The best road cycling routes around Lacarry-Arhan-Charritte-De-Haut

The road is relatively quiet and slopes gently downhill.

Without a doubt, the Col de la Piedra de Saint Martin or Pierre Saint-Martin is one of the Top 10 in the whole of the Pyrenees. Without exceeding 2000 metres of altitude, it is a very long pass, with a lot of accumulated gradient (due to the innumerable French slopes, the gradient is 1,450 metres), with very hard slopes and several kilometres above 10%, with wonderful landscapes and panoramic views and with little traffic, except for the slopes crossed by the main road (D132 in France, the NA 137 in Spain). It is a pass with many slopes; in Europe there are few other passes that have as many slopes as this one (col de Turini, Passo delle Erbe, would be comparable in number of slopes approximately). I have only climbed it by 2 slopes: (i) my first time was from Lourdios Ichère, crossing the col de Labays and the col de Soudet. Simply spectacular; (ii) I have subsequently climbed the Spanish side on several occasions, which is unique, and which starts from Belagua and crosses the Belagua cross-country ski resort to reach the mountain pass. It is also very beautiful, with a landscape and views different from the north-east side. If I had to choose one of the two, I liked the north-west side better because it is more remote, harder and in my opinion more authentic. It is also a culturally special mountain pass because the Tribute of the 3 cows takes place on its summit every 13th of July, which is considered the oldest treaty in force in Europe. So... you know... you cannot miss the opportunity to come here and enjoy this wonderful jewel of the Pyrenees!!!!

If you come to visit the Iparralde area... you can't miss it. It's worth a visit, either by bike or after the route. It has a lot of activity and life, especially in summer.

In the idyllic setting of Iraty, at this crossroads between Col de Burdinkurutzeta, Col Bargargi (or Col d'Iraty as it is also marked on some signs) and Surzai Lepoa, this chalet is an ideal place to have a drink and enjoy the local produce, especially raw sheep's milk cheese. My experience at this chalet has been fantastic. The person in charge treated me very well, was very attentive to our group of cyclists and sold us some exquisite cheese. Without a doubt, a place to eat well!!!

The Puerto de Laza is a small and beautiful hill that joins the valleys of Roncal (starting from Isaba) and Salazar (starting from Ochagavía) in the Navarrese Pyrenees. Both sides are very similar: a very easy start on a winding road, in perfect condition but without a hard shoulder, passing through small towns and going up the course of the respective rivers Anduña (Salazar valley) and Urbi (Roncal valley); a final stretch of 2 - 3 kms that is harder without being too much so, although there are some slopes above 10%. The Salazar valley side becomes harder when leaving behind the detour to the Larrau port. From here to the port there are 3 km with an average gradient of 7%. On the other hand, the Roncal valley side becomes harder when overcoming a bridge over the river that has been with us since we left Isaba behind. From here it is barely 2 km with an average gradient of 7%. From a landscape perspective, it is a port that I love because you can enjoy the exuberance of the vegetation of the Pyrenees, crossing narrow valleys and only with panoramic views when you reach the top, where there is a viewing point that is worth looking out at. A port that I always recommend for enjoying cycle tourism. I leave you the profile of both sides produced by the website www.cyclingcols.com --> http://www.cyclingcols.com/col/Laza

It is a typical small village in Iparralde, right next to the main town Sant-Jean-Pied-Port-de-Port. There is nothing special about it, but if you pass by it, you should enjoy it. There is a nice fountain in the centre of the village.

It is a spectacular place, with the mountains, the lake, the trees, the meadows. Whenever I pass by there, it seems to me to be one of the most beautiful hidden places in this area of the Pyrenees. It brings together everything that characterizes the essence of the Irati area. It is a crossroads because the road that comes from Col de Burdinkurutzeta, the road that goes up to Col de Bargagi or Col d'Iraty and the road that comes from Surzai Lepoa converge here, heading towards Artaburu.

Beautiful village which exudes Basque soul with its pediment next to the church. Note, a very cool fountain on one of the town squares which can save your day before facing the port of Larrau or the Bagargi. There is also another small fountain with a tap in the stone wall along the main road.