Driving From Montery to Jaca seems to be easy going on mainly green 'Michelin' roads, but don't miss out on this particularly fun, yet highly technical route where - given the state of the road between Jasa and Castiello de Jaca - you will get the most out of it your technical skills will have to pass if you want to make it to the end unscathed. We got through it, even with our RT's, R's and even a scooter, so it's all doable, but it was very absorbent for our diapers, I can tell you that. Anyway, the route remains a gem and - as far as I'm concerned - a 'do it again' given all its other qualities.

Immediately upon departure from the Auberge de l'étable in Montery, the tires are already grunting on a 'green' road and the fun is immediately there. For lovers of knapsacks and other bags, the route makes a short trip to an Intermarché supermarket where you can buy groceries and fill the tanks. Small tip... If you drive back to the route after visiting the supermarket, you will find a super small brasserie where the route continues. Really recommended if you want to score a quick light breakfast or a nice coffee. Cheaper and quieter than the hotel and nice service on the terrace!

After passing Arette, it doesn't take long before the curly festivity starts. The Col de Labays is the first of many to pass under the wheels... the 'Pleasuredome' of the Pyrenees unfolds to its fullest here. The curls are knitted together seamlessly and it doesn't stop at all when you reach the Spanish border after about two hours of driving. On the contrary, the party continues for a while....

The Spanish border is reached after 77 kilometres, but you will hardly notice this transition in the high mountains. Suddenly you are in Spain, but it is not very clear, except for the language on the signs next to the road.

An ideal place for a break can be found about 50 kilometers behind the French-Spanish border. A lovely spot has been built along the Rio Veral and just before the historic town of Anso to relax. If desired, you can take a splash in the river or tap cool spring water, according to your wishes. You also have a nice view of Anso here and you can't help but fall for this beautiful, historic setting.

When the batteries are recharged, you can continue driving along the flanks of the Pyrenees in the direction of Jasa, a small mountain village.

If the (very poor) quality of the road, as we experienced it, persists in 2022, then this is the ideal road for GS and AT drivers, because they will lick their thumbs, fingers and rims off here. Witness the many other 'adventure' riders we passed here. But spoiled poepekes on RT's or racing butts on R's are going to swallow here. In view of the slope and sharpness, the bends here are 100% technical anyway and if you also have to add the particularly common 15 centimeter deep pits, then that ticker really goes fast.... Fast and light engines like the R's are still nice to maneuver, but on touring machines the sweat machine can go to work. Avoiding the many pits in really the worst possible places requires a lot of driving skills and control of the engine, especially when you know that one mistake will be fatal and the resulting plastic bill very high.
After the climb to the Refugio, the road gets better again, but you will probably never forget that six-kilometer climb to it.

The descent is ok again given the magnificent, natural setting and the relaxed feelings after that difficult climb return quite quickly. Soon you will arrive in Jaca, a small Spanish town. If desired, you can first pass by a local shopping center for the necessary groceries and/or refuel and hotel Oroel is ready to offer your exhausted bones a particularly luxurious place to sleep for the night. The restaurant is also highly recommended for those who prefer not to venture into the city yet. Diagonally opposite the hotel is Mas Gass, a motorcycle shop with a very friendly owner and a decent stock of tires, should the need arise...

The route is definitely a 'do it again', but we hope that the road quality will return to acceptable proportions after Jasa so that touring drivers can also enjoy it unscathed and nappy wipes. Because there is no doubt that these have had to go deep into the pockets here. The fresh pint in Jaca is more than deserved!