Anyone suggest a good driving route to Spa from Calais?

Anyone suggest a good driving route to Spa from Calais?

Author
Discussion

Far Cough

Original Poster:

2,332 posts

175 months

Saturday 16th March 2013
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As title really. I know its 3hrs on the motorway but am looking for a more interesting drive cross country ?

Cheers

yanmar

276 posts

259 months

Sunday 17th March 2013
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Without looking, I think the E42nearly takes you there.Not used it my self, but know people who have and they prefer it to the Brussels run. going to use it in May when going to the classic myself.

DaveEssex

252 posts

164 months

Sunday 17th March 2013
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yanmar said:
Without looking, I think the E42nearly takes you there.Not used it my self, but know people who have and they prefer it to the Brussels run. going to use it in May when going to the classic myself.
Have used it a couple of times and sadly the E42 is NOT a good alternative to the E40 etc.
All of my attempts so far to find a pleasurable and reasonably direct route have failed, so would be equally as interested as the OP if somebody can solve this dilema.

bobsan

495 posts

226 months

Monday 18th March 2013
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Calais to Spa must be done via the Ring

Far Cough

Original Poster:

2,332 posts

175 months

Monday 18th March 2013
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bobsan said:
Calais to Spa must be done via the Ring
yes good point ! But on this occasion it will not sadly.

Looked at heading south east on the m/way for about 100 miles and then blasting cross country east the rest of the way meandering round the backroads. Seems as good as any in the absence of particularly good recommended roads.

carsarecool

4,428 posts

246 months

Saturday 23rd March 2013
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Going to Spa for the Classic race end of May with a party of about 16 people.

Looking at routes also so any suggestions would be very helpful.


Longers

4,497 posts

235 months

Saturday 23rd March 2013
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Far Cough said:
As title really. I know its 3hrs on the motorway but am looking for a more interesting drive cross country ?

Cheers
Let me know how long you want to spend on the road to Spa and I'll offer some suggestions wink

Far Cough

Original Poster:

2,332 posts

175 months

Saturday 23rd March 2013
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5 ish hours. I have had a look and cutting cross country east just below charleroi looks ok but I`ll gladly listen to those that have experience

carsarecool

4,428 posts

246 months

Sunday 31st March 2013
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We're going with approx 15 people in various cars.

Eurotunnel 11:50 on the Thursday, just wondering when everyone else is travelling?

Might see you along he way thumbup

yanmar

276 posts

259 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
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Planning to catch boat around 6 on Friday(Dover) so we can have a breakfast and then on down to spa

guanche

1 posts

139 months

Wednesday 10th April 2013
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Hiya!
I haven't sorted it yet, but I am planning to go to the Classic Spa from Thursday evening - Saturday evening. I will probably be driving (slowly) in my 1967 Commer campervan. Would be nice to meet some people and/or share some travelling costs on the way. Camping would be my option when over there.

Any idea what the cheapest Ferry is?

I am based in Berkshire.
cheers!
Isaak

JamesyBoy75

122 posts

164 months

Monday 27th April 2015
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I'm heading to Spa this weekend for WEC, going to be on the motorbike so don't really fancy motorway all the way.

Anyone got any better ideas?

gruffalo

7,686 posts

233 months

Tuesday 14th May 2019
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Thought I would resurrect this thread as heading down to Spa on Friday and would like to more scenic route that the motorway if possible but I also want to get there so nice quick roads would be great, is this possible?

chopper602

2,255 posts

230 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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gruffalo said:
Thought I would resurrect this thread as heading down to Spa on Friday and would like to more scenic route that the motorway if possible but I also want to get there so nice quick roads would be great, is this possible?
Beware some of the Belgian back roads and even some of the dual carriageways are seriously lacking in surface. You think roads in the UK are bad, these are worse . . .

Far Cough

Original Poster:

2,332 posts

175 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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If you use "Tyre" I can send you a good route. I`ll attach a screen shot but basically head to CHARLOI on the motorway and then just head East using the back roads.


The JM

133 posts

232 months

Saturday 25th May 2019
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I often head south to Chimay then back up to Calais.

A nice drive around the old road circuit at Chimay is always good fun and plenty of great restaurants to have lunch in, plus the beer that bears the town name is awesome. Road surfaces can simply disappear in a few places, but some great open driving roads to enjoy. The biggest issue is time, it adds at least 2 hours to the drive, but if I'm not in a hurry then I go this way.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Spa-Francorchamps,...

mOrtt

420 posts

159 months

Thursday 5th October 2023
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Resurrecting this thread once again as I'm off to Spa in November and wondering if anyone has a more enjoyable route than motorways.

if not, which is the better option from E40 vs E42?