Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
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 Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By To Shi

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 May 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Hungary
Posts: 31
Eastern Spain route advice needed

Hi All,

I will move my bike north from Malaga to Hungary and would like to plan the route especially in Spain between Malaga - Barcelona driving on the east side of Spain. Mostly I would like to avoid direct costal road and ride a bit inland est from Madrid.
If you could propose some scenic landscape spots or routes to include in the route that would be fine (like Cuenca etc.)

thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 May 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Rhine-Neckar Delta, Germany
Posts: 2
Hi amilk,

we've been to Spain and back last year in June-July for four weeks, although we didn't go as far down as Malaga. Our southernmost point was Alicante.

From there to the north, the seaside roads are definitely crap and packed with campervans, while the lower mountain ranges a little inward are beautiful, practically deserted and there's a lot of really beautiful scenic places (although most of them are not really famous). Pick any smaller roads and you will not be disappointed. I planned a lot ahead, and in reality we just took the roads we found fit to get us north, and were happy. Of course, like this, we haven't seen all of the roads there, but we were amazed by the beauty of the ones we picked most of the time. Not much to go wrong.

Be aware though, that there you will find solitude to a point where you will not find a commercial place to sleep or put up your tent. Same applies to petrol in some stretches there, so prepare for the odd longer leg without being able to refuel too.

Plan to cross the Pyrenees a little inward too, although this might mean to miss Barcelona. There's "Col D'Ares" which is sufficiently beautiful, if you don't want to go too far to the west.

A little more impressive are the cols Tourmalet and the other famous (Tour de France) ones (as well as the less famous smaller ones around there) which you will probably reach best via the Bielsa Tunnel (A-138/D173).

There's a Campsite in Roda de Isabena (Camping de Isabena) on which we stayed for a couple of days to explore the surrounding pyrenees. There, they offer a ride in a small helicopter for a very reasonable price, and i can't recommend it enough! It's just a great thing to do. Also, the Canyon d'Anisclo is a very scenic highlight close to this site. Plus you have a lot of smaller gravel roads of different difficulty levels around there, if you're fond of leaving the tarmac behind for a change.

Two of my favourite scenic roads in Spain were the BV-1221 connecting Manresa and Terassa (southbound, in our case, note the campsite close to Talamanca, which we dubbed "Camping de los muertes", as there were only four live persons, including us, and lots of desperately deserted trailers and tents reminding us of a Zombie movie - beautiful spot to stay... ), and the A-1606 connecting Benabarres and Laguarres (northbound, note the view over the plain towards the Pyrenees right after the highest point, after the left turn - not the safest place to stop and watch, but the view is well worth it.).

As general rule (at least for this part of Spain): If the landscape is flat, it will be a boring ride, but faster. You will find a bit more infrastructure, and it can be very hot and windy in the plains. Take the more mountainous roads to enjoy amazing scenery. It will be a lot slower, a bit cooler, and you will be on your own more often.

I wish you a good, safe and inspiring trip
__________________
토씨 (To Shi)
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
Transafrica - Eastern Route Mike Walkabout Route Planning 10 1 Mar 2015 22:26
Help needed in Eastern Tajikistan?? Tiffany Northern and Central Asia 4 5 Oct 2013 21:35
Advice needed on timeframe for Southern Africa route ddziewan sub-Saharan Africa 6 26 Jul 2013 09:43
Nth India , Nepal route advice please thevenerabledrwu Route Planning 5 29 Jun 2013 14:38
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 16:51

 
 

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 15:51.