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| VillageThing Member Since: 27 Nov 2017 Location: Northampton Posts: 4   
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I’ve been to the Pyrenees twice and to the French Alps twice. On all occasions I have used the app ViewRanger. The app itself is free and you can download various different maps for off-line use.
The maps I use are ‘open cycle maps’. They give really good detail of the mountain tracks. They are free and can be downloaded direct from the app. I also take with me aerial photographic views of the same area. These are also available for free download within ViewRanger. View Ranger also has a good selection of routes that you can download. Most of them are free but some people charge a nominal amount to download these routes. This is in a form of “credit“ system, where you buy credits online and spend them on routes. |
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8th Jul 2018 4:03pm |
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| VillageThing Member Since: 27 Nov 2017 Location: Northampton Posts: 4
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Well Simon, I hope you have a good time.
I'd recommend a few places:- Andorra La Vella - Capital of Andorra. Tax free shopping trip. Go even if you only fill up with fuel and buy a nice bottle of Scotch. Pas de La Casa - a short track behind the town ascending to 2618m ASL - the highest drivable track (that I could find). Track to a Smugglers Tunnel. Follow the track up from El Serrat in a NW direction. The tunnel has wire mesh over the entrance but there's not much left. Take a torch and wellies to see some amazing ice stalactites. When you're bored with the tunnel, continue up the track (yes, it says no vehicles) Get to the top via the incredible steep final section of this track (low box, first gear and loads of revs) to find a delightful cafe/restaurant with a very friendly owner (who drives a Toyota - nobody is perfect). Visit the abandoned village of Janovas. The Spanish Government evacuated this village to build a dam but the dam never went ahead - only some preliminary works. The military shelled the village to prevent the residents from returning. There was one property being renovated when I was last there in 2014. Embalse del Llauset - a lake with a huge dam. To build the dam, the construction company built a long tunnel through the mountain to get the lorries in and out. The tunnel remains open to the public. From the N-130 road take the track through Aneto. It's quite a trip to get there but well worth it. On the way out Visit Canfranc Railway station. Built in Victorian times to welcome rich skiers from Paris. Abandoned but being renovated. Explore the rail yard behind the station. They're a bit out of order... Canfrac railway station  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Embalse del Llauset Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Janovas - The only part of the dam to be built Click image to enlarge Janovas village Click image to enlarge The restaurant at the ski lift Click image to enlarge The VERY steep bit Click image to enlarge Inside the tunnel Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Highest Track near Pas de la Casa Click image to enlarge |
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9th Jul 2018 7:35pm |
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| languedoc Member Since: 13 May 2016 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 283  
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I’m ashamed to admit that I live 45 minutes from Pas and never knew that was there!
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9th Jul 2018 8:04pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5813  
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Cracking photos and info VillageThing, definitely makes me want to visit. And the French certainly knew how to build train stations.
 Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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10th Jul 2018 5:11am |
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| 8619simon Member Since: 04 Nov 2016 Location: North Wales Posts: 247  
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Village thing...Thank you for so many ideas, photos are great! Counting the days now and really looking forward to the adventure. We're staying in Font-romeu to start so the Andorra start is ideal.
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10th Jul 2018 6:26am |
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