The bear route

The area between the Roncal and Ansó (Huesca) valleys is where bears live in this part of the Pyrenees, hence the name given to a route that passes through what are, some say, among the “most beautiful villages in Spain”, such as Ochagavía and Roncal.

The route starts in Isaba and crosses the Belabarce pass to reach Ansó. The return journey to the Roncal valley crosses the Matamachos pass, where a time trial is held every year on the Garde side. After this village, head south. Before reaching Burgui, turn right towards Vidángoz, where Alto de Igal begins. It’s a short, easy climb that connects the Roncal valley with the Salazar valley in order to pass through a number of the villages in the latter, such as Ezcároz or Ochagavía, the most populated village in the valley.

The route then climbs the last mountain pass of the day and the easiest of them all, Laza, which takes you back to Isaba.