Pamplona to Toulouse
 

Hi all,

will be driving from Pamplona to Toulouse this summer and wondered if there were any decent routes over the Pyrenees that you would recommend? Google Maps takes me via the toll roads, but wanted to see some psectacular scenery without distroying my car :)

Yup head up thru Puigcerda, on the French border and La Tour de Carol in France - and then do a wonderful drive thru the Pyrenees via Foix to Toulouse. Andorra is just a short detour off this route.

I've taken it by train and it was scenic - roads pretty much follow the rails.

I can recommend to go through beautiful little Isaba down in the Roncal valley just East of Pamplona and carry on along N-137 up to the winter ski resort at Arette/Col de Pierre-St-Martin at some 1700 meters (should be snow free by now). Had a spectacular drive here in rain, sun, clouds and mountains in July some years ago. Then go om to Olorón, Pau and Toulouse.

Details of the climb on perfectly fine roads from Isaba up towards Arrete/Col de la Pierre-St-Martin. Tour de France stage here in 2007: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Col_de_la_Pierre_St_Martin

Perhaps a stop in Isaba? I have a very soft spot for this little town, the peace and quiet, the river and the surrounding landscapes. http://www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/or...o.aspx?o=2260&

It's a fairly long drive heading up the NA-137 through Isaba to Oloron-Saint-Marie and onto Toulouse, but well worth it if you have the time. We've done it several times over the last dozen years, but usually going the other way, driving into Pamplona from Navarrenx.