↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Expedition & Overland > Pyrenees - thinking of going solo. Wise or not?
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
Pat



Member Since: 05 Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere new!
Posts: 363

Wales 
Pyrenees - thinking of going solo. Wise or not?
A question for the experienced.

Before I get into detailed planning, can the experienced travellers see anything unwise with doing the following solo?

I'm seriously considering taking myself (and my Puma 90) on a Pyrenees trip late May/early June this year; my plan is to go off the beaten track as much as possible, but not take on anything challenging. Got some time to myself and have wanted to do the Pyrenees for a long time.

Have been reading the Pyrenees threads, but a little reassurance, or otherwise, about going solo would be helpful.

Thanks. It started with a kiss, never thought it would come to this.
SIII CSW Safari, limestone, (JAC 914N). Where is she now?

It's not a car, it's a way of life!
Post #814727 12th Feb 2020 1:05pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bankz5152



Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2049

2004 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Epsom Green
Its not a hard route, the few weve done anyway. Fair few farmers around and locals so if you do get stuck/breakdown you shouldnt be waiting long. Just be sensible Instagram @defender_ventures
Empire Tuning - Agent
Post #814731 12th Feb 2020 1:28pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
shropshiredefender



Member Since: 05 Jun 2017
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 832

England 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
As above, personally I prefer the Spanish side, most tracks are easy to find, don't be surprised to find a small Renault van at the top after you have used diff lock and low range for a few miles Laughing Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right.
Post #814732 12th Feb 2020 1:40pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
notxal



Member Since: 20 Nov 2019
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 89

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Aintree Green
Brilliant locations all along the Spanish side of Pyrenees and the North Coast of Spain where there are many mountainous National Parks such as the Picos de Europa within a hour or so of empty beaches. One of the voted 10 best driving roads is the N260 which tracks across the Spanish side of the Pyrenees.
Post #814733 12th Feb 2020 2:01pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
We did it by ourselves last year, no problem at all. Thoroughly enjoyable. Saw very few other 4x4s. We had stunning weather the whole time. We did the Vibraction Traverse route, which starts in France but is almost all on the Spanish side. Although it feels remote, in reality you are never that far from tarmac or a village. As mentioned above, most of the tracks are used by farmers so even if you got totally stranded someone would likely find your remains within a few weeks Laughing

The only safety caution I would advise is to watch the weather. The tracks are largely easy going, bit if it is very wet, I can imagine some stretches would be tricky. There was evidence of a lot washouts from previous winter. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #814736 12th Feb 2020 2:39pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bankz5152



Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2049

2004 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Epsom Green
The only downside is the drive through france is VERY boring Laughing Instagram @defender_ventures
Empire Tuning - Agent
Post #814744 12th Feb 2020 3:06pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
markalpha



Member Since: 23 Apr 2008
Location: Downham Market
Posts: 690

England 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
Or use the ferry down to Spain. Thumbs Up
Post #814745 12th Feb 2020 3:09pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2062

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Pennine Grey
There's no reason not to do it solo.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.
Post #814749 12th Feb 2020 3:32pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
sharkey964



Member Since: 05 Oct 2014
Location: On a muddy track
Posts: 570

France 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
I have been doing the Pyrenees prety much every year for the last 5,solo.
Its not deepest Mongolia.....Just go & do it,you'll love it.
As others have said,stick to the Spanish side.
These roadbooks are very good,although in French..
https://www.vibraction.org/road-books/
Marc.
Post #814803 12th Feb 2020 6:48pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Markez79



Member Since: 27 Jun 2018
Location: South West
Posts: 201

Sorry to hijack, but does anyone know where I can find the route guidance in English?!

Thanks
Post #814960 13th Feb 2020 3:43pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
What is it you want exactly? Although the Vibraction books are French, the actual directions are tulip diagrams, so easy to follow in and they send you a GPS file when you buy the book. Also there are many GPS routes available to download for free from Wikiloc. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #814965 13th Feb 2020 3:58pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Outlaw1



Member Since: 11 Aug 2016
Location: east sussex
Posts: 266

England 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
+1 for wikiloc , my wife and i done it on our own a couple of years ago and plan on returning this year. As said you are never that far from civilisation but at times it does feel like it
Post #815007 13th Feb 2020 7:26pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Markez79



Member Since: 27 Jun 2018
Location: South West
Posts: 201

Bluest wrote:
What is it you want exactly? Although the Vibraction books are French, the actual directions are tulip diagrams, so easy to follow in and they send you a GPS file when you buy the book. Also there are many GPS routes available to download for free from Wikiloc.


Fantastic - thank you
Post #815066 14th Feb 2020 9:44am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Pat



Member Since: 05 Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere new!
Posts: 363

Wales 
Thanks guys.

Doesn't seem like there's any reason why I shouldn't ... just go for it! It started with a kiss, never thought it would come to this.
SIII CSW Safari, limestone, (JAC 914N). Where is she now?

It's not a car, it's a way of life!
Post #815080 14th Feb 2020 12:48pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
shropshiredefender



Member Since: 05 Jun 2017
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 832

England 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Way to go - one life and so on Thumbs Up Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right.
Post #815098 14th Feb 2020 2:36pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums