Aoiz-Burguete (3rd stage-four days)

A large part of the route now follows that of EuroVelo 3, travelling on newly laid gravel tracks, where, despite some slopes, pedalling is made easier.

As you get further north, the landscape becomes mountainous and oak and beech forests replace the pine trees. Near the village of Nagore, cross the Itoiz reservoir over the dam across its tail. You then skirt the reservoir along one of its shores for a few kilometres until you reach the Arce palace, designed to house a range of services in the future.

This is where the most demanding part of the day starts because, although you are still on the EuroVelo 3 route, it now runs along the side of the Arce valley and there is considerable elevation gain.

You leave EuroVelo 3 at the small village of Lusarreta and head left to Erro, taking mainly minor roads. Shortly after Bizkarreta-Gerendiain, you leave the N-135, which you have ridden on from Erro, and take the minor road to Sorogain. A few kilometres further on and you take a track to Espinal, and from there it’s back to asphalt all the way to Burguete.