R06 - Figueres to Quillan
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RouteXpert Arno van Lochem - Advanced RX
Last edit: 08-04-2021
Route Summary A little more to the north are the Pyrenees, where it is of course also beautiful to drive. In this route you will pass the part lying in the southwest of France. Erosion has left its mark here, resulting in beautifully carved gorges through which roads wind.
The route starts in Figueres. Soon you will reach the coast and drive north on beautiful coastal roads.
Once in France you drive a little more inland through beautiful surroundings.
The end of this route is at Hotel La Chaumière in Quillan.
This route is part of a tour through Catalonia, Andorra and the Pyrenees. This tour is divided into seven routes, of which this is the sixth part.
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Verdict
Duration
7h 50m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
243.35 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review The Pyrenees are a true paradise for motorcyclists: Beautiful views and magnificent winding roads between imposing mountains. Given the beautiful environment in which the roads are really formidable and provide a lot of driving pleasure, I rate this route with 5 stars.
The route starts in Figueres at Hotel Restaurant Bon Retorn. From there you set course for the coast, which is reached after about 20 kilometers. The last stretch to the coast you drive on the GIP-6041, a fine stretch of asphalt with wonderful curves. Now and then the sea already appears in your view, it still promises something!
Immediately after arriving on the GI-612 you will see a sign with the text 'linia discontinua nomes indica eix de carretera', freely translated 'the dotted line only indicates the road axis'.
In the Netherlands, we are used to the fact that if it becomes more dangerous to overtake, the lines become longer and the distance between them shorter. So you don't have to expect that on this road, the stripes only indicate the axis of the road, no more and no less.
Just behind this sign you drive past a parking lot where it is worth stopping for a photo. You look out over the harbor of El Port de la Selva.
Driving on the GI-612 you will pass the turnoff to the d'Arinella lighthouse. This tower is included in the inventory of the architectural heritage of Catalonia.
The tower was built around 1900, initially a Maris oil lamp was used. In 1933, the oil lighting system was replaced by an acetylene type, which made it possible to emit flashes repeatedly. In March 1955 this system was also exchanged for an electric version.
In Llanca the Gi-612 turns into the N260. That is the name of the road in Spain. Arriving in France, this road has the name D914. A 30 kilometer long great stretch of asphalt with wonderful curves. The view may also be there. Fortunately, parking spaces have been built in various places so that you can stop for a while to enjoy those views. It is best to decide how often and where you want to stop to enjoy this beautiful area.
You pass the Cap Cerbère lighthouse, just crossed the French border. Seen from France, this is the last lighthouse before the Spanish border, this tower is also called the 'solar tower' because it is equipped with solar panels. This modern lighthouse was completed in 1982.
This construction was carried out to replace the old light of the port of Cerbère, removed in 1980. The site on the high cliffs of Cape Cerbère was chosen to exclude electricity from overhead wires so as not to disturb the landscape.
If you feel like visiting another lighthouse, it is possible at Port-Vendres. There you can find the Cap Béar lighthouse. The first tower to be built there dates from 1836. At a height of 23 meters, this tower had to indicate where the coastline was. Unfortunately, this first tower often had to do its job in the fog, which is of course not optimal. So a second tower was built, the light of which did its job at 80 meters above sea level. The tower emits 3 white flashes every 20 seconds.
The lighthouse, outbuildings and surrounding grounds are classified as a historic monument. It is currently owned by the state.
At Argelès-sur-Mer, the coast is deserted and you set course for the interior of France, or the Pyrenees! Via some small villages you soon drive on the D2, once on that road you can already see the mountains looming in the distance. A short time later the asphalt starts to swing nicely again and it is noticeable that it is going up here.
The D2 is not too wide a road, reason to take it easy, after all you never know if an oncoming car is coming. The nice and quiet touring also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful surroundings even more.
Shortly after lunch in Ille-Sur-Têt, you will pass a beautiful landscape known as 'Les Orgues d'Ille-sur-Têt', roughly translated as the organ pipes of Ille-sur-Têt. These are beautiful rock formations that have been carved out in the shape of organ pipes as a result of natural erosion. The beautiful landscape is the impressive result of millions of years of erosion. Due to the influences of the earth, the sun, wind and water, this impressive landscape has been carved out of soft sandstone. Organ pipes were recognized early in history in the eroded pieces of rock that were sometimes 12 meters high. Throughout the centuries these special rocks have been called the 'chimneys of the elves'. According to others, the landscape resembled the ruins of castles such as can be found elsewhere in the region. This special landscape has been cherished over the centuries and can therefore be visited by interested people to this day.
