01 La Seu dUrgell to Carcassonne via Andorra
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 07-03-2025
Route Summary The twisty roads and balcony roads and the beautiful mountainous landscapes have earned this route 5***** stars
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Verdict
Duration
10h 24m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
253.53 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review Leaving from the motorcycle friendly hotel, it is only 10 minutes before you reach the border between Spain and Andorra. You will need your passport or EU ID card as there is a physical border here.
Andorra La Vella is the capital and can be busy because because of the tax free shops. An early start from the hotel avoids the traffic. After the capital, there are several small towns to pass through as you climb up and up to the highest paved road in the Pyrenees, Port d'Envalira at 2408 m. On a very windy day, it may be wiser to choose the 3.5 km tunnel.
Leaving the hustle and bustle of Andorra behind, the route uses the main road to the famous spa town of Ax-les-Thermes. I have suggested a coffee stop and leg stretch here as the roads from here become smaller and twistier and are single track in places.
As you join the D118 you will be following the river Aude along the Gorges de l'Aude as it makes it's way to the Mediterranean near Narbonne. This road becomes more impressive the further you drive along it and just after the hydro electric power station the road becomes spectacular as you enter the squeeze point at Gorges de Saint Georges. The cliff walls are vertical and the gap between them is very narrow with overhanging rock.
I have suggested a lunch stop at Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet 'Le Pouss' Cafe'. You can eat outside and keep an eye on your bike.
5 minutes after lunch and you will arrive at the Gorges de Galamus, this is an absolute spectacular road that snakes it's way through an almost impossible gorge as it follows the River l'Agly. There is a church within a cave in the gorge called L'ermitage Saint-Antoine de Galamus which can be visited by walking down to it.
The route carries on twisting and turning through the foothills of the Pyrenees as it makes it's way to the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, said to be the inspiration for the Disney castle logo. It trully is a magical place and the route will take you to free motorcycle parking just by the entrance. From here, it is a short journey to the ibis Budget Hotel.
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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