The MTB route of the BASQUE PYRENEES forests
3 - 6 Stages of Pure Mountain Bike in Spain through the Atlantic Pyrenees
SELF-GUIDED ROUTE WITH GPS
BASOAK Baztan - Irati - Mountain Bike
BASOAK Baztan - Irati MTB is the version of BASOAK that is more focused on the North of Navarra. Its axes are clearly the Irati Forest, the Baztan Valley, and the endless forests of Quinto Real. We can "visualize" it by imagining a triangle whose vertices are; in the North the Baztan, the EREMUA MTB and Trail Center or what is the same; the Esteribar Valley in the South, and Roncesvalles or Irati/Larraun (depending on the option we choose) as the third vertex in the East. Between these vertices there are 3 BASOAK MTB point to point stages, C, J and K.
A circle at each vertex of the triangle contributes to the system another 3 stages, D, L and M, these circular ones, which we can decide whether or not to include in our trip, and which grant a flexibility of between 3 and 6 stages to the proposal.
Overall, this is a route with a high level of physical and moderate technical demands. It could be summed up by saying that we are not looking for enduro but rather for "singletrack", the more "flow" the better. In some stages this is achieved better and in others worse.
And as in all BASOAK, proposals, when the route crosses territories with "influence" of an active MTB Center, we integrate as far as possible in our tracks the routes of the Center that best suit our route intention, thus including paths initially designed for more local use in our long-distance proposals.
The PIRINEOS PUNTO BIKE proposal to pedal the route is broadly speaking, a Self Guided Pack which includes the Half Board Accommodations, the Tracks of the route, a sheet with documentation with the different alternatives of route for each stage , and Luggage Transport from hotel to hotel.
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- The Route
- Stage C
- Stage J
- Stage K
- Stage D
- Stage L
- Stage H
Stage C: Eremua/Zubiri - Burguete
Distance: 41 km Unevenness: 1.715 m
Stage J: Burguete - Baztan
Distance: 53 km Unevenness: 1.315 m
Stage K: Baztan - Eremua/Zubiri
Distance: 49 km Unevenness: 1.695 m
Stage Optional D: Circular Irati
Distance: 63 km Unevenness: 1.210 m
Stage Optional L: Circular Baztan
Distance: 56 km Unevenness: 1.605 m
Stage Optional H: Circular Eremua
Distance: 40 km Unevenness: 1.310 m
The complete tour
Distance: 302 km Unevenness: 8.850 m
Stage C: Eremua/Zubiri - Burguete
Distance: 41 km Unevenness: 1.715 m
From the Quinto Real to Roncesvalles.
"Camouflaged" in the green line of the profile we find 2 descents of type "Eremua". The 1st deposit us in the vicinity of Zilbeti, and the 2nd, the so-called Balseta, on the equator of the stage in Sorogain. On the way we will have left behind the almost disappeared "Gernika de Picasso" painted on the trees, the bunkers of P Line - built during "Franco's Spain" to repel a possible Allied attack after World War 2 - and all the almost "magical" environment of the northern slope of the Adi Peak that we will have bordered while we contemplate - if time permits - the small rural cores of the Basque-French Pays at our feet.
We leave the territory "Quinto Real" and we go into "Roncesvalles" territory. The P Line keeps emerging sporadically, the information panels and QR codes that also arise sporadically in specific places, interpret the "Archeology of war" and tell us about the battles that developed on these same slopes during the French withdrawal in the War of Independence - slopes in which we, fortunately in our own bike way, also fight -. The sheep, which have been where you see them for more than 5,000 years, tell us about the shepherd past. Roncesvalles, which also appears there, tells us about centuries of pilgrims and battles between Franks and Vascones.
The descents are here more "flows" than in the 1st part and after descending the "avenue" that suddenly deposits us in the Weapons Factory of Orbaitzeta, we have almost finished the stage and we can to go back in time again and imagine the frantic activity that developed between those now old walls during the years in which the cannonballs came out of their furnaces and workshops and made it possible to create an empire "where the sun never set".
