Pyrenees Explorer, Epic Roads and Classic Cities.
Spain & France
Pyrenees Explorer, Epic Roads and Classic Cities.
Spain & France
Find out more about Magellan Guides
You start in Plymouth for the overnight ferry cruise to Santander. Arriving in Sunny Spain in the afternoon you have a leisurely ride to your hotel base outside the city of Pamplona.
The next morning your adventure proper begins, riding a series of roads voted by local bikers as the best in the country as you make your way east towards the principality of Andorra. Sweeping bends, long straights, short tunnels and then an afternoon of exceptional roads and small villages are order of the day as you climb high into the Pyrenees.
After a good night’s sleep, the morning is free to explore Andorra, nestled high on the border with France and Spain. If you have space in your bags it's well worth taking advantage of the endless duty-free shopping possibilities while you're here! You hit the road again in the afternoon to ride the legendary N260 which winds its way through the valleys and over the passes of the high Pyrenees affording some spectacular views.
After spending the night in an out-of-season ski resort, you set off in the morning to ride the high passes over the border into France for lunch. Then more super twisty roads and high passes in the afternoon to bring you back over the border into Spain and to your hotel in King Juan Carlos’ favourite ski resort.
The beautiful Roman city of Pamplona
The next morning sees you again following the local bikers favourite routes crossing into France and then more epic roads to the picture-perfect French town of Saint-Jean Pied-du-Port. In the afternoon you loop back into Spain and descend from the high Pyrenees to the Roman city of Pamplona, arriving in time to begin exploring.
Your last morning in Spain is free to explore the lovely city of Pamplona, famous for its Roman ruins and annual bull run, before setting off after lunch to catch the evening ferry for your overnight crossing back to the UK.
The Pyrenees harbour some of the best and quietest biking roads in the whole of Europe, so why not escape the British weather and explore the high passes of the Basque country with Magellan?
Tour highlights
Explore the legendary Pyrenees on some of the best biking roads, as voted by local bikers.
Visit the tiny, fiercely independent, principality of Andorra, perched high in the mountains between France and Spain.
Cross the natural barrier between France and Spain on the high passes, with their breath-taking views and spectacular empty roads.
'I loved riding the Pyrenees. Not only did i get to see both France and Spain all in one trip, but I also rode the high passes and over the Pyrenees which were fabulous and a tick in the box! thank you.'Andrew G
Tour Map / Itinerary
Full Itinerary
Day 1
Start in Plymouth for the overnight ferry cruise to Santander in sunny Spain. Accommodation in an en-suite cabin included.
Day 2 165 Miles
Leaving the ferry at Santander, cruise through the Spanish countryside to your hotel on the outskirts of Pamplona.
Day 3 258 Miles
Into the mountains proper on some of the best biking roads in Europe, as you parallel the French border and head to the tiny independent principality of Andorra.
Day 4 106 Miles
Explore beautiful Andorra in the morning, and then ride the fantastic N260 with its sublime curves and breath-taking views to Castejon de Sos in the high Pyrenees.
Day 5 157 Miles
Ride the high passes and cross the border into France and then back into Spain in the afternoon to your hotel in the ski resort favoured by King Juan Carlos.
Day 6 146 Miles
Another day in the high passes, crossing into France for lunch and then heading back to Spain in the afternoon to your hotel in the Roman city of Pamplona.
Day 7 158 Miles
After a morning exploring Pamplona, head back to Santander for the overnight ferry back to the UK.
Day 8
Arrive in UK for your final ride home.
Common questions about this trip
When is the best time of year to do this trip?
May to September as a rule (with August being too hot for most people) although April and October can work with a dash of luck. The limiting factor with these trips is the start and end dates of the Brittany Ferries timetable for their crossings over the Bay of Biscay.
Is what I hear about the Spanish not eating until 10pm correct?
The Spanish do indeed eat late, in fact it’s not unusual for people to go out for dinner at 11pm or later. We’ve tailored the trip to take in English sensibilities and rumbling bellys after a long day’s ride and you will normally be able to find somewhere to eat around 8-8:30pm.
Can I get a different crossing on this trip?
Of course, while the crossing from Plymouth on the way out and returning to Portsmouth on the way back allows you to fit the tour into 8 days and arrive at a sensible time we know that Plymouth doesn’t suit everyone. If you would like to make your own arrangements to get over to Spain and join the route at the hotel on the first night near Santander just let us know in the comments section of your booking form and we will deduct the cost of the included crossing from your booking.