Best crossing of the Pyrenees in an 8m motorhome

Youbecome
Youbecome Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited August 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi there.

This is a question for the motorhomers out there. What is the loveliest crossing of the Pyrenees without the complete stress of tiny roads and narrow passing places? We have an 8m motorhome and are travelling down to Barcelona but wanted to take a detour
through the mountains. We'd love to cross some mountains but just need to be advised by people who have already done it. I am a pretty competent driver and not nervous of driving in mountains provided the roads are sensible and not too narrow. 

Thanks in advance for any help.

Comments

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #2

    I have used 5 crossing points so far so I can tell you the least scenic and one to avoid of these but whether the other two are scenically the best I wouldn't know but I would rate the Vielha tunnel route as being ok for an 8meter motorhome and the most
    scenic I have tried. I wouldn't use the Port del Portalet  to Biescas and the Somport whilst doable is pretty boring on the Spanish side but scenic on the French side but does have one or two narrow sections which need care.

    peedee

  • Youbecome
    Youbecome Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited August 2016 #3

    Thanks peedee. Much appreciated.

    Do you know what road number that is? We'll be coming from the French side, so where would we be aiming for if we did the
    Vielha tunnel route? 

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #4

    The D132 over the Col de Pierre St Martin impress most people - you would start from Oloron Ste Marie. There's a video on U tube taken from a motorbike showing you what it's like  - the dotted white line in the middle of the road is encouraging. 

    The Tour de France has been that way too, so motor homes aplenty would have been parked up there to watch. In fact if you look up all the passes  where le Tour has been then hundreds of motor homes will have gone to all of them. Be bold! 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #5

    Thanks peedee. Much appreciated.

    Do you know what road number that is? We'll be coming from the French side, so where would we be aiming for if we did the
    Vielha tunnel route? 

    Your welcome, you need to head for Montrejeau just off the A64 and take the D33/N125 to Spain. What time of year are you planning the trip?

    Peedee

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #6

    The D132 over the Col de Pierre St Martin impress most people - you would start from Oloron Ste Marie. There's a video on U tube taken from a motorbike showing you what it's like  - the dotted white line in the middle of the road is encouraging. 

    I think that is the one which goes to the Port del Portalet and Biecas  which I wouldn't do again.  I did it in a 7.5metre 3 foot high motorhome and lost a wing mirror on a very bad narrow section with an overhanging cliff on one side and a sheer drop on the otherside only protected by an insignificant low wall. I do agree it was an interesting route with a great stop off point at the top where the vultures fly.

    peedee

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #7

    Just checked my maps and I am incorrect. Col de Pierre St Martin is the next pass to the west of Portalet. Looks a very twisty but difficult to judge the width on the maps other than it is a minor route.

    peedee

  • Youbecome
    Youbecome Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited August 2016 #8

    Thanks both. We will be down there this time next week. Can't wait!!!

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #9

    I'm afraid I would disagree with peedee on the Somport being boring on the Spanish side, we thought it lovely, better than the French side, we were travelling North from Spain to France, very doable in a M/H. We also like coming down the coast from Biaritz then across Spain to Zaragoza, going through the mountains was lovely as is the drive from Zaragoza to Barcelona.

    PS we did both of these in a 6.6m M/H pulling a motorbike on a trailer.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #10

    While I agree it does have some views, especially if travelling north into France, the French side of the Somport is the more interesting. My ouitlook may well be jaded having used this route several times both north and south in winter and summer. The last
    time was in June this year.

    peedee

  • Landyrover
    Landyrover Forum Participant Posts: 143
    edited August 2016 #11

    If you do use the route through Vielha, there is a good site (ACSI) Camping Vernada, a few ks before you reach Vielha coming from France. We have used the route for the last couple of years towing a 7m caravan without a problem.

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