Abaurrea (ABA)
Note: also called: Alto de Remendia (1040m)according to the www.viamichelin.com maps.
Height: 1012 or 1046m
Location: In the NW of the area, W of Ochagavia.
General Comments
Other possible names and heights on this road are Remendial/Jaurrieta, 1040m with its col sign and Alta Garralda, 1000m. From both sides the altitude gain is approx. 400 metres. The main climbing section on the west side is 4 kms at approx 5% and on the east side it is just over 5 kms at approx 5%. An easy Col (2003). Quiet and nice, with pleasant views on the west side.
Road Condition and Hazards
The road surface was perfect on both sides (apart from a short stretch) (2001).
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto de Ansó (ANS)
Height: 1078m
Location: In centre of area, between Anso and Hecho (both pretty but tourist-conscious villages).
General Comments
Modest climbing both sides, pleasantly wooded. ‘Monk and Nun’ rock formation above small tunnel is on lower west side.
Road Condition and Hazards
Road is a bit bumpy but fine (2003). Short unlit tunnel on west side.
Facilities
No facilities between Ansó and Hecho.
Arangoiti (ARG)
Height: 1356m
Location: Peak just east of Lumbier, but accessed from Biguezal, to the north. Some maps indicate road to summit in Sierra Leyre, with radio mast and panorama.
General Comments
Apparently a haunt for griffon vultures. A big climb, for this vicinity. No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Road Condition and Hazards
Surface unconfirmed
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto las Coronas (COR)
Height: 951m
Location: Mid way between Jaca and Pamplona, usefully avoiding N240 to the south. Runs between Navascues and Burgui.
General Comments
Road extensively widened in 1998. Never steep. Good views.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
San Cristobal (CRI)
Height: 895m
Location: North of Pamplona
General Comments
Dead end climb to fortified peak, climbing north out of Pamplona. View over town seems assured, but No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Alto de Egozcue (EGO)
Height: 894m
Location: NNW of Pamplona
General Comments
Useful E-W link. Little climbing involved.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Alto Erro (Pto. Erro) (ERR)
Height: 801m
Location: 801m. NE of Pamplona.
General Comments
Pleasant but unexciting, and very easy. Wooded summit.
Road Condition and Hazards
Well surfaced (1998, 2003)). Not much traffic in spite of being a main road (2003).
Facilities
Bar(s) and hostal(s) in both Zubiri and Erro. Nothing at the summit.
Santa Eulalia (EUL)
Height: 1140m
Location: SE of Jaca
General Comments
Links tops of Puerto de Oroel, 1070m and Alto Navasa, 1070m, via contour road reaching up to 1180m. Viewpoint/parking area west of pass. No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Fuerte Rapitan (FUE)
Height: 1100m.
Location: North of Jaca
General Comments
Climbs north, straight from the streets of Jaca to peak overlooking the town, via thirteen tightly stacked hairpins. No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto Iso (ISO)
Height: 670m
Location: ENE of Lumbier, in south of the region on a useful link into the mountains.
General Comments
Very quiet in 1998 with scenic interest both ways (mountain views descending east, wide plains descending west). Belvedere on the short east side overlooks impressive gorge (Hoz de Arbayun) - the best place to see griffon vultures in the Pyrenees.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Izagaondoa (IZA)
Height: 600m
Location: SE of Pamplona.
General Comments
A very quiet road, between Artaiz and Lumbier, north of and parallel to Puerto Loiti, 728m. The unnamed pass is at the hamlet of Iriso, and barely noticeable when crossing. The approach from Lumbier undulates somewhat. The western side climbs imperceptibly. Rolling fields, tiny villages with Romanesque churches, and view of nearby Izaga mountain (1352m).
San Miguel pass, a.780m. Path or track 10 km WSW of Pamplona links road systems between Lerruz and Laquidain. Steep from north.
Road Condition and Hazards
Smooth and wide road (1998).
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Jasa (JAS)
Height: 1235m. According to a detailed map this pass is officially called Puerto de Puyarrón at 1237m.
Location: NW of Jaca, on minor roads between villages of Jasa (944m) and Aisa (1046m)
General Comments
A very quiet road between Hecho and Jaca but the real pass is in between Jasa and Aísa. It passes through a sparsely populated and arid region. There are some stunning views on the high mountains on the Aísa side. Both sides are not really steep except for a short section just below the village Jasa.
Road Condition and Hazards
Mainly well surfaced. In Jasa there is a short cobblestone section and just below the summit on the west side there are two short gravel sections of 50-100 metres each. Apperently road works are going on there (2003).
Facilities
Hecho and Jaca have all kinds of facilities, but in the 48 kms in between the only facilities are a bar in Jasa and a bar/restaurant in Aísa.
Alto Laza (LAZ)
Height: 1129m
Location: In NW of area.
General Comments
A very quiet, useful and easy route in from the Basque country, affording good first views of the higher Pyrenees from the summit. West side is mostly wooded. Going south from the summit:
A useful looking high track over the Sierra de Uztarroz is marked scenic by Michelin, linking to Vidangoz village in the south. Height unknown - possibly a pass is on the route?
Road Condition and Hazards
Well-surfaced route (1998).
Facilities
Authorised camping above Ustarroz on east side. No cafes.
Puerto Liedena (LDN)
Height: 553m
Location: Very small climb on N240, just west of huge Yesa reservoir.
General Comments
Unconfirmed NW approach via Hoz de Lumbier gorge looks interesting (tunnel on map).
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto Loiti (LOI)
Height: 728m
Location: On N240 main road, 25 km SE of Pamplona.
General Comments
Reported amazingly quiet (in 1987) and quiet Sunday morning (September 1998). Climb from Lumbier is the steeper, being very shallow from the west. Roman remains nearby. Open, dry landscape with distant mountain views.