Cencellada, bunker of the P Line and Pirineum Navarrorum flow. Magic at BASOAK MTB
Col de Aratun, geographical reference of the Adi massif.
Path along the eastern slope of the Adi. We are at the highest point of the route.
Demanding climb between the Sorogain Lodge and the Txasperro summit-
Spectacle under the slopes of Mendiaundi.
The descent to Roncesvalles begins on the slopes of Mendiaundi Peak.
The Colegiata de Roncesvalles in its environment.
We leave Roncesvalles and head back towards the Irati Forest, crossing the southern slopes of the Pyrenees.
Sections of "flow" on the descent to the old weapons factory of Orbaitzeta.
Weapons Factory of Orbaizeta, we are very close to the end of the stage, so we can "get lost" for a while between its ruins and its history.
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Stage J: Burguete - Baztan - Distance: 53 km Unevenness: 1.315 m
If we have slept in Burguete, the stage starts with a powerful descent towards Urepel.
Interiors of the North slope of the Basque/French Pyrenees. Paths of the territory known as Quinto Norte.
The Baztan Valley appears, the descent of the day begins.
n some moments we will doubt if the "bugs" we see are sheep or goats.
Cyclist grazing in Gorostapolo.
Hidden places of the Baztan Valley.
Scenes of the route as it passes under the Urkulu Tower.
Astobizkar summit with its "Archaeology of War" item signage. We are at the highest point (1,499 meters) of the demanding version of the route. Under its slopes a river of pilgrims. The Camino de Santiago enters Navarra.
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Stage K: Baztan - Eremua/Zubiri - Distance: 49 km Unevenness: 1.695 m
Hard climb before returning to the bucolic surroundings of the Basque/French Valley of Kintoa.
Simply overflowing beauty at the halfway point of the K stage of BASOAK MTB, again the amazing KINTOA.
Those who like "fun" can choose to finish the stage along the emblematic Nafar Whistler track of Eremua MTB and Trail Center.
In the 2nd half of the stage, the Baztan will once again give way to darkness and to the hidden places of the Quinto Real forests where we started the route a few days ago.
At the foot of the northern slope of the Basque Pyrenees, after climbing a narrow valley, hides, in the style of that "Shangri-La" of the movies, the backwater of the villages of Alduides and Urepel -warm waters in the Basque language-
Hopefully when you see it the light will be different.
End of the day in the Eugi Reservoir.
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Stage Optional D: Circular Irati
Distance: 63 km Unevenness: 1.210 m
Stage D of BASOAK MTB is the "SELVA DE IRATI" stage.
A tarmac road helps us quickly get into the heart of the forests. We also continue lightly through the succession of tracks and wide paths that define the track while we advance "crossing out" objectives, Irabia Reservoir, Irati Houses, Cascada del Cubo... a wall that makes us stand up and enter the North slope, the Basque-French one, where the paved tracks once again print rhythm to the track.
The character of total forest and wood environment predominant until now begins to combine with areas of pastures and livestock environment culminating in the wide top of the Okabe. This, if the fog does not prevent it, will become a practically unforgettable 360º viewpoint only blocked to the east by the imposing mass of the Ori Peak - the first 2000, on this side, of the Pyrenean mountain range - which we almost seem to be able to touch.
The megalithic complex of Hilarrita appears on the side of the road, which with its waste of 26 cromlechs constitutes one of the most important funerary groups - if not the most - of Pyrenean prehistory.
We are already going down. Until the end of the stage - except for a slight comeback to "relocate" - everything will be down or flat. Grassy hills ... stretches of "singletrack" ... tracks and pastoral shepherds, maybe some boring dog ... Bridge of the Question ... Swamp of Irabia again ... more trails along the sometimes uncomfortable Channel Betolegi, through which the waters that begin to give shape to the Irati River are channeled ... and we are back on the wooded tracks that lead us to the end of the stage.
