Tabernas Desert initial plan
So far I have planned a route down to Tabernas. I need to look at the options around the desert area (and perhaps do a little exploring!) but have a different route in mind to take you back – via Gatofe/Cazola/Cuenca and out of Spain via the Smugglers Pass into Andorra. But more of that later, first I’ll give the proposed route down.
Just a few things to remember about road numbers & fuel in Spain – the alpha prefix changes according to the Province you are in and sometimes the road number itself changes. Fuel in motorway services is the same as non-motorway stations but s/markets are cheapest.
On the back roads (usually narrow) the locals you catch up with will be travelling at 40kph while the ones coming towards you are all related to Alonso!
Somport – Villafranca
From Somport tunnel (N134 in France becomes N330 in Spain) pas Villanua – right (R) onto MU.V 2201 signed for Boran – Aisa – Jasa. After Jasa left (L) onto MU 212 then left onto A176 direction (D) Puente La Reina de Jaca. [Alternative 1 below]
L onto N240 over river then R onto A132 D Bailo. Past Bailo R onto A2603 D Longras/ Isuerre/ Navardun (after Navardun road becomes A1601) D Sos Del Rey Catolico.
R onto A127 D Sanguesa – before then turn L onto NA 5340 (you are in Navarra) D Caseda.
In Caseda L onto NA 534 D Carcastillo
In Carcastillo L onto NA128 for Melida (not Sabada) & Caparroso
Past Caparosso the NA128 joins the N121 for a short while then R following [*below & Alternative 2] NA128 D Marcilla/AP15
Just before AP15 (Peage M/way) take NA660 Villafranca.
Campsite is on NA660: Ctra NA669, Pk 13.4, Villafranca. 0034 948 846 191
For those coming via Santander – coast m/way past Bilbao and follow Pamplona then N121 *
[Alternative 1: N330 then R onto B240 D Puente La Reina de Jaca]
[Alternative 2: Pick up N240 at either Jaca or Puente La Reina de Jaca D Pamplona (N240 becomes A21) B4 Pamplona ring road (O-rd) take N121 south D Tafalla then NA128 as above.
Villafranca – Tirig via Bardenas Reales
From Campsite south R on NA660 join NA134 D Tudela. L onto NA125 (signed Bardenas Reales)
Soon after entering the park the road splits left probably signed Sabada will take you into the interior of the park and its numerous trails. (Please note in Park Naturals you can use the trails but in Park Nationals no motorised vehicles are allowed on the trails). Whichever way you leave the park 0 Sabada or NA125 (not Tudela direction) you will come to the CHE1501 Turn Right for Tauste.
At Tauste pick up A127 then A126 D Remolines – Alagon then join A68 D Zaragoza (Not AP68 as this is a peage) Follow A68 onto Zaragoza O-rd (A-2 the Z 40) following signs for Alcaniz. Take N232 for Alcaniz. Pass Morella to CV132 D San Mateu. At San Mateu take CV130 for Tirig.
Campsite at Tirig: Caravan Park La Valltorta, Pda. Pla de l’Om, SN 12179 Tirig, Castellon.
(40.25’26”N 0.4’49”E) {Steve you would need to check with site re dogs – limit 2 but the other site nearby closes at the end of September or we would need to find another site near Morella).
Tirig – Morella – offroad- Enguera – Campsite
Tirig – follow signs for Cati & join CV128. L onto N232 to Morella……
This is where the road book from
www.voyage4x4.com – Manllen-Engera is needed. My information/maps don’t give the necessary detail. Morella – Engera is approx. 300kms and based on Mark’s experience would necessitate 2 nights wild camping. The 3rd night would be at the campsite that Pete (Wobbly) knows. I think the route will use the CV584 into Engera but directions or location of campsite so I can finish this part please, Pete.
Pete’s campsite to Tabernas
Details when I have then but join A7 (motorway) (avoid AP7)
Leave A7 at J504 (junctions are listed as kms numbers in Spain) [This does not mean that you have to go 504 kms! It is actually about an hour and a half] onto A1102 through Sorbas Natural Park.
Join A340a D Tabernas then L onto AL3103 (just past fuel station) then 3rd right to campsite:
Oro Verde Caravan & Campsite, Piezzas de Algarra, Tabernas 0034 600258768
? Mark do you have that road book?
? Pete can you send me the info on the campsite
? Steve you need to see if 3 dogs is acceptable at Tirig
Finally, I do not have GPS so all of this done with maps (and other trickery) so please tell us if you are interested in the trip and I will also continue planning the return leg and post that. Observations and comments are more than welcome.
Regards,