GREAT PYRENEES ROAD TRIP

Crossing the major mountain passes of the Navarrese Pyrenees, this route connects the region with the French northern slopes. The route can be started from at any point. Traveling east to west, it links the Belagua, Sainte-Engrâce, and Larrau passes—frequent settings for the Tour de France and La Vuelta. From these high-altitude passes, the route descends into the Salazar Valley before ascending toward the Abaurrea villages and dropping into the Aezkoa Valley. It passes the ruins of the Orbaizeta Arms Factory and climbs the Azpegi Pass back toward the French border. Following a steep descent to the village of Valcarlos, the route ascends Ibañeta Pass, followed by a series of climbs and descents toward Urkiaga Pass and the Esteribar Valley. The journey continues along the southern slopes of the Navarrese Pyrenees. After ascending Erro Pass, the path crosses the Erro Valley via remote roads into the Arce Valley. It then returns to the Aezkoa Valley and the Abaurrea road. The circuit concludes by crossing the Navascués plateau via the Coronas Pass, returning to the Roncal Valley.