Motorcycle routes in northern Spain: Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees

For riders based in Portugal, northern Spain is the natural next step: the Picos de Europa are a day’s ride from Porto, and the Pyrenees are the big summer destination. These are proper mountain roads, with high passes, gorges and very little traffic outside August.

Picos de Europa

The Grand Picos Loop is the classic: a full day through the Los Beyos gorge, past the Riaño reservoir and over the San Glorio pass at 1,609 m, with the descent to Potes.

If you only have half a day, ride the La Hermida gorge to Potes and climb to Fuente Dé, where the road ends at the foot of the cable car.

The Pyrenees

In the Aragonese Pyrenees, the Tena valley climbs from Jaca to the French border at the Col du Pourtalet (1,794 m), facing the Pic du Midi d’Ossau.

Further east, the N-260 crosses the Cotefablo pass and enters Torla, the gateway to Ordesa National Park, before ending in the medieval town of Aínsa.

And in Catalonia, the Port de la Bonaigua at 2,072 m is one of the great climbs of the range, down to the Val d’Aran.

When to go and what to pack

• The best season is June to September. Outside it, the highest passes can have snow or be closed.
• Even in summer it’s cold at the top of the passes and the weather changes fast: pack a thermal layer and waterproofs.
• August has the most traffic and the most expensive accommodation. June and September are ideal.
• Mountain towns have petrol stations, but not every valley does. Fill up before each pass.