After the fuel stop you drive a bit on the great D7. Beautifully landscaped road through a magnificent piece of nature. To the left and right of you, the rock walls tower high above you. The road is sometimes so narrow that two cars cannot pass each other. In many places there are small coves where you can wait for your oncoming car.
You drive here through the Galamus gorge, which was created by a millions of years of erosion by the water of the river Agly. Thanks to the power of the water, several natural caves have also been carved into this gorge. Since the seventh century AD, these caves have been used as a refuge for hermits, who built huts here and stayed until their death. This is how the famous hermitage, better known as Ermitage Saint-Antoine de Galamus, was created, which is located about halfway up the Gorges de Galamus. Although this hermitage dates back to the eleventh century, hermits stayed there until 1950.
Partly due to the special location of this hermitage, scenes from various films have been shot here, including scenes from the film The Ninth Gate, by director Roman Polanski in 1998.
Until the year 1889, the Gorges de Galamus was virtually impassable for cars. A large-scale operation, in which pieces of rock were destroyed so that a road could be built, ensured that in 1890 a route between the towns of Cubières-sur-Cinoble and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet could be put into use.
The route continues on the D7, which turns into the D10 a little later. The first collets of this route also present themselves. For example, you come across the Col du Linas, the Col de Saint-Louis and the Col du Campérié.
You will pass Lapradelle between the two last mentioned colljes. As soon as you enter this village you will see the Chateau Puilarens on the top left of a mountain. For a long time, this chateau remained the southernmost fortified castle in France. Located at an altitude of almost 697 meters, this castle dominates the village of Puilaurens-Lapradelle, in the middle of a pine forest. The exact moment when the castle came under royal control is unknown, but the annexation appears to have been completed around 1250: in 1255 Saint Louis ordered the Sénéchal de Carcassonne to fortify the castle. While it was defending the border in Aragon, it was occupied in 1259 by the largest garrison on the entire border, commanded by Odon de Montreuil. Until the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), the castle suffered repeatedly from Spanish invasions. Badly defended and poorly maintained from the end of the 17th century, it was eventually left to the revolution.
Today the chateau can be visited. The last part, however, is a 15-minute walk on a rocky path.
Almost at the end of the route you will pass the gorge of Pierre-Lys. Again, a great piece of nature that you drive through. Next to the road you see a river flowing, de l'Aude. You can also see from the presence of this river that it took quite a few years to wear out this gorge.
The cliffs on both sides of the road reach impressive heights. The roadside guardrail offers little more than symbolic protection. Yet great to ride!
A little later you will reach the end of this route in Quillan at hotel La Chaumière. It is a hotel located in the center of the town, around it are several restaurants, so there is also some entertainment in the evenings.
Have fun driving this route!
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
Catalonia
About this region
Catalonia (; Catalan: Catalunya [kətəˈluɲə, kataˈluɲa]; Aranese Occitan: Catalonha [kataˈluɲa]; Spanish: Cataluña [kataˈluɲa]) is an autonomous community in the northeastern corner of Spain, designated as a nationality by its Statute of Autonomy.Catalonia consists of four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. The capital and largest city, Barcelona is the second-most populated municipality in Spain and the fifth-most populous urban area in the European Union. It comprises most of the former Principality of Catalonia (with the remainder Roussillon now part of France's Pyrénées-Orientales). It is bordered by France (Occitanie) and Andorra to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the east, and the Spanish autonomous communities of Aragon to the west and Valencia to the south. The official languages are Catalan, Spanish, and the Aranese dialect of Occitan.In the late 8th century, various counties across the eastern Pyrenees were established by the Frankish kingdom as a defensive barrier against Muslim invasions. In the 10th century the County of Barcelona became progressively independent. In 1137, Barcelona and the Kingdom of Aragon were united by marriage under the Crown of Aragon. Within the Crown, the Catalan counties adopted a common polity, the Principality of Catalonia, developing its own institutional system, such as Courts, Generalitat and constitutions, becoming the base for the Crown's Mediterranean trade and expansionism. In the later Middle Ages, Catalan literature flourished. In 1469, the king of Aragon and the queen of Castile were married and ruled their realms together, retaining all of their distinct institutions and legislation.
