Ireland to Faro in Portugal - Route advice please!

[Declan]

Hi All,
Were a Dad and 12 year old daughter pair, both fairly seasoned travelers planning a relatively leisurely 2,500 Km trip from Ireland to Faro in Portugal in June next, camping/cooking all the way - taking about 12 days to get there.

The route I had in mind is coastal from Roscoff in France south to Biarritz then along the northern coast of Spain and down the west coast of Portugal to Faro.

We really prefer remote areas and mountainous and challenging roads, wild beaches, quaint villages or towns, preferring to stay away from the chaos of large cities and motorways although were always up for a touch n'go coffee and hot chocolate in the center of a big city just to quickly sample the feel of it.

I'm not sure if the route described would check all the boxes as we've never been and would appreciate any helpful advice on this route or suggestions of alternate route options or recommended things to see.

Really appreciate the help!

[palace15]

For getting an idea of routes I often use 'google' maps, and then use them to make up my own road book, sometimes I just use my Tom Tom set to 'winding roads' with a place name entered.

[John933]

I do Faro twice a year, from the UK. Tell me are you going with a side car or a bike? With a 12 year old a side car may be just the thing. Get a lot more on the bike. If I was in your position and had a chair. Would think of a lot different route than just a bike.
John933

[Declan]

Originally Posted by John933

I do Faro twice a year, from the UK. Tell me are you going with a side car or a bike? With a 12 year old a side car may be just the thing. Get a lot more on the bike. If I was in your position and had a chair. Would think of a lot different route than just a bike.
John933

Hi John933
No, just GS1200 - she had done many miles as pillion and we travel light even with cooking/camping there is no issue. Don't like the concept of a side car as restricts us from using backwater mountain trails...

What route have you used?

[Pongo]

Travelling the west of France is really not very interesting unless you are prepared to take some considerable time. The coast is very touristy most of the way down, but the through routes down via Bordeaux to Biarritz are great quality roads ( Auto routes/departmental roads), although nothing much to see unless you get off the beaten track and explore.( it's a flat coastline). After Biarritz and into the Pyrennees the scenery changes, and the north coast of Spain along the Picos past Gijon to the Asturias is much more dramatic. I can't comment on Portugal as I've not ridden down that way. If you wanted to have more time to explore and your budget can afford it, it is possibly an idea to consider taking the ferry from St Nazaire in N.W France to Gijon, and spend a bit of time in the Picos/Asturias, you won't be disappointed, but it could be starting to get busy as it's very popular from May right through to the end of September.

Whatever you do, enjoy!

[John933]

Originally Posted by Declan

Hi John933
No, just GS1200 - she had done many miles as pillion and we travel light even with cooking/camping there is no issue. Don't like the concept of a side car as restricts us from using backwater mountain trails...

What route have you used?

What you need to do is get down to San Sebastian. And cross in to Spain. To be honest there's not that many way you can go. Follow your sat nav, and look out for F1 hotel's. They are going to be much the much the same as a camp site pitch. But you get a warm bed and a shower. A camp site may give you a discount if you stay for more than two three day's. And it's not unheard of to camp for free on some of the site. I,E, no one around find a pitch a bit away from the office and out of site. Two three day's later pack up and ride out. I've done it on more than one occasion. Week end's seam the best bet. After that fly camping in Spain is not that hard. Look for the lorry park's off of the major road. You can usually find a pice of grass at the back to stick up a tent. Out of sight is out of mind. You may get told it's not right. But the best or worse you will get is. You can stay to night but move on in the morning. Load's to place's to eat and drink. So food is no problem. It's an adventure treat it as such and you will be surprised how well and easy it will go. Start looking round 5 PM for a place to stop. Some not so back road's will have small wood's on one side. I look out for these and slow down looking for a fire break in the wood. Take the bike down one of them. In the next 100 yard's will be another off shoot. Stop there, it will give you enough room to pitch and walk round. Remember to turn the bike round last thing at night pointing the way. It's easer to pack and then ride straight out. Then try and turn the bike round loaded. You'll have a great time. And some time's you'll cry and a few more you will laugh. That's what it's all about.
John933
John933

[gspod]

I agree that the west side of France is both touristy and not that exciting. You could get the ferry from Ireland to Brittany and then the St Naz-Gjion. We did the St-G last year and it was cheap and comfortable.
When you arrive you'll be far enough west to be away from the tourists and into the traditional fishing villages of Austurias/Galicia. Inland from here are lovely mountains with only livestock and wildlife for company.

