Burguete-Ochagavía (4th stage)
Auritz/Burguete
The next stage carries on along the EuroVelo 3 route and, after an easy stretch to Roncesvalles, you then face the first climb of the day. The landscape is fully mountainous and with it the nature of the ride. But all the effort is rewarded with breathtaking views, where the forest seems to merge with the horizon.
At kilometre 12, the Orbaizeta Arms Factory, at the gateway to the Irati forest. This is a good moment to take a rest and see the ruins of what was once one of the most important military industrial facilities in the north of the country.
And then it’s time to carry on, riding up a concrete track into the Irati forest, one of the largest and best conserved beech-fir forests in Europe.
After a few kilometres of pure enjoyment riding around the Irabia reservoir, you reach Casas de Irati, another very popular point from which to enter the forest. Now all you have to do is tackle Alto de Tapla by asphalt and descend to the end of this stage: Ochagavía.
