The contraband rout

The majestic collegiate church of Roncesvalles rises in the midst of lush forests to welcome pilgrims to the Auñamendi district, one of the most beautiful parts of the Navarrese Pyrenees. Here begins one of the routes of the Way of St James in Navarre before heading for the picturesque villages of Burguete and Espinal. The area was key in the smuggling of products to and from France, forging around it a clandestine history of expeditions under the cover of night and arduous treks.

The first 8 km of this MTB route follow the EuroVelo 3 route south, leaving the Roman ruins of Zaldua to the left. The route then turns right to coincide with the route of the Roman road over the Pyrenees, an uphill section which involves a certain degree of technical difficulty but one of great beauty.
The second part of the route begins in Espinal, passing through spectacular forests before returning to Roncesvalles, taking in the amazing Tres Hayas viewpoint on the way.