Daily scenes on the slopes of Okabe Peak.
One of the most impressive megalithic complexes of the Pyrenees. The 26 cromlechs of Hilarrita in the vicinity of the top of Okabe.
Some technical trails bordering the lake of Irabia.
The route alternates wooded areas with others of a more pastoral nature.
We reached the top of the Okabe without getting off the bike. When the fog does not prevent it, its 1466 meters of altitude and its location in the center of the Pyrenean axis make up a spectacular viewpoint.
Descent of the Okabe Peak.
Dam of the Irabia reservoir in the heart of the SELVA de IRATI.
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Stage Optional L: Circular Baztan
Distance: 56 km Unevenness: 1.605 m
Last rays of the sun in the mountains of BAZTAN.
View over the Aritzakun Valley, hidden corners or almost "deep Navarre". Toponymy with sound force in this area; Aritzakun, Urritzate, Arizkun, Bozate...
Typical Baztan landscape
The descent to Dantxarienea from the top of Gorospil along the crest of the image is the "icing on the cake" of the circular stage of BASOAK MTB in BAZTAN. It can be viewed on YouTube in this spectacular video edited by Skydio 2.
Watch video Larla MTB
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Stage Optional H: Circular Eremua
Distance: 40 km Unevenness: 1.310 m
Ascent along the Sugea route, the ascent line of the Eremua MTB Center.
The Goitiko Gaina hill forms the border between the beech forests in the North of Navarra and the meadows that colonize the territory further South.
Nooks of the route, Selva de Anue.
Entrance of old mines. The descent to Lantz, in the Ultzama Valley follows the old path -rehabilitated by local bikers- formerly used by miners.
Lantz, an emblematic Navarran town known mainly for its famous carnivals and for the wings on its houses.
Sequence of valleys and mountains between the Navarrese Pyrenees and the Pamplona Basin.
Environment of meadows and low forest in the 2nd part of the stage back to the Esteribar Valley.
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Depending on the sporting level of the participants, the route can be lengthened and the accommodation in Burguete replaced by the one in the Larraun neighborhood, closer to IRATI. In this option, which we call PLUS, stages C and D -especially the last one- are quite demanding in terms of sports and you will have to be well trained to finish them in good condition.
If you have doubths, do not hesitate and use some of the buttons below, we respond quickly.
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- The hotels on the route
- FAQ
- Lodging for stages with start in Zubiri
- Lodging for stages with start in Burguete
- Lodging for stages with start in Espinal
- Lodging for stages with start in Irati / Larraun
- Lodging for stages with start in Elizondo Hotel Trinkete 3*
- Hotel Rural Txantxorena -
Hotel Loizu
Hostal Rural Haizea
Hostal Rural Mendilatz
Hostal Rural Urkixokoa
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- Best time to go: > The route can be done once the snow disappears in the highest mountains of the route. From there, we dare not say that one era is better than another. It really depends on the specific weather of the days we choose.
Do not underestimate the weather, not even in the middle of summer. The conditions -especially in the Pyrenees- can be identical to those of the Central Pyrenees. To summarize... our advice is: bring even the long culotte and if it doesn´t come out from the suitcase, all the better.
In summer it is necessary to be aware of the possibility of storms -frequent in the afternoons-. - Type of tracks: Paths and tracks with more physical than technical demands, both uphill and downhill. The "singletracks" selected from the MTB Centres through which the route passes are usually blue level. Sometimes they can be red, but it is always a temporary and avoidable difficulty. To summarise, we can say that the aim is to make the paths have "flow" while avoiding the "enduro" concept as much as possible.".
For technically demanding sections - which sometimes exist - when possible we offer alternative tracks, although the easiest way to avoid distorting the route is to get off the bike. - Ideal bike: Preferably a dual suspension MTB bike.
- Orientation: The route must be followed with a GPS device or with the mobile phone App that you are used to using for the same purpose.
It is not advisable to try to learn how to use an App on the fly.
