Suggested routes for Spain?
 

Just an idea but I was initially thinking of trying to get down to Morocco from Edinburgh for my paltry 2 week hols but after futher thought, I don't really fancy 4 days of solid riding at each end so:

If I took the ferry down to Santander and had maybe 10 days or so to bumble around some of Spain, assuming I don't want to visit the big cities or the Costa del whatever areas, what areas would the HUBBers recommend which would take in some mountains, coast line (ie some beaches) plus some gravel roads, some camping etc?

Couple of ideas:

France, Pyrenees & Picos de Europa. - ADVrider

3rd European AdvRider Rally - Pyrenees 2007 - ADVrider

4th European Advrider Rally in the Pyrenees - ADVrider

Can't recommend Spain highly enough, Pyrenees is better than the Picos for offroading.

Thanks Steve,

I'll have a read of those to get some ideas (just looking at the photos of those GSs reminds me how big and bloody heavy the GS is off road- give me back my DR you thieving b*stards!!)

Cheers

Mike:

I really highly recommend the area of Spain that is directly north of Portugal - I think the region is called Galicia. There is a very mountainous area in there called 'Picos de Europa', it is awesome riding.

You might also want to consider poking your head into Northern Portugal. I have always had pleasant tours in Northern Portugal, the roads are generally good (and can be quite challenging), good food, lodging, etc. and not too expensive. People are friendly.

Michael

I've taken the Santander ferry several times. It's a great way to start your holiday, and to wind down after it. It would make a nice break given the motorway slog from Edinburgh to Plymouth. Food on board is good and cheap.

As has already been pointed out, the Picos start almost right outside Santander. I know you said you wanted to abvoid the cities and the Costas but Spanish cities are fantastic places to use as overnight stops. You could do worse than head for Salamanca on your first day. It's an architecturally stunning university city (30,000 Spanish students make for a lively night scene), and there are some cheap hostels/pensions smack bang in the centre. There are some hefty bars to chain your bike to. Or you could pay much more and get a hotel with underground parking.

Road signs in Spain will, surprise surprise, put you on and keep you on the motorways. I hate motorways. I found the best way to navigate the A and B roads was to know which village was next and follow signs to it. It's a bit fiddly, but you get to see the "real" Spain.

After Salamanca, Spain is your oyster. Caceres is beautiful (the central old walled bit anyway). Then there's Seville, Cordoba, Toledo....there's just so much to see in Spain. And it's difficult to go wrong with the roads.

Don't try to see everything in this, your first trip. Save some for another time. You will return.

Definitely the Picos de Europa is one of the most beautiful areas in Spain to ride. Mountains, beautiful scenery and delicious food (unless you are vegetarian). The Picos are in Asturias and not the same thing as Galicia, which is further east, but very close. It also deserves a loop and North of Portugal. In Galicia roads are worse, but not terrible. And on top of that it is not as hot as the rest of the peninsula in summer.

Enjoy yourself.