Pop into Santiago de Compostela on the way down (worth a look). Northern Portugal is great, check out the mountain range in the north east corner (can't remember the name off hand) and definitely do the Duoro valley.

I haven't been any further south than that in Portugal so can't comment I'm afraid. Camping has much improved in Spain and Portugal over the last few years so should not be a problem , although they can get busy at peak season weekends.

There is a guy on the UKGS forum you will send you a map of off road trails the entire lenghth of Portugal if that's you're thing.

Personally I like Spain so would suggest to pop in there at some time on your way down.

Enjoy

[gspod]

I have just read previous post.
I strongly recommend that you do not wild camp in Spain with a minor - especially where there are lorries. Spain is going through a major financial depression and there are a lot of itinerant workers and no work available.

In October 2013 we spent 3 weeks doing a 3000 mile tour round Spain, even on the campsites there were men going through the bins (very sad), although we never felt that our stuff was unsafe.

As for not paying at a campsite - well you're conscience and karma will dictate your actions but I feel that things are bad enough in Spain, to steal their livelyhood as well !!!!!

[jazzmd]

I'm based in Lisbon. Toured Portugal last October for three weeks.

PM if you'd like.

[luckyluke84]

Hiya

Yes I agree, the Pyrinees have some amazing winding roads (try and get "lost" on the small ones when going from France into Spain). And then there is an amazing tiny little road along the rocky coast from San Sebastian to Sopelana (next to Bilbao). It goes past the campsite in San Sebastian (well its just outside of town to the west up a hill on the coast). Don't follow signs directly to Bilbao, stick to the coast.

We went from London to Lieria in Portugal August 2013. Here's our blog: Portugal Summer 2013 | followingtarmac We've roughly included the route but if you want more info, just PM

Have a great trip!

[John933]

Originally Posted by gspod

I have just read previous post.
I strongly recommend that you do not wild camp in Spain with a minor - especially where there are lorries. Spain is going through a major financial depression and there are a lot of itinerant workers and no work available.

In October 2013 we spent 3 weeks doing a 3000 mile tour round Spain, even on the campsites there were men going through the bins (very sad), although we never felt that our stuff was unsafe.

As for not paying at a campsite - well you're conscience and karma will dictate your actions but I feel that things are bad enough in Spain, to steal their livelyhood as well !!!!!

I know this is an old post. But for the sake of my-self and other's, I find I must post. If there was a religion called Karma it would be mine. I well believe that what go's round come's round. As to the camp site thing. When I pull in to a site I don't have it in my mind to rip the guy off, or get a few night's for free. But it so happen, that's what come's about. One in mind under the bridge at Millau on the A 75, in France. I pulled in to a site. No one about. And that was riding round looking. Found the office, but that was closed. In the end I see a chap with a broom and a bin cart. So asked about putting up a tent. Not only did he tell me where but walked over to the pitch and showed me. Said about paying, latter is about all I got. So latter it was. I think I stayed three night's there. Each day asking about paying, each time told latter. On the last day when I could not stay any longer. I packed up, me and the bike. Knew where the man lived in one of the bungalow's on site. Stopped knocked on his door and asked about paying. He just shook his head and told me to go. That what I mean about you can get some of them for free. I have a few more like that. Come the week end, show you a small area to pitch your tent. Come to pay. Only to be told it was free that day. It look's like the French like to help people who travel.
John933