During the Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659), Catalonia revolted (1640–1652) against a large and burdensome presence of the royal army, being briefly proclaimed a republic under French protection, until it was largely reconquered by the Spanish army. By the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), the northern parts of Catalonia, mostly the Roussillon, were ceded to France. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), the Crown of Aragon sided against the Bourbon Philip V of Spain; following Catalan defeat on 11 September 1714, Philip V imposed a unifying administration across Spain, enacting the Nueva Planta decrees which, like in the other realms of the Crown of Aragon, suppressed the Catalan institutions and rights. This led to the eclipse of Catalan as a language of government and literature, replaced by Spanish. Throughout the 18th century, Catalonia experienced economic growth.
In the 19th century, Catalonia was severely affected by the Napoleonic and Carlist Wars. In the second third of the century, it experienced industrialisation. As wealth from the industrial expansion grew, it saw a cultural renaissance coupled with incipient nationalism while several workers movements appeared. With the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939), the Generalitat was restored as a Catalan autonomous government. After the Spanish Civil War, the Francoist dictatorship enacted repressive measures, abolishing Catalan self-government and banning the official use of the Catalan language. After a period of autarky, from the late 1950s through to the 1970s Catalonia saw rapid economic growth, drawing many workers from across Spain, making Barcelona one of Europe's largest industrial metropolitan areas and turning Catalonia into a major tourist destination. During the Spanish transition to democracy (1975–1982), Catalonia regained self-government and is now one of the most economically dynamic communities of Spain.
Since the 2010s there has been growing support for Catalan independence. On 27 October 2017, the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence following a disputed referendum. The Spanish Senate voted in favour of enforcing direct rule by removing the Catalan government and calling a snap regional election. The Spanish Supreme Court imprisoned seven former ministers of the Catalan government on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds, while several others—including then-President Carles Puigdemont—fled to other European countries.
Read more on Wikipedia
During the Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659), Catalonia revolted (1640–1652) against a large and burdensome presence of the royal army, being briefly proclaimed a republic under French protection, until it was largely reconquered by the Spanish army. By the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), the northern parts of Catalonia, mostly the Roussillon, were ceded to France. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), the Crown of Aragon sided against the Bourbon Philip V of Spain; following Catalan defeat on 11 September 1714, Philip V imposed a unifying administration across Spain, enacting the Nueva Planta decrees which, like in the other realms of the Crown of Aragon, suppressed the Catalan institutions and rights. This led to the eclipse of Catalan as a language of government and literature, replaced by Spanish. Throughout the 18th century, Catalonia experienced economic growth.
In the 19th century, Catalonia was severely affected by the Napoleonic and Carlist Wars. In the second third of the century, it experienced industrialisation. As wealth from the industrial expansion grew, it saw a cultural renaissance coupled with incipient nationalism while several workers movements appeared. With the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939), the Generalitat was restored as a Catalan autonomous government. After the Spanish Civil War, the Francoist dictatorship enacted repressive measures, abolishing Catalan self-government and banning the official use of the Catalan language. After a period of autarky, from the late 1950s through to the 1970s Catalonia saw rapid economic growth, drawing many workers from across Spain, making Barcelona one of Europe's largest industrial metropolitan areas and turning Catalonia into a major tourist destination. During the Spanish transition to democracy (1975–1982), Catalonia regained self-government and is now one of the most economically dynamic communities of Spain.
Since the 2010s there has been growing support for Catalan independence. On 27 October 2017, the Catalan Parliament unilaterally declared independence following a disputed referendum. The Spanish Senate voted in favour of enforcing direct rule by removing the Catalan government and calling a snap regional election. The Spanish Supreme Court imprisoned seven former ministers of the Catalan government on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds, while several others—including then-President Carles Puigdemont—fled to other European countries.
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Route Collections in this region 7 day roundtrip from Girona to Catalonia Andorra and the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees stretch for more than 450 kilometers from the Bay of Biscay in the west to the Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean. The mountain range, with peaks of more than 3000 meters, forms a natural barrier that cuts off the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe. The main ridge of the mountain range also largely forms the state border between France and Spain, while the microstate Andorra lies between these two countries.