We do not provide Apps or GPS user manuals. It is up to the users to have this knowledge.
There is no on-site signage. - Ciclability: Depending on the technical skills and strength of each person, the route is 98% cyclable.
- Provisioning: Although we sometimes find refreshment points, depending on the time of year we may find that some establishments are closed. The documentation we provide at the start of the route provides information on the options at each stage.
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- Important -
In the rural world that our routes run through, hotel establishments are usually small. It is often difficult to book the sequence of accommodations necessary to complete a Pack, especially if the number of participants in a group is a bit high.
Booking in advance is often the key. It is not a commercial trick on our part. Many times, that reservation with enough time in advance is simply the difference between being able or not being able to reserve the Pack.
TARIFFS 2024
3 Stages / 3 Nights
3 point to point stages; C + J + K
396 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
436 € Price per person for groups of 4 or 5 people
496 € Price per person for groups of 3 people
530 € Price per person for groups of 2 people
Single room supplement: 97 €
When the group consists of an even number of people, an even number of applications will also be necessary to access this supplement.
4 Stages / 4 Nights
1 circular and 3 point to point stages
512 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
544 € Price per person for groups of 4 or 5 people
612 € Price per person for groups of 3 people
636 € Price per person for groups of 2 people
Single room supplement: 129 €
5 Stages / 5 Nights
2 circular and 3 point to point stages
644 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
676 € Price per person for groups of 4 or 5 people
770 € Price per person for groups of 2 or 3 people
Single room supplement: 156 €
6 Stages / 6 Nights
3 circular and 3 point to point stages
732 € Price per person for groups of 6 or more people
776 € Price per person for groups of 5 people
766 € Price per person for groups of 4 people
856 € Price per person for groups of 2 or 3 people
Single room supplement: 184 €
And you can add a Night with Breakfast at the end of the route -in the same hotel where you started it- - for 48 € per person in a double room or for 66 € in a single room
In these proposals when the groups are odd, the accommodation is offered in double rooms and a single room.
- TRIPLE ROOMS ARE NEVER USED -
If you want the price of the Pack to be cheaper, perhaps we can lower the level of one of the chosen hotels. And also, if the number of participants is odd; request a triple room.
- This management is only done once the Pack has been contracted -
Rates for the whole year, subject to availability.
The prices may vary when the dates coincide with the Easter holidays or with the Patron Festivities of any of the places of accommodation.
INCLUDED
- As many nights of accommodation in Hotel as stages have the Pack
The 1st in B&B and the rest in Half board - Shower and luggage reception at the end of the last stage despite you don’t spend the night at the finalising point of the route
Transport of luggage between hotels
1 bag or package of a maximum of 20 kg per person
If not needed, the cost of this service will be deducted from the proposal- Tracks of the route in GPX format for mobile phones or GPS devices and printed map with each day routes options
- Explanatory printed map-sketch of the different route options for each stage
One per stage - Link to services that may be necessary along the route
- Presentation of the route and delivery of information in hand the day of the arrival of the group to the hotel or the morning of the next day when groups are of 6 or more people
- Telephone assistance for incidents or consultations during the days of the contracted activity
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NOT INCLUDED
- Beers or other consumptions outside the proposed menus in the dinners or during the stay in hotels
- Meals in restaurants at the time of the noon, unless it has been agreed previously to replace dinner with meals
- Any kind of sports material, helmets, shoes, etc
- Mechanical Assistance during the activity
If possible, we will try to help you in case of a breakdown, but in many situations this help can be very limited due to lack of specific spare parts or other circumstances. The cost of the service if it can be done is € 18 per hour + € 0.40 per kilometer. - Anything not expressly indicated in the offer
OPTIONS
- Airport/station pick up
We put you in contact with the transfer companies that provide these services. We do not include its cost in our proposal. - Bicycle rental
We put you in touch with a rental service in the nearest place to the route start point - Hire Asistance / Accident Insurance
and / or Trip Cancellation Insurance
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