Somport tunnel in January? (1 Viewer)

skipper64

Free Member
Nov 28, 2012
88
48
Lincolnshire
Funster No
23,823
MH
A class
Exp
since 2001
Hi, We are thinking of using the Somport tunnel in January as an alternative to the motorways we have always used.Apart from the obvious advice of looking at the road conditions on line can anybody give us any advice or thoughts on this route in January please.Many thanks.
 

tonka

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 2, 2008
10,795
21,440
Cannock, Staffs
Funster No
3,141
MH
A class Burstner 800
Exp
Since 2000
check online weather conditions as you get near and make your decision then. You can get down to Oleron St Marie and it can be fine then get snow or bad weather on the final last 20 mins. Take it from one who knows :).. Also they can at times put out signs stating snow chains are compulsory along that road.
If in any doubt stick with main route and go via Irun...
 

tonka

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 2, 2008
10,795
21,440
Cannock, Staffs
Funster No
3,141
MH
A class Burstner 800
Exp
Since 2000
check online weather conditions as you get near and make your decision then. You can get down to Oleron St Marie and it can be fine then get snow or bad weather on the final last 20 mins. Take it from one who knows :).. Also they can at times put out signs stating snow chains are compulsory along that road.
If in any doubt stick with main route and go via Irun...

Whoops just noticed that I stated the obvious about road conditions.. Lol.. BUT it is the main thing you need to know...
I have done the route in November, January, February and March. It's always different.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Jaws

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 26, 2008
23,821
71,974
Thetford Norfolk
Funster No
4,189
MH
C class, Chieftain
Exp
since 2006 ( I think ! )
Looking at the terrain map I think we will stick to the A62.. Front wheel drive 5+ tonnes doe not make for an easy ride if the weather does turn ..
 

tonka

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 2, 2008
10,795
21,440
Cannock, Staffs
Funster No
3,141
MH
A class Burstner 800
Exp
Since 2000
Looking at the terrain map I think we will stick to the A62.. Front wheel drive 5+ tonnes doe not make for an easy ride if the weather does turn ..

It's a good road. Lots of large trucks use it.. Bit narrow in places on the French side. The Spanish side is a lot better. Very scenic.
 

Augusta08

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 25, 2015
949
1,405
Morbihan
Funster No
37,886
MH
Autocruise Augusta
Exp
Since 2001
I was think of using it , what is the Toll charge for a 7.5mtre 3mtr high van? Please.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Jaws

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 26, 2008
23,821
71,974
Thetford Norfolk
Funster No
4,189
MH
C class, Chieftain
Exp
since 2006 ( I think ! )
It's a good road. Lots of large trucks use it.. Bit narrow in places on the French side. The Spanish side is a lot better. Very scenic.
What is a bit narrow ? The A62 or the tunnel route ?
 

tonka

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 2, 2008
10,795
21,440
Cannock, Staffs
Funster No
3,141
MH
A class Burstner 800
Exp
Since 2000
I was think of using it , what is the Toll charge for a 7.5mtre 3mtr high van? Please.

Somport ??? It's free... No tolls
A63 via Irun I don't have a cost as its been a while plus last trip was in the car..

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
May 20, 2009
782
856
Haute Vienne, France
Funster No
6,799
Somport ??? It's free... No tolls
A63 via Irun I don't have a cost as its been a while plus last trip was in the car..
Last time on the A63 was February 2015. costs were
Bayonne - La Negresse (1st Peage going south) €3.40
St Jean de Luz - Biriatou (2nd Peage going south) €2.60

Both sections class 2. Van is 7.4M Over 3M with sat dish:xThumb::xThumb:

Forgot to mention that the Somport tunnel was closed due to heavy snow hence the reason for A63 route.
 
Last edited:

tonka

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 2, 2008
10,795
21,440
Cannock, Staffs
Funster No
3,141
MH
A class Burstner 800
Exp
Since 2000
Last time on the A63 was February 2015. costs were
Bayonne - La Negresse (1st Peage going south) €3.40
St Jean de Luz - Biriatou (2nd Peage going south) €2.60

Both sections class 2. Van is 7.4M Over 3M with sat dish:xThumb::xThumb:

Forgot to mention that the Somport tunnel was closed due to heavy snow hence the reason for A63 route.

Is there not 2 other tolls on the new section of the N10 / A63 ? 2 x €5.30 seems to ring a bell..
Plus a little Spanish one as you arrive at Irun..

PS,... Stop showing off !! Sat dish...:xdoh:
:rofl::rofl:
 
May 20, 2009
782
856
Haute Vienne, France
Funster No
6,799
Is there not 2 other tolls on the new section of the N10 / A63 ? 2 x €5.30 seems to ring a bell..
Plus a little Spanish one as you arrive at Irun..

PS,... Stop showing off !! Sat dish...:xdoh:
:rofl::rofl:

Sorry dont know about the N10/A63 as we joined the A63 south of Bordeaux because of the snow. Think Irun was either €0.80 or €1.20!! cant quite remember

The Sat dish was only there for show:xwink: as the box went up in smoke:xeek:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Aug 18, 2014
23,538
131,300
Lorca,Murcia,Spain
Funster No
32,898
MH
Transit PVC
Exp
16 years since restarting
check online weather conditions as you get near and make your decision then. You can get down to Oleron St Marie and it can be fine then get snow or bad weather on the final last 20 mins. Take it from one who knows :).. Also they can at times put out signs stating snow chains are compulsory along that road.
If in any doubt stick with main route and go via Irun...
Or park up in Lidl's ,Oleron-st.Maries & go over the road for a kebab.:xThumb:& wait for snow to melt.:xgrin:

Looking at the terrain map I think we will stick to the A62.. Front wheel drive 5+ tonnes doe not make for an easy ride if the weather does turn ..
yes as Tonka said you get artics on the road but there are a few :xrofl:narrow bits on the way down into France with overhangs that you need to keep an eye out for.
 

Jaws

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 26, 2008
23,821
71,974
Thetford Norfolk
Funster No
4,189
MH
C class, Chieftain
Exp
since 2006 ( I think ! )
yes as Tonka said you get artics on the road but there are a few :xrofl:narrow bits on the way down into France with overhangs that you need to keep an eye out for.

Again, ( sorry ! ) on which route do you speak ? The A62 or the tunnel ?
 

Scattycat

Free Member
Jan 3, 2013
920
1,262
Mayenne, France
Funster No
24,131
MH
Rapido
Exp
Since 2010
Sorry dont know about the N10/A63 as we joined the A63 south of Bordeaux because of the snow. Think Irun was either €0.80 or €1.20!! cant quite remember

The Sat dish was only there for show:xwink: as the box went up in smoke:xeek:
Hope the replacement doesn't go the same way. lol

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Feb 24, 2013
12,991
101,165
Bolsover, Derbyshire
Funster No
24,833
MH
Hymer S800
Exp
not long enough
we came over the top a la @Terry in October (Terry tried it in Feb I think) much higher than the Somport, definitely snow affected, the top is littered with ski runs. I would reckon the Somport will be kept clear when ever they can, but the French side of the of route was definitely the more 'exciting' overhangs bends etc

watch for signs and do as the locals you wont go far wrong :)
 

homercostello

Free Member
Jul 11, 2010
232
209
kidsgrove staffs
Funster No
12,558
MH
Dethleffs globetrotter
Exp
9 years
we travelled through the tunnel last week no sign of snow on the route except on the high peaks the weather there as been very warm as in England averageing above 3 degrees so no ice either of course things can change very quickly. the aire in oloron had a gypsy encamped there with a caravan and awning up and kids and bikes. a lot of us used the car park round the corner about 200 yards away with no problems.
Jeff

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
skipper64

skipper64

Free Member
Nov 28, 2012
88
48
Lincolnshire
Funster No
23,823
MH
A class
Exp
since 2001
Thanks for all your inputs,think the key is to check weather conditions before leaving Oloron and having the snow chains handy.Once again many thanks.
 

Terry

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 27, 2007
11,904
8,969
Lincolnshire
Funster No
1,075
MH
A class
Exp
Can't remember ;)
If it's any help as @DavidG58 says we came over (almost)end of FEB :xgrin:Over the tops we came up against 5/6ft of snow at the last Ski resort and from what I understood no one interested clearing it :xblink:after that Eventually found the tunnel road (long story that someone may have a link to :xwink:) Road was kept clear and although hairy in places made a great driving road :xThumb: and made sure we did not fall asleep :xgrin:
terry
 

Judge Mental

Funster
Deceased RIP
Sep 2, 2009
6,650
5,883
Sarth London
Funster No
8,272
MH
Possl 636 FR panel van
Exp
1994 and beyond...
What is a bit narrow ? The A62 or the tunnel route ?

Somport....it gets a bit rural on the french side. Really nice route though came back that way for first time last Spanish trip... but in the dead of winter maybe not.

happy Christmas everyone!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jul 18, 2009
11,036
17,482
Manchester UK + Javea/Xabia Costa Blanca Spain
Funster No
7,543
MH
HYMER B644
Exp
2004
Go for the tunnel. We have used the smaller tunnel routes over the last 10 years and we love it (Winter tyres and twin RWD on last two Motorhomes 5.3t). Not been in the smaller RWD yet.

Aragnouet-Bielsa is another Nice route from the pretty cultural town of St. Lary-Soulan. There is a great all-year site ACSI http://www.camping-le-rioumajou.com/
 

Busman

Free Member
Jul 25, 2013
1,766
4,332
Wirral
Funster No
27,120
MH
Esterel
Exp
A few years
If it's any help as @DavidG58 Road was kept clear and although hairy in places made a great driving road :xThumb: and made sure we did not fall asleep :xgrin:
terry
Thought it was Mitch's screaming that kept you awake :xlaugh:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
skipper64

skipper64

Free Member
Nov 28, 2012
88
48
Lincolnshire
Funster No
23,823
MH
A class
Exp
since 2001
Thanks TeeMyob that's something to think about.We don't have RWD but we do have snow chains,but hope we don't have to use them!!
 

moulin 87

Free Member
Aug 31, 2015
688
811
Limousin, France
Funster No
38,044
MH
Dethleffs Espirit T7150
Exp
Newbie
If you look here it will give you real time info on the route to the Somport tunnel..

Broken Link Removed
 

tonka

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 2, 2008
10,795
21,440
Cannock, Staffs
Funster No
3,141
MH
A class Burstner 800
Exp
Since 2000
WHATEVER YOU DO..!!! DONT....
Go on youtube and watch videos of people going through the tunnel. !!
It's like watching paint dry.. over 5 miles of the same thing.. :xdoh:
:rofl::rofl::rofl:
 

moulin 87

Free Member
Aug 31, 2015
688
811
Limousin, France
Funster No
38,044
MH
Dethleffs Espirit T7150
Exp
Newbie

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top