Arrived at the foot of the Pyrenees, we look at the majestic peaks around us and the hero has the idea to travel the route of the Cols of the French-Spanish border mountains. A distance of over nine hundred kilometers through the passes of both countries, past natural wonders, spectacular views, and fantastic sights. Starting in the middle heading west and then from the Atlantic coast to the east to the Mediterranean and then back to the starting point, such was the idea. After about two thousand kilometers driven this way and seventy-four peaks passed, we would set off for home.
Towards Col de Marie blanche
This plan made us forget all trips to Andalusia and let us dream of romantic dinners in the Pyrenees glow, sheep bleats, and cowbells at sunset.
Pastoral cows
However, when the Kangoo almost gives out at Puy Mary, we need to see how we can conquer the high passes with the caravan in tow without risking engine damage.
Now we're studying road maps, consulting navigation apps, and scouring old travel records.
In the Pyrenees
Ultimately, the AI informs us about possible routes with the trailer. We learn which routes have what percentage of incline, which hairpin turns can be life-threatening, and on which roads enormous rock overhangs do not allow the passage of buses, trucks, or caravans.
Incredible! How could we have traveled without this artificial intelligence? It even tells me where I took a photo of a green meadow in the Cantabrian Mountains ten years ago, in the Parque Natural de Somiedo.
In Parque Natural de Somiedo 2018
In any case, the route of the Cols has been postponed to a summer tour without the heavyweight Château Mistral in tow.
We choose, on the AI's recommendation, the safe tunnel at Col de Somport for the border crossing. Not without first taking a test drive over Col de Marie blanche, completely against the good advice of the same.
Towards Col de Marie blanche
The ascent to an altitude of 1035 meters is gentle.
Perfect for beginner road cyclists, as we realize on the way, and a crisis situation for the Kangoo.
We start in the early morning hours to avoid sweating in the car during the surprisingly hot afternoon hours.
Sleeping place
Solo cyclists encounter us in the bends to the first peak. Pastoral cows block the passage here and there, and the camping community enjoys their breakfast coffee at the picnic spot.
Slowly the road becomes steeper, and the hero switches the heating to maximum for extra engine cooling.
This is very pleasant because we both have cold morning feet, which are now getting nice and warm.
View from the Col
At a moderate five percent incline, we trudge in horse-drawn carriage mode in first or second gear up the slope. By halfway through the journey, at least my feet have reached operating temperature, but we must continue and the heating buzzes and buzzes and buzzes with the window now wide open.
Pastoral cows on the road
After an hour, we have reached the summit; all the car's signal lights remain quiet. Not only are my feet boiling, but gasping for air I throw the door open.
The hero casts a scrutinizing glance under the hood, finds that the cooling fan hasn’t even kicked in, and then the wild ride continues.
With the heating on, now downhill.
On the Col de Marie blanche
How good it is that we took the uphill path from the other direction, because now it’s a sporty ten to fifteen percent downhill again. Climbing is only for the mountain specialists among cyclists and is not healthy for our travel team.
1035 meters above sea level
After 1.5 hours we have covered the fifteen kilometers. Now we continue to the tunnel.
I sweat from every pore, my legs burn bright red, and I admire the hero, who makes no expression and bravely drives the car through the increasingly narrow roads, curve by curve, altitude by altitude, kilometer by kilometer in the hot draft of the roaring Kangoo heater, unfazed.
He has only removed the Crocs, fearing that the rubber might melt onto his toes.
Towards Spain
After successfully passing through the eight-kilometer-long border tunnel, upon arrival in the thirty-degree hot Spanish shade, I ask, completely at the end of my strength, if the heating can now slowly be turned off. The hero looks at me in surprise and replies, 'Oh, are you warm? I could have done that up on the pass half an hour ago. I just wanted to see how quickly the coolant would cool down.'
8 Kilometer Tunnel
Having reached today's destination, we jump into the remnants of the river Aragon, which still babbles with refreshing water from the Pyrenees.
At the Aragon...
What heights and depths still await us?
How will we master the peaks on the way to Andalusia?
We will keep you updated!
At a glance
Automatically extracted from the post
Weather
Summer · 30°C
Accompaniment
In the group
Mood
AdventurousOff the beaten track
Highlights
Fahrt über den Col de Marie Blanche
Grenzübertritt durch den acht Kilometer langen Tunnel am Col de Somport
Kühe auf der Piste
Ankunft am Fluss Aragon
Equipment
KangooWohnwagenNavigations-AppsStraßenkarten
Topics
Road tripNatureAdventureTransit
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