Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Pyranees in late May....good idea? Pyranees in late May....good idea?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Michael Jordan, enjoying a meal at sunset, Zangskar Valley, India

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Michael Jordan
enjoying a meal at sunset,
Zangskar Valley, India



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Simon_100

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Oct 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 6
Pyranees in late May....good idea?
About to book ferry tickets from the UK to Bilbao for the last week of May. The plan is, between now and then, to obtain a good loop through the mountains to do off-road over 6 days.

Just wondering.....will late May be ok for weather or still snow up high?

And the ferry sails at midday and arrives the next day at 1pm......I’m 3hrs ride from the port in the UK.....I figure if I’m in Bilbao at 1pm I can get a few hours in that day and be on good fun tracks the following day?

So I leave the UK Wed morning, ferry that day......Bilbao Thu 1pm......Friday morning I’m off road having fun......the following Thu I sail from Bilbao at 1pm so a good weeks riding? Time enough for a good chunk of riding?

Most of this I can plan over the next few months......just want to get tickets sorted - all sound ok?


Or.....sudden thought.....is it best to head West to the Picos? Ferry to Santander.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 Oct 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
This was late March in Luodenville and there was no snow on any of the route of the tour de France but right up high where the ski resorts were still had plenty of snow and several of the up and over routes from Spain were still closed by snow
so by May you will be pretty clear depending how off-road you want to go
__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Oct 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,108
I'm no expert on the Pyrenees but where we are in the Alps late May would usually be a bit early for any of the high routes - on or off road - to be open. The ski season doesn't finish until the end of April and unless you get a heatwave year three weeks isn't usually enough to melt the rest of the snow. In any case May is probably my least favourite month in the mountains; everything just looks miserable after being covered up for four or five months.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 Nov 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 16
I was at the Pyrenees & sourroundings May 29 - June 4. It was overcast most days with daily (medium to heavy)showers and extreme cold. .. And a few mountains still have snow.
great ride though. Do pack a raingear & Enjoy your ride!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Jan 2018
Simon_100's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Spain
Posts: 107
No serious problems in the Spanish Pyrenees in late May as almost all of the trails are under 2,000 metres and the snow only lingers above 2,500 on north facing slopes. Although there can be freak snow storms these melt the following day.

There aren't many trails in Cantabria so the Pyrenees are your best bet. It's also worth getting clear of The Basque Country and Navarre, i.e. beyond Pamplona, before looking for trails.

Regs

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

The Spanish Biker LLP: Events, Guide and Support Services
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Apr 2018
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 5
Hi
Last edited by bengtstefanp; 1 Apr 2018 at 15:11.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 1 Apr 2018
jkrijt's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 638
In May 22 2013 I was riding from Lourdes in France to Zaragoza in Spain and on the road I took, only some of the mountainpasses were opened and some were closed for traffic because of the snow.
The weather was cold and wet on the French side of the mountains but sunny and dry on the Spanish side.
https://jkrijt.home.xs4all.nl/trips/...rg/page9.shtml
__________________
Jan Krijtenburg

My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide

My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 1 Apr 2018
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 5
Hi.
A late replay but here it comes.
I was in the Pyrenees last year and I arived i may 26 via Bayonne and traveld from there east towords Carrcasonne.
All the time I was there it was perfekt. For three weeks.
A bitt cold but perfekt. 95% of the time it was sunny all day, fantastic.
I traveld over a few passes around 2500 meter the highest so there it was cold
but as soon I got down on the other side, nice again.
Lots of border crossings...france...spain...france...spain...ando rra and so on.
You will arrive alittle bit later then me but I am shure that it will be great.

Best regards and have a nice trip

StefanP
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 1 Apr 2018
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 5
Hi.
A late replay but here it comes.
I was in the Pyrenees last year and I arived i may 26 via Bayonne and traveld from there east towords Carrcasonne.
All the time I was there it was perfekt. For three weeks.
A bitt cold but perfekt. 95% of the time it was sunny all day, fantastic.
I traveld over a few passes around 2500 meter the highest so there it was cold
but as soon I got down on the other side, nice again.
Lots of border crossings...france...spain...france...spain...ando rra and so on.
You will arrive alittle bit later then me but I am shure that it will be great.

Best regards and have a nice trip

StefanP
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 1 Apr 2018
Simon_100's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Spain
Posts: 107
Quote:
Originally Posted by bengtstefanp View Post
Hi.
A late replay but here it comes.
I was in the Pyrenees last year and I arived i may 26 via Bayonne and traveld from there east towords Carrcasonne.
All the time I was there it was perfekt. For three weeks.
A bitt cold but perfekt. 95% of the time it was sunny all day, fantastic.
I traveld over a few passes around 2500 meter the highest so there it was cold
but as soon I got down on the other side, nice again.
Lots of border crossings...france...spain...france...spain...ando rra and so on.
You will arrive alittle bit later then me but I am shure that it will be great.

Best regards and have a nice trip

StefanP
Yup, that sums it up nicely, late May is about the best time to be here. But this winter has been weird here, relatively mild and very wet. Over the past twenty-odd years I've experienced a few winters like these and I have a rather unscientific theory that it presages a wet spring and summer. So pack your waterproofs ...

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 1 Apr 2018
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon_100 View Post
Yup, that sums it up nicely, late May is about the best time to be here. But this winter has been weird here, relatively mild and very wet. Over the past twenty-odd years I've experienced a few winters like these and I have a rather unscientific theory that it presages a wet spring and summer. So pack your waterproofs ...

Simon
Simon. Question about the pyrenees.
Next time I go there I will go west from Bayonne and look at that part.
Is the mountain range look the same or is there a differens?

StefanP
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2 Apr 2018
Simon_100's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Spain
Posts: 107
I take it you're talking about the Basque Country and Navarre? If so then yes, the mountains are less high, but still BIG, the range is more narrow, it's much more green - take the hint and pack your waterproofs! - there are many more passes between France and Spain, the vernacular architecture is totally different, i.e. half timbered houses, and the food and people are great.

So go, go, go. My favourite place to base myself to explore is Ochagavia but if you fancy a city break go to San Sebastian. Be careful of the Roncevalles pass, especially in the morning when it's clogged up with pilgrims on the Way of St James to Santiago.

Enjoy

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

The Spanish Biker LLP: Events, Guide and Support Services
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 4 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 4 guests)
 

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
how to make a good film out of your trips omar mansour Photo Forum 30 18 Oct 2022 16:02
85 Honda Goldwing with trailer- a good idea in Central America? cassidyj Central America and Mexico 8 9 Sep 2015 13:43
Is this a bad idea? Newbie has a dream (Yamaha related) pdanjou Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 18 26 May 2015 09:59
Cape Town r1100rs Ride Tales 1 28 Jan 2013 10:50
Egyptian around 30 states Heeso North America 6 13 Nov 2011 01:06

 
 

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:

2025:

  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 03:15.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top