The Pyrenees stretch for more than 450 kilometers from the Bay of Biscay in the west to the Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean. The mountain range, with peaks of more than 3000 meters, forms a natural barrier that separates the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe. The main ridge of the mountain range also largely forms the state border between France and Spain, while the miniature state of Andorra lies between these two countries.
The Pyrenees are a true paradise for motorcyclists: beautiful views and magnificent winding roads between imposing mountains. This route covers a part of those roads where enjoyment is of paramount importance. Hence, my rating for this route is 5 stars.

The route starts in the south of Andorra, at Hotel Coma Bella in Sant Julià de Lòria. The first few kilometers is a nice descent to the valley where the road that takes you to Spain runs. When you arrive on that road, you will first see a row of petrol stations, so if necessary, you can still fill the tank here for an affordable price.

After 2.5 kilometers you cross the border with Spain towards La Seu d'Urgell. Shortly after this place the 'boring' part of the route: A straight stretch of 5 kilometers. Although, boring .... look around and the straight is suddenly a lot less boring. You can see the hills left, right and even in front of you. This means that you will soon be driving in the hills and later in the mountains. Nice prospect!

Shortly after the 'boring straight', the first hairpin turn arrives. And many more will follow. At various places you have beautiful views of the underlying valleys from those hairpin bends, such places are indicated at a number of places in the route. A shame to just pass by, such views deserve to be viewed and yes, a photo is of course also part of it.

After 45 kilometers you will drive over the first pass of this route, the Coll del Roc Picó with an altitude of 1559 meters. There is a nice parking lot with some benches. Here too you have the opportunity for a short stop to enjoy the great view.

The Coll del Roc Picó is soon followed by the Port del Cantó which has the highest point at 1718 meters. Despite the fact that this is only 200 meters higher than the previous one, the view is significantly less. The cause is that the pass does not cross the highest point. However, a vast landscape with forests. Still nice to see.

A short while later it is time for the first coffee stop in the town of Sort. The road to it is another piece to enjoy! Wonderful curves and beautiful views, the Pyrenees all over!
In Sort you can also visit a small museum / prison after your coffee, the Camí de la Llibertat. That is a very small museum (only one room, being the prison). Many people were imprisoned in this prison during the Spanish Civil War and World War II, when they tried to cross the Pyrenees in order to escape the wars. Although it is a small museum, it is interesting to hear from the guides what it was like at the time.
The museum is within walking distance of the restaurant where the coffee break is scheduled, it is a walk of about 500 meters.

After the coffee break you continue to drive northwest. From Sort the route runs along a river, the Noguera Pallaresa. This is a river that has its source at Era Font d'era Noguereta at an altitude of about 2000 meters and barely 100 meters from the Garonne. As the Garonne flows towards the Atlantic Ocean, the Noguera Pallaresa flows south and just before the reservoir of Camarasa (Noguera) flows into the Segre, which in turn flows into the Ebro to end up in the Mediterranean Sea. The Noguera Pallaresa has been dammed in various places such as the Talarn Dam, the largest reservoirs are La Torassa, Sant Antoni, Terradets and Camarasa.
After 25 kilometers you arrive at the former lake, La Torassa. The name, which means tower, comes from the old and large (lookout) tower that stood on this spot. It is possible to drive over the dam and then follow the narrow road around the lake. Just a nice diversion, it is something different than via the main road on which the route runs. You will be treated to nice views of the lake along the way. This is due to the height difference between the lake and the road around it. However, watch out for oncoming traffic, it is that narrow.
At the tail end of the reservoir is the Mollera d'Escalarre, a beautiful wetland area with crystal clear and relaxing waters, of great natural importance where different plant and animal species coexist. Nature lovers should definitely take a look here.

All this beauty is located in the middle of one of the natural parks that the Pyrenees are rich: The Parc Naturel de l'Alt Pirineu.
This park is not only special in terms of surface area, but also in terms of level difference. For example, the lowest point in the park is around 600 meters and the highest is well above 3100. As a result, the nature park has an enormous diversity of flora and fauna. Within the park there are different microclimates, so you can not only walk along babbling brooks over large green grass plains, but also over the completely bare rocky surface on the high peaks. In between grow large beech forests and high plains that are here and there overgrown with a few shrubs and even Edelweiss.
If you look at the fauna of Parc Natural de l'Alt Pirineu, the most notable inhabitant of this area is the brown bear. Not many live there, partly due to the great resistance among the local residents that there was in the past against this king of the forest. However, several bears have now been released and young, newly born bears have also been spotted. The latter shows that the bears now feel completely at home in this area and that their population is growing. In addition, you can often encounter another mountain dweller, the mountain goat, in the higher regions. But also different vulture species that circle around in their majestic way in search of food are a real happening to see.

The route winds further to the northwest through various passes, including the Port del Cantó (1718m), the Eth Portilhon (1293m, this col is on the border with France), the Col de Peyresourde (1569m) and the Col d'Aspin ( 1490m). All beautiful to drive. Beautiful roads, forests interspersed with mountain meadows, great. Don't forget to stop the engine every now and then for some photos.

Near La Mongie in France, you can already see the gondolas on the cable car sliding up and down from a great distance. This cable car takes you to Pic du Midi de Bigorre. Since 1882, this mountain has housed an observatory where the universe is studied. Its construction began in 1878 under the direction of General de Nansouty and engineer Célestin-Xavier Vaussenat. The building materials had to be delivered by mules. Initially it was a simple weather station. There is an interactive museum about astronomy at the research center. Here you can learn all about the stars and planets, as well as the history of the Pic du Midi observatory. There is also a broadcasting station for radio and television. From the top one has a unique view on all sides of the chain of the Pyrenees.
A platform has been built for the daredevils, part of which hangs above the cliff. From this platform you look straight down into the depth. Stand on it if you dare!

The last col in this route is the Col du Tourmalet. The 2,115-meter-high passage is best known for the Tour de France, where it was first recorded in 1910. No other mountain has been climbed as often as the Tourmalet since then. Near the top of the climb is a monument in memory of former Tour director Jacques Goddet.
After this Col de Tourmalet (phenomenal view!) The route continues to Luz-Saint-Saveur. From here, another 13 kilometers towards today's hotel, Grand Hotel de France in Pierrefitte-Nestalas, a nice hotel in a small town.

Have fun driving this route!