Road Trip : Pyrenees Vs Picos de Europa

1.) Better don't shorten names: the name is Picos de Europa. "Picos" doesn't denote any specific place (just generic for "peaks"). Despite some websites in English doing so, it's not a good practice as Spaniards tend to not shorten names and if you ask any local they won't understand you since, as I said, "picos" is a generic word. Typical answer: "picos, which picos?"

2.) The Pyrenees stretch over 300 miles and they "cross" (so to speak) very different climate areas so the landscapes are very different from one end to the other... which part exactly would you be considering visiting? How many days do to intend to invest in this endeavour? and how far from Bilbao are you willing to get?

3.) Both are impressive mountain ranges and depending on where you come from (that is, what you're accustomed to) it might make no major difference. If on the other hand, you're a seasoned mountaineer, the Pyrenees -being much bigger- have several National Parks and tallest peaks. Also, you're going to find relatively easier communication (roads) between A and B and lots more villages and towns. Keep in mind that inside a National Park (and Picos de Europa are inside one) the usage of vehicles can be restricted (or limited).

4.) If interested... these are the Catalan Pyrenees, the stretch from the middle (or so) of the range all the way to the Mediterranean Sea:

• The Catalan Pyrenees
• Pirineus Catalans - Professional Guide
• RoadMap of the Pyrenees
• Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
• Pirineu de Girona (the other end of the Pyrenees, by the Mediterranean)

Thank you for the reply and links. I plan to spend around 7 days riding and I would end in Barcelona if I go through the Pyrenees and probably Madrid if I choose the Picos de Europa. Barcelona is a much more appealing destination to me than Madrid and the vastness of the Pyrenees is making me lean in that direction.

I believe that, taken as a whole, the scenery will be better on the Bilbao-Barcelona route. There's quite a lot of unexciting territory around Madrid, though my one-day bus tour through the Picos de Europa was great. If you happen to go that way, I recommend a stop in Potes, which is a lovely old stone town, albeit one that now has a lot of tourist services.

I didn't get up into the mountains of the Catalan Pyrenees, but I did spend some time in that general area last year, so I offer these few thoughts in case they are of some assistance:

Puigcerda is a very pretty hill town (or small city, depending on your definition) in the Cerdanya Valley (the valley is terribly hot in summer!!) sitting practically on the French border. I used it as my base for some day-trips:

• The French Yellow Train through the Pyrenees, ending in the (very touristy) fortified town of Villefranche-de-Conflent. I assume the N-116 road is also very scenic. This is mountainous country, and I think it would appeal to you, but I haven't experienced the road.

• Llivia, a picturesque valley town that is part of Spain but completely surrounded by French territory, less than 5 miles from Puigcerda.

• Several cute little towns strung out along the N-260 in the valley SW of Puigcerda: Bolvir, Bellver de Cerdanya and Martinet.

• La Seu de Urgell, a very pretty, historically important town south of Andorra. Colorful architecture in the very attractive old town.

I visited Andorra la Vella many decades ago. Even then, the town itself wasn't very attractive. Since then it has reportedly morphed into a glorified outlet mall. So don't feel you need to visit the capital of Andorra. The mountainous surroundings are very nice, of course.

I remember at least one post-trip report about a drive through the Pyrenees that was posted on this forum within the last couple of years, but alas I cannot find it. If you identify a couple of towns you may be passing through, searching for those names may be fruitful.

The search term I used was "Pyrenees". I hope these other threads will be helpful:

May 2017 -- focuses on hiking
April 2017 -- looks like there's some especially useful info here
July 2014
August 2013
December 2012
May 2011
February 2010
October 2009
February 2009

Thanks so much!

In the past, we would travel with a rental car and our road bikes. The Pyrenees routes can be easier to manage and explore due availability of motorcycle blogs, the Tour de France routes (July), or there is a non-competitive (Ha Ha) yearly bicycle ride across the Pyrenees. In Spain, west Cangas or Llanes to east Bilboa, ( 3 west to east squares on the Michelin paper map is a lovely area with the added site of the sea). In the Picos of Europa area we saw some beautiful moutain scenes, we were unable to ride at that point, partially due to weather. We bicycled, mainly the middle square, and the routes were found from the Tour of Spain bike race. Both toward the sea and south inland. These were empty roads in late May. Also, search where the surfers go! They know where the waves are and these are some beautiful beaches. We did a big driving loop from Madrid for Spain. Flew into Toulouse for the Pyrenees. What sets one apart from the other? As a traveling American, the French and Spain experiences are too different to go into detail. I like both mountain ranges. Personally, I prefer Spain.