Sierras and valleys

In Alsasua, between the imposing massifs of Aralar and Urbasa-Andia, begins a route which crosses the latter, tackling two mountain passes that are mythical for cycling in Navarre: Lizarraga and Urbasa.

The first part runs along the bottom of the Sakana valley on an ideal road for cycling, bringing together beauty, safety and a well-kept surface. Turn right in Etxarri Aranatz to climb to the Lizarraga pass, a 9-km stretch with spectacular views and an average slope of just over 5%. Descend through the Sierra de Andia, switching as you go from an Atlantic to a Mediterranean landscape. Just after passing through Abárzuza, you head down a concrete track towards Eraul, where you can enjoy extraordinary views of the surrounding environment and see a holm oak declared a natural monument. Now it’s time to descend to the Urederra valley and then, once down, the way back via the Urbasa pass is shorter and simpler than Lizarraga. After crossing the spectacular plateau of the Sierra de Urbasa, there’s a vertiginous descent before you get back to Alsasua.