safe driving around Pyrenees?

From Lourdes to Cirque de Gavarnie the road is perfectly normal and safe just like 99% of the roads in the Pyrenees.

Sorry to disappoint you, maybe you expect a dirt track with wild animals :))

We drove around the Pyrenees last year. There were no issues. Beautiful views and quaint towns.

EDITED TO ADD: The road/highway out of Spain into France from Elizondo to St. Jean Pied de Port was gorgeous. It was one lane in many places with pull outs. Surprisingly, there were farm vehicles and a couple semis. The road itself was in great shape, and we had no problems. The roads between the Basque villages (Ainhoa, Cambo, Espelette, etc. were also very scenic and safe.

Sorry to disappoint you, maybe you expect a dirt track with wild animals :))

I think it's a valid question - in fact, I bookmarked it to see the responses. I have a fear of heights so I'm always wondering what roads are like in mountainous areas. I might be traveling next year from Pau to Oliván, Spain and was curious what the roads were like.

The road to Gavarnie follows the river - it's only beyond Gavarnie that you gain any altitude. There are one or two corners, but nothing scary.

A word of caution though. Gavarnie is very popular, and the parking can be a squeeze. So much so that in three visits I have never stopped there, but have driven up Col de Tente and walked to Spain. It's a fun road - sheep all over it (just drive around them) and you should see both marmots and vultures.

Various blog posts here
https://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/2021/07/simon-and-susan-invade-spain.html?m=1

https://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-route-departmentale-d92365-from.html?m=1

https://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/2022/07/gavarnie-mist-again.html?m=1

I might be traveling next year from Pau to Oliván, Spain and was
curious what the roads were like.

From Pau to Oliván it's exactly the same thing, the road goes through the valleys and doesn't even go through a pass. No reason to worry unless you plan to travel in the winter. The only risk is admiring the scenery rather than concentrating on driving.

I never had any issues driving to Lourdes or in the Pyrenees. The minor roads will mostly be in good repair, but will probably only be two lanes wide, with more twists and turns than the major roads. Use Google maps street view to look at the actual road you’ll be driving. It should put your mind at ease.

From Pau to Oliván it's exactly the same thing, the road goes through the valleys and doesn't even go through a pass.

Thank you so much, JoLui! I'm still not sure if I'm going that route next year, but it's very nice to know what to expect.

And jaimeelsabio, I have looked at Google Street View, and did the same in Scotland before I left to get a look at those scary single track roads. 😊 The problem is that sometimes those hairpin turns (with the attached precipice) don't always show up unless you're willing to spend hours and hours looking at each and every segment of the drive.

Google Street View gives a good idea but it makes roads look a bit scarier than in reality, because the cameras are on the roof. Roads look narrower and drop-offs look steeper.
Otherwise, no, the Portalet road to Oliván is not scary. There are like three switchbacks total. And it is gorgeous! If it worries you, take the Somport tunnel instead (it would be a shame, though).

And to the OP: the road to Gavarnie is perfectly OK, but if you decide to go to nearby Troumouse cirque, then that one is a really bad road. I think there's a shuttle in season. Other roads in the area are good, even the fearsome (for cyclists) Tourmalet road.

Otherwise, no, the Portalet road to Oliván is not scary. There are like three switchbacks total. And it is gorgeous! If it worries you, take the Somport tunnel instead (it would be a shame, though).

balso, thanks! No, I will definitely opt for the gorgeous road!

Last night I was looking through some old stuff and found my travel journal from my trip to France in 1999. I had rented a car and was driving through a mountainous area with my daughter, and wrote that the drive was very scenic although a bit scary. I think we were heading from Arles up to Mende. But I wrote that the roads were excellent and didn't have any problems with my fear of heights. So I've evidently done it before although I have no recollection of the drive. 😊

ferreirawhite93, sorry for piggy-backing onto your thread! Enjoy your travels!