Travel to Denia

Hi,

I have travelled to and back several times from Kent to Denia (Orba valley) over the last couple of years on my motorcycle, and used 2 routes, both of which were excellent although on a couple of occasion it was winter and not very nice on the bike.

I arrive in Calais @ 07:30 and on each route without breaking any speed limits I have a total of 23 hours travel from Home in Maidstone to Ondara (Denia) on each route

Both these routes avoid Paris. Lots of tolls on both routes

Route 1:

Calais to Abbeville A16.

Abbeville through Rouen to Le Mans and onto Tours A28

Tip: as soon as you come out of the tunnel at Rouen take the A13 this is the best route around the city unless you want to visit it (Lovely place BTW)

Tours through Poitiers (Stayed here overnight on my way back from Spain, lots of hotels at Futurscope exit 28 A10 / E5) Onto Bordeaux A10.

Bordeaux all the way to the border at Irun on the A63 Plenty of places to stay overnight in this area.

Over the border (River and take first right and follow N-121-A lovely country and not a toll road all the way to Pamplona.

Follow route around the city on the PA-30 and onto the AP-15

AP-15 all the way to Tudela (2000 m above sea level around here so very cold in winter

At Tudela filter onto the AP-68 to Zaragoza around the city and onto the A-23 (Make sure you have plenty of fuel and fill up well in advance (Motorbike only holds 20 litres) as a lot of the petrol stations are a bit off the main road.

Follow A-23 to Sagunto where it joins the AP-7/E-15 then south through Valencia and onto Denia

Route2:

Calais to Abbeville A16.

Abbeville through Rouen

Tip: As soon as you come out of the tunnel at Rouen take the A13 this is the best route around the city unless you want to visit it (Lovely place BTW)

When beyond the city turn south onto the A139 / A13 to Incarville and join the A154 south through Evreux to Dreux to Allaines where you join the N254 that leads in a couple of km onto the A10 South to Orléans.

At Orléans the road becomes the A71 continue South through Vierzon, through Clermont- Ferrand (Road number change to A75) and onto Millau (Try and time it to get here to the Millau Viaduct in daylight highest in Europe and designed by an Englishman)

Continue to Beziers and South onto the A9 /E15 this takes you through Perpignan, over the border at Le Perthus and the road changes to AP-7 / E15

Just follow that all the way to Denia (About 650km) through Girona, Barcelona and Valencia

In France and Spain you pass through lots of nice national parks so plenty of places to visit on the way 

Hope this makes sense. 

Hi,

Many thanks for taking the time to supply such a detailed response.

Its something I have always fancied doing. 

We are in the process of purchasing a property in Denia which needs a little TLC. I have loads of tools in the uk and it seems silly to buy the same again in Spain.

I think also travelling overland would be more satisfiying than just jumping on a plane.

Once again many thanks

Richard

Hi Richard

Totally agree about the tools. I have a place that need work as well but due to some building regs I cant start the work and I have had this place since 2013. and all my gear is here in Kent.

From about this time of the year its a lovely run, either one of them and one I have yet to do under the Pyrenees,Tunnel du SomportI rode the bike back beginning of Jan but due to lots of snow I didn't try this one.

All the best and make sure you carry some cash and a couple of Credit cards. All the Toll booths take the cards, on a bike it's a lot eisier than trying to find cash, but some of them are only a short distance apart so cash comes in handy like €1.40 and €2.0 

Much appreciated.

Can image it would be exhilarating on a bike. Used to watch Henry Cole on his bike rides, some unbelievable scenery, much better than in a car.

All the best

Richard

Hi Richard, I’ve driven down there a few times now, as too have bought s place in Denia,I take my pick up down with back on it and meander through Spain and France on the B roads; camping and hoteling, great way to get there,takes me four days leisurely 👍

Cheers

Clive

Hi Clive,

Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards

Richard

My advice take your time because it can ne stressfull first time enjoy the trip. I prefer route 1. but its the tolls can get expensive on 2.

Hi Richard,

I'd vote route 2 as well. Drove our LHD Fiesta down here to our place in Denia in January using route 2 and  it was great fun. Also took the BMW bike down last year via the same route, bit sore on the old posterior after having the bright idea to cover 700 miles in one day..not recommended but some great memories none the less.

BTW Millau viaduct is definitely worth a stop for a photo or two!

Both times we didn't book anywhere for overnight stops ahead of time. We simply used TripAdvisor to snap up a cheap hotel when we felt we'd had enough for the day and liked the look of the town we'd just come through. I found that ideal as it avoided all the stress of having to get to a specific location by a certain time. We never had a problem booking last minute at those times of the year (January and May) and seemed to be reasonably priced. 

Alan

No matter what route you take be very aware of anyone telling you that you have trouble with your vehicle,as they prey on brits traveling down,especially in spain robing you,so don’t stop ,just keep going until you come to other people.

Be very aware, take care.

Dave