The Somport Tunnel

[Barclaybasher]

I driven through the tunnel many times but last Tuesday was different.

I drove down from Caen on Monday, stopped at a Park4nite and continued Tuesday, weather was miserable most of the journey, couldn't even see the Pyrenees for mist and rain.

Entered the tunnel, 5 miles later emerged to blue skies and bright sunshine!

I looked in my wing mirror and thought 'somethings hanging off the side of my van" - looked again - it was the shadow of the van, so bright was the sun.

Still sunny here in Spain

 

[royandsharont]

Yes I’ve experienced that too

 

[Figaro]

So is the weather in France little better than the UK ?

 

[missmollie]

Experienced it the other way last November, bright sunshine on the Spanish side and came out to low cloud and rain on the French side.

 

[jumar]

Experienced it the other way last November, bright sunshine on the Spanish side and came out to low cloud and rain on the French side.

That's why the Good Lord created the Pyrenees

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[scotzsue]

Juast be careful if heading to the somport from spain, Tomtom rerouted us round the mountain, Had looked at the map and knew we should stay on the road, but co-pilot insisted Tom knows best. Was an interesting drive though.

 

[InvictaMoto]

Never used the tunnel..... Have always gone over the pass. Coffee at the top with the pilgrims on the Compostela path that wends it way down the mountain...

 

[Riverbankannie]

I have experienced that too, a very pleasant surprise when you emerge after being in the rain and cloud in France.

 

[cyberyacht]

Should have got the ferry instead of driving the length of England to sample Scottish rain for the past three days.

 

[Lenny HB]

Don't like the road on the French side much prefer the Bielsa-Aragnouet tunnel.

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[bigtree]

Juast be careful if heading to the somport from spain, Tomtom rerouted us round the mountain, Had looked at the map and knew we should stay on the road, but co-pilot insisted Tom knows best. Was an interesting drive though.

Is this what you passed ?
Absolutely magic on the bike.

 

[Brains]

I've walked over the top through the Breche de Roland
It's green on the French side, 10 paces, and then brown on the Spanish side.

A photo taken looking along the border looks like one side is in colour and the other side is in sepia.
Very odd.

 

[Grianan]

Should have got the ferry instead of driving the length of England to sample Scottish rain for the past three days.

That’s a shame where are you - was really sunny Aberdeenshire until an hour ago. Forecast good again tomorrow.

 

[cyberyacht]

Look at the height of those 'snow poles'. Don't try this in winter!

 

[gus-lopez]

So is the weather in France little better than the UK ?

Arrived in dunkirk last tuesday & decent weather all the ay through France to the som port tunnel.

Don't like the road on the French side much prefer the Bielsa-Aragnouet tunnel.

No but that is what makes the french side far more attractive, animals, eagles, cheese, etc. admittedly the spanish side is better in the road department being mainly dual carriageways but years back even the mon repos was single lane & fantastic scenery, albeit far slower roads.
There is a proposal for an autovia on french side ,the E7, but huge local opposition.

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[LesW]

Many (many) years ago my Son and I rode down to Southern Spain in April, this was the view approaching the Somport Tunnel.

When we got to the Spanish side it was like spring, (don't have a photo).

 

[InvictaMoto]

It was a little misty and wet on the French side. This time the cafe was closed.... My V-Strom and my brother's K16. September 2022