#0 TRANSPYRENEEAN GR11 IN STAGES
Índice de contenidos
#1 A LIVING HISTORY OF THE PYRENEES
The Pyrenees mountain range, older than the Alps, forms a border stretching 800 km from sea to sea. It has many peaks over 3,000 m, the highest being Aneto, at 3,404 metres. It is also home to the largest glaciers in southern Europe and the only ones on the Iberian Peninsula.
And in this mountain range lies the GR11, which was officially established in 1985 and is known as the Trans-Pyrenean route. Starting from this route, which was originally travelled on foot, it is possible to make several interpretations and itineraries in various modalities, which remain as similar as possible to the original GR11 route.
#2 TRANSPYRENEAN IN A 4X4 CAMPER
Our choice for this Trans-Pyrenean route was to follow the GR11 as closely as possible, combining travel in a 4×4 camper van with hiking trails at strategic points in each location.
This allows us to create a Trans-Pyrenean route in stages that combines driving on 4×4 tracks with sections of road, hiking trails and visits to villages and places of interest.
The ‘ funny’ or special thing about each Trans-Pyrenean 4×4 camper tour is that, although there is a very clear basic idea, is to make the route as similar as possible to the original GR11 that crosses the Pyrenees mountain range from east to west. Because of that, each interpretation can be different, as there are many variables along the way.
In our case, we chose a very linear route, which was effective in terms of progress, but without excluding round-trip tracks close to the route that add extra fun and allow you to explore each region in greater depth.
In addition, we also include areas of France on two occasions, one in the initial area next to Catalonia and another next to Navarre/Basque Country. These stages of the Trans-Pyrenean route provide an extra incentive by changing countries, with all that that brings: different culture, language and cuisine.
#3 WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO THE TRANSPYRENEAN ROUTE? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
This Trans-Pyrenean route, which is divided into stages and travelled in a 4×4 camper, includes several high mountain tracks along most of its length, so winter is quickly ruled out as a possible time to travel.
Ideally, the best option is to do it during the summer months, as we can be sure of better weather without snow, plus more stable conditions and longer days, which will help us to enjoy more hours for hiking and a more comfortable overnight stay.
Another good option, depending on how the weather evolves each year, is late spring or early autumn, avoiding the peak tourist season during the summer and any possible restrictions due to fire risk.
#4 HOW TO FOLLOW THE TRANSPYRENEAN ROUTE?
To help you enjoy this route as much as we did, we have created a book that will help you discover, explore and enjoy the legendary Trans-Pyrenean route by camper van or 4×4. This travel guide offers you the complete route, divided into stages and with additional alternatives for each area.
Discover the first GUIDE to the Trans-Pyrenean route, combining overland travel by camper van or 4×4 with mountain trails and local cuisine for a complete experience.
What will you find in this book?
- 140 pages that will help you prepare for your trip by providing all the essential information.
- The GPX track with the complete route, combining trails, 4×4 tracks and roads, from Llançà, on the Mediterranean Sea, to the Higuer Lighthouse, on the Cantabrian Sea, with a total of 1,200 km.
- The GPX tracks for each stage, ideal for those who want to do independent tours.
- 17 stages of the Trans-Pyrenean route with all the detailed information
- Maps of all stages with information on the route, distance, elevation gain, and approximate time.
- 11 stages accessible by camper van.
- Useful information about the route: type of terrain, condition, difficulty, type of vehicle and necessary vehicle capabilities.
- 16 mountain routes that will take you even deeper into each area of the Pyrenees
- Three suggestions for the Trans-Pyrenean route to adapt the trip according to the number of days available.
- 4×4 and Overland Guide with off-road tips, a practical guide to off-road basics, rescue basics, and off-road and overland equipment to ensure you are well prepared.
- QR code with extra content (videos of our tour, mountain routes, tracks and accessories)
We have written this book based on our own experience, travelling several times along different stages of the Transpirenaica route, first with a 4×2 camper van and finally covering the entire route over a month with a 4×4 camper van.
Good day,
I’m living in Belgium and like to order your book.
unfortunately it doesn’t seems possible via Amazon.
Can you please advise/help me how to order the book?
Thank you in advance.
Hello Theo,
Thanks for your support, buying the book. We’ve checked out and Belgium is one of the countries active for purchasing. I tried to look at it at appears in the Amazon Belgium site, please can you check to purchase it from this link.
Tell us if it worked 🙂
Cheers,
bonjour, sur quel support son les GPS traces. cd, download…?
merci beaucoup pour votre travail. cordialement
Bonjour,
Dans le livre nous proposons la piste complète ou par étapes au format GPX. Il comprend également GPX pour les itinéraires de randonnée.
Nous mettons à jour les pistes en fonction des commentaires/changements que nous recevons.
Merci beaucoup
Hi how is possible to buy the ebook?
Hi David,
We’re not selling in ebook format anymore, it’s only possible in paperbook. Here you will finde the link for the UK Amazon website also you can search on you local Amazon website this “Transpyrenean overland: Travelling through the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Cantabrian Sea” . If any of this options work, please let us know from wich country are you trying to buy it and we will try to give you a solution,
Cheers
Hello,
I’ve read on Amazon that some routes are outdated and cannot be accessed by 4×4. Are these updated?
Thank you!
Greetings from Andorra!
Hello,
We’re keeping updated the tracks acording to the informations and changes, and also with the feedback of the comunity. At this time, it’s only closed the famous “Pic Negre” track and also this summer another one will be “converted” to asphalt, but it is a very low percentage of the whole route and it’s still the best in Spain and Europe for Overlanding in a mountan landscape.
Enjoy Andorra, the country of the mountains, we’re close 😉
Cheers
is it possible to get the ebook in english version? thanks
Hi David,
We’re not selling in ebook format anymore, it’s only possible in paperbook. Here you will finde the link for the UK Amazon website also you can search on you local Amazon website this “Transpyrenean overland: Travelling through the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Cantabrian Sea” . If any of this options work, please let us know from wich country are you trying to buy it and we will try to give you a solution,
Cheers
Hello,
Thanks for your information about the book.
Is your Road itinérant made for a Sprinter converted Van Mercedes 4×4 (3 meters high)?
Best regards
Hello,
Yes it will be good to do it with a Sprinter 4×4 van. All this book is based in our own experience with a Toyota Hilux Pickup full size camper, with 2,9m high. In each stage we indicate if its any restriction, but yo will do 95% of the tracks.
PD. In the book we asses the dificulty and vehicle max size (normally the problem its if its long) for each “stage”.
Thanks for your support,
Best regards