Bordering the Pyrenees is Catalonia, the hinterland of Barcelona. No wonder many new models of motorcycles are introduced to the press in Catalonia. There are many great ways to test the new models there. An additional advantage is that it is very quiet! You would almost say 'too quiet' because there is a danger that at some point you will use the entire width of the road, under the guise of 'you won't see oncoming traffic here'.... But let's keep it safe and stay on the right side of the center line.
These seven routes of this collection pass through these beautiful areas. Each and every one of these routes where especially the sides of the tires have a hard time. Whether on the gentle slopes in Catalonia or on the balcony roads in the Gorges in the French Pyrenees, make sure they're excited, because you can bet it's going to be exciting!
A few sights are discussed in the review for each route. These often tell something about the history of the area in which you drive. Fun facts, quite educational. There are also places where you can refuel and where you can drink coffee and/or have lunch. You are completely free to visit these places, you can of course also determine your own points of interest.
But the main thing you probably traveled to this area for is simply driving. And as mentioned above, you are in a true motorcycle paradise where the steering is fantastic!
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Girona to Sant Julia de Loria, 269km
R02 - Sant Julia de Loria to Pierrefitte Nestalas, 290km
R03 - Pierrefitte Nestalas to Barbastro, 291km
R04 - Barbastro to Puig Reig, 266km
R05 - Puig Reig to Figueres, 268km
R06 - Figueres to Quillan, 243km
R07 - Quillan to Gironam, 286km
Have fun driving these routes!
Bordering the Pyrenees is Catalonia, the hinterland of Barcelona. No wonder many new models of motorcycles are introduced to the press in Catalonia. There are many great ways to test the new models there. An additional advantage is that it is very quiet! You would almost say 'too quiet' because there is a danger that at some point you will use the entire width of the road, under the guise of 'you won't see oncoming traffic here'.... But let's keep it safe and stay on the right side of the center line.
These seven routes of this collection pass through these beautiful areas. Each and every one of these routes where especially the sides of the tires have a hard time. Whether on the gentle slopes in Catalonia or on the balcony roads in the Gorges in the French Pyrenees, make sure they're excited, because you can bet it's going to be exciting!
A few sights are discussed in the review for each route. These often tell something about the history of the area in which you drive. Fun facts, quite educational. There are also places where you can refuel and where you can drink coffee and/or have lunch. You are completely free to visit these places, you can of course also determine your own points of interest.
But the main thing you probably traveled to this area for is simply driving. And as mentioned above, you are in a true motorcycle paradise where the steering is fantastic!
Each route ends at a hotel. It is of course not an obligation to use these hotels, you can always find another place to stay in the area, that decision is up to you. My experience, however, is that they are all simple but good hotels for a very reasonable price. They are known and can be booked at booking.com.
The routes of these collections:
R01 - Girona to Sant Julia de Loria, 269km
R02 - Sant Julia de Loria to Pierrefitte Nestalas, 290km
R03 - Pierrefitte Nestalas to Barbastro, 291km
R04 - Barbastro to Puig Reig, 266km
R05 - Puig Reig to Figueres, 268km
R06 - Figueres to Quillan, 243km
R07 - Quillan to Gironam, 286km
Have fun driving these routes!
View Route Collection
Ten Day Roadtrip from Spain to Portugal
This route collection describes a 10-day Road trip in the north of Spain and Portugal, a true paradise for motorcycling.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
You drive over beautiful mountain ridges and through beautiful valleys. Along the way you drive through beautiful villages and countless nature reserves, great passes with countless curves, tunnels cut out of the mountains and azure blue reservoirs. The roads are fair to good, sometimes unpaved.
What you get to see along the way;
Spanish Pyrenees
Parc Naturel del Cadi-Moixero
Serra del Cadí
Serra de Moixeró
Pedraforca
Serra del Monsec
Collada de Clarà
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Collados del Asón Natural Park.
Parque natural Saja-Besaya
Parque natural de Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre
Parque natural de la Montana de Riano y Mampodre
Picos de Europa
El Parque regional Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre
El Parque natural de Redes
The Sierra de la Culebra
Parque natural Montesinho
Along the routes there are more than enough nice places to stop for a short or longer period, these are described in the review and with a waypoint and POI included in the routes.
Have fun reading and planning your next motorcycle vacation.
If you have ridden these routes I would like to hear your feedback.
View Route Collection