The best cycling routes around Oroz-Betelu

It's the first road sign indicating the distance to Santiago. It's worth a photo.

Aurizberri, also known as Espinal, is a charming village in the region of Navarra. It is located in the municipality of Erro, in the picturesque Merindad de Sangüesa, and is part of the Auñamendi region. This village was founded in 1269 by Theobald II and is strategically located between the historic towns of Roncesvalles and Gerendiain. Aurizberri/Espinal is a popular stop for pilgrims following the Camino de Santiago, thanks to its location on the famous pilgrimage route that runs through the Pyrenees. The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside known for its rich flora and fauna, including trout and a variety of mushrooms, which play an important role in the local gastronomy.

Roncesvalles, also known as Orreaga in Basque, is a small town in the region of Navarra, northern Spain. It is best known for the legendary Battle of Roncesvalles in 778, where Charlemagne's rearguard was defeated. This historical and spiritual site is also an important starting point for the Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage route to the tomb of Saint James in Galicia. In Roncesvalles you can admire the impressive Gothic collegiate church of Santa María de Roncesvalles, where the image of the Virgin of Orreaga is venerated. Other places of interest include the Church of Santiago, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit and the Museum-Treasury, where you can see relics, paintings and sculptures from different periods.

The Ibañeta Pass, also known as the Roncesvalles Pass, is a scenic mountain pass in the Pyrenees, near the border between France and Spain. At an altitude of 1,057 metres, it offers breathtaking views and a rich historical background. The pass is best known for the Battle of Roncevaux in 778, a legendary event sung about in the epic poem “The Song of Roland”. A menhir marks the traditional site of this battle, emphasising the historical significance of the location.

The monastery complex is an impressive building and worth a visit. There are also two cafés, a hotel and the pilgrims' hostel.

After a long climb, you finally make it to the Ibeneta Pass and can enjoy the view as a reward. Up here, there is a small chapel and a memorial stone to the knight Roland, who is said to have fallen here.

Col Burriegeta, also known as Puerto de Ibañeta, is a historic mountain pass in the Pyrenees, located between France and Spain. The pass is best known for its role in the Camino de Santiago, where pilgrims cross the border on their way to Santiago de Compostela1. The pass offers breathtaking views and is home to the modern chapel of San Salvador, which replaced an older chapel, and a monument to Roland, which commemorates the Battle of Roncesvalles in 778. Col Burriegeta is an important passage for both pilgrims and cyclists, who enjoy the challenging climb and the beautiful surroundings.

Auritz/Burguete is a charming village in the province of Navarra, northern Spain, known for its beautiful Pyrenean architecture and rich history. The village is located on the Camino de Santiago, just after Roncesvalles, and is known for its characteristic houses with steep roofs designed to prevent snow accumulation. Auritz/Burguete has suffered several fires over the centuries, so many of the current buildings are reconstructions from the 18th and 19th centuries. The famous writer Ernest Hemingway stayed here in the 1920s and described the village in his novel "The Sun Also Rises". The village offers a peaceful setting with beautiful forests and is an ideal place for nature lovers and pilgrims.