Hi we are going to Portugal in January, has anyone used the Vielha Tunnel and is there a toll on it. Many Thanks Bob.:thumb:
Hi! I crossed it 4 or 5 years ago.... and it's just awfull! narrow and very old, water everywhere pfffff! I'll check for you on french web wether they repaired or changed anything there! Are we talking about the same tunnel? it's supposed to be after crossing Luchon, isn't it? Best regards Frankie
Had a look and it appears that french and spanish have repaired and put one more lane. It's sounds safe! couldn't find anything about toll.If nobody can tell you about it, i'll give a call to ASF (french highways) . :Wink: Amicalement Frankie
Hi thanks for the reply and your help, I was told they had built a new tunnel, and googled and saw a thread on another site which he said: Yes the new Vielha tunnel is open - I have just come back that way. The tunnel is excellent, wide, straight and very well lit though we had heavy snow both ends the day we came through! The route is much quieter and shorter than going via Perpignan or Biarritz and their are no tolls! . And thats all I have found at the moment, we will have to see, If it has not been open that long maybe no one has been through it, that was posted on the Apr 11 2008 Many Thanks. Bob.:BigGrin:
It's Brilliant. Came through the Vielha Tunnel on Friday. It is now absolutely brilliant. The old tunnel was atrocious (narrow, fume-choked, pot-holed) when we last used it about 3 years ago, but a new tunnel was being bored alongside it. That is now open. There are two lanes southbound (i.e. the uphill direction) and one northbound. The old tunnel is now being enlarged too so when that opens there will be three lanes each way. There are no tolls and the gradients up to the tunnels are easy on both sides. For the last couple of years we have used the Bielsa tunnel as that was not as bad as the old Vielha tunnel. That one has steep gradients up to it on the French side. The other tunnel that is very good is the Somport, somewhat further west, but the approach roads on the French side are not as good. Of course in January you just might need snow chains. You cannot us them *through* the tunnel but there are pull-off areas at both ends for fitting them. Have a good trip. Barrie :BigGrin:
i have used the velha tunnel ,i thought it was a great achievment and yes it was abit scary at times .thought it was never going to end. an experiance not to be missed . or go over the top its beautifull as well specially after the snow.
Bob, The tunnel is fine and no tolls as been mentioned.The route through from France to Spain is Fab but it must be suitable for the journey you intend to do. The vielha is good from LeHavre or Calais to Barcelona side of Spain not Portugal , this area to be accessed from west coast France into northen Spain Via Burgos and westward towards Salamanca. There are plenty of free motorways in France from the above ports into Spain. Good luck on your journey. PS I'm due through the tunnel again next week on my way back from Tarragona area. Ron W
