Pyrenees, October 2022
The next trip to the Pyrenees and again with Marcellus and Extreme-Tours.
This time we set out to do the whole route from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic and back. So we have a mixture of known and new.
The weather is very gracious to us this time. In the morning it is quite fresh and there is morning fog but then the sun comes out and it becomes very pleasant. Only on the last 100 kilometers we have some rain.
Here is a video with all 2900 pictures taken during our tour compiled in five minutes
We are a group of 10 people this time
The journey to the starting point in Perpignan on the Mediterranean Sea is, as always, quite exhausting and time-consuming. I drive across the country to Franz. The next morning we continue by car and trailer to Perpignan, where we arrive in the afternoon.
The rest of the group drives from Munich, Duisburg and Frankfurt first to Gresse-en-Vercors, stays overnight in the hotel Le Chalet and the next day they continue to Perpignan.
The first day of the tour takes us on the coastal road along the Mediterranean Sea to Spain.
Before that, we pass the Tour Madeloc. The road is new to us. Last year we could not drive it because of a fallen tree. Magnificent view of the French Mediterranean coast from there.
In Spain we turn away from the coast into the mountains and we drive over the first passes. Beautiful as always and in brilliant light especially splendid is the Col de la Creueta, which we reach in the afternoon shortly before our destination Prullans.
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A well-known route.
The morning fog creates a great atmosphere in the valley, but quickly disappears.
In France we pass the Port de Pailhères. Then we continue towards and through Andorra with the magnificent pass Col d'Ordino.
Lunch is a bit difficult but we find something nice in Spain.
Then it goes pretty quickly via Puerto del Cantó, Port de la Bonaigua and two more passes to the Hotel Ciria in Benasque, where again a great menu for dinner awaits us.
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Now we're off to the Basque country.
But before that we drive the great Tour de France passes Col d'Aspin, Col du Tourmalet, Col du Soulor and Col d'Aubisque.
In the territory new to me, the beauty and solitude of the Col d'Arthaburu near the border between France and Spain surprises me.
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The highlight in two respects.
We reach the Atlantic Ocean and we reach Sos del Rey Católico, a medieval town on a hill with the most beautiful hotel of the tour.
However, we have to work hard to get there. The roads around San Sebastian are really clogged with cars and are no fun at all. After reaching the Atlantic Ocean, however, the ride becomes more pleasant.
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We have to make distance in order to progress back towards the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, we ride some highway-like roads (autovias). However, some bumpy roads hold us up a bit. Especially the road away from Sos del Rey Católico is very unpleasant to drive.
This is compensated by magnificent passes like the Col de Montllobar, the Coll de Bóixols and surprisingly at the end of the day's stage the Coll de la Trava, which was very rough two years ago and can now be driven nicely.
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The last day of the tour takes us from Spain to Andorra, France, Spain to France back to the Mediterranean Sea in Perpignan. We are somewhat decimated in the group. Marcus drives ahead and Andi has to change tires in Andorra.
So we drive as a group of three and enjoy the beautiful roads at the border between France and Spain near Puigcerda.
In the evening the trailers are loaded again and we have a nice dinner together.
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Again two days. First it goes with car and trailer from Perpignan 1200 kilometers (750 miles) back to Franz in the Westerwald.
The next day I drive the remaining 600 kilometers (375 miles) from there home to Berlin. Again I have morning fog and crisp cold in the morning and later brilliant sun and beautiful fall colors.
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