Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree10Likes
  • 8 Post By ondoibili
  • 2 Post By Simon_100

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Aug 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Africa
Posts: 138
Spain, Portugal and france dirt roads?

Would love to get info on dirt roads to ride in the countries. Just got out of Africa and asphalt is spawn of satan. Would love to stick to dirt as far as possible or at least try and keep to it to get rid of the boring asphalt.

Plan is to go down from Amsterdam to France, then Portugal, Spain and then back to Germany.
__________________
12 reasons to follow us www.pikipiki.co.za
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 31 Aug 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Madrid
Posts: 58
I live here in Spain and have done a lot of dirty tracks in Spain, but you have to have in mind that to ride off-road here in Spain it is illegal in a lot of places, so it is more funny, jejeje.

If you need more info or help, don't hesitate to contact with me.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Sep 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Africa
Posts: 138
that's no good, not even normal dirt roads?
__________________
12 reasons to follow us www.pikipiki.co.za
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Sep 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bilbao
Posts: 56
Transportugal

If you want legal dirt roads go straight to Portugal.
There is a dirt road crossing the country from north to south.



Basauritik mundura... motorrez: la TRANSPORTUGAL en moto

Regards.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Sep 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Africa
Posts: 138
thanks that is exactly what we will do
__________________
12 reasons to follow us www.pikipiki.co.za
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Sep 2013
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,326
Sign up to and have a browse at Wikiloc - GPS trails and waypoints of the World

You might find stuff that's of use.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Sep 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: London
Posts: 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by ondoibili View Post
If you want legal dirt roads go straight to Portugal.
There is a dirt road crossing the country from north to south.



Basauritik mundura... motorrez: la TRANSPORTUGAL en moto

Regards.

That's a great route mate. I used to live in Spain and never have heard of it! Now thinking about going down there and go through it to visit my family in Seville!
I believe the link takes you to your blog, doesnt it? Very impressive trips described in there!
What's next?

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Sep 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: London
Posts: 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by michnus View Post
thanks that is exactly what we will do
Hi,

Do you have a route already planned for France? Is there anything similiar to this "Transportugal" that ondoibili mentioned?

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 6 Sep 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South Africa
Posts: 138
hebo, I have no route planned yet. Basics is want to go from Amsterdam to France, then into Portugal down to Spain and back up to France and into Germany to store bikes in Munich again in late Nov.
__________________
12 reasons to follow us www.pikipiki.co.za
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 9 Sep 2013
Simon_100's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Spain
Posts: 107
Quote:
Originally Posted by michnus View Post
that's no good, not even normal dirt roads?
Sadly Spain is compicated but by no means impossible. One of the keys is to understand that each of the seventeen autonomous regions makes its own laws on top of the national laws - no wonder the country is in a mess

But her's the lowdown - hope you're sitting comfortable before you begin!

Regs

Simon
__________________
The Spanish Biker - the invaluable guide to motorcycling in Spain.

The Spanish Biker LLP: Events, Guide and Support Services
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 27 Jan 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by ondoibili View Post
If you want legal dirt roads go straight to Portugal.
There is a dirt road crossing the country from north to south.

Basauritik mundura... motorrez: la TRANSPORTUGAL en moto

Regards.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSpanishBiker View Post
Sadly Spain is compicated but by no means impossible. One of the keys is to understand that each of the seventeen autonomous regions makes its own laws on top of the national laws - no wonder the country is in a mess

But her's the lowdown - hope you're sitting comfortable before you begin!

Regs

Simon
Ondoibili & Simon - thank you guys so much for sharing your info. A friend & I hope to do a trip that may take the shape of something like starting in northern France, down through western France to northern Spain, across to Portugal, and down to Gibraltar, then back through central Spain & France, spending as much time off road as possible, in rural rather than urban areas.

Ondoibili's route through Portugal seems simply perfect for what we have in mind - your pics make me excited to travel that route.

Simon's blog provides info on the Castilla De Mancha & Aragon regions of Spain - once we get to actual route-planning (and past the utter-noob-bike-traveler phase we're currently at), we'll certainly be hitting your site for info on off road possibilities through those regions (and probably requesting even more info... ).


Thanks again guys. Yay forums!

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11 Feb 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 18
I'm thinking of doing something similar, and found the Portuguese route on wikiloc, which also appears to have loads through the Pyrenees. Not looked much at France yet.

I'm looking at leaving the UK mid August, thraveling through France and Spain heading for Morocco, then up through Portugal on my way back and maybe catch the Frey back from Spain late September. If your plan is around the same time, maybe we could meet up for a bit?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Feb 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Hey Ron. Unless my financial fortunes make a dramatic overnight U-turn, it'll be a good year or more before we're in a position to take our trip.

I love the research & planning of any trip, whether a camping or hiking trip or even just a family vacation, so for now that's all I can do. Of course, a 3500-mile trip on motorbikes with my best mate is probably the most exciting type of trip to plan.

Good luck with your trip - travel safe.


Mark
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 13 Mar 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Winchester
Posts: 42
Transportugal????

Hi all
WOW that looks an amazing route. Has anyone done it recently and if so how long does it take, can you get fuel, food, water easily?
I would love to do some or all of this route in the summer.
Ben
__________________
To judge a man by his lowest ebb or deed is to judge the ocean by just one wave
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 25 Mar 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 6
Spain are around San Sebastían in the north and Tarifa in the south. I know the area around Tarifa very well and it really is a surfers paradise....lots of people from many different countries go there for surfing. There's also a good few campsites there.

Casual work will be very hard to come across in France or Spain. Many immigrants, who usually work for a lot less, can't even get casual work.

Driving around the mediterranean coast is great, but there's no surfing.
The atlantic coasts of France, Spain and Portugal are best.

Just make sure the car is well serviced and that the tyres have good threads. Years ago I drove around Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Austria, Germany and back over France with a tent and stayed in campsites all over.
__________________
Map of Ireland with towns
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Spain, France, Italy.. boxer750 Route Planning 4 8 Aug 2013 22:16
Spain, Portugal, Morocco tips and suggestions please gopdebeek Route Planning 30 2 Jul 2013 20:13
Spain and Morocco leaving 31st from UK anyone around? kewykewy Travellers Seeking Travellers 6 25 Oct 2012 00:11
From London to Western France, Spain & Portugal - Aug 19 - Sep 7 CafeMaster Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 17 Aug 2012 23:27
Southern Spain back to UK Sept 19th-30th jc_bromley Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 16 Aug 2012 23:48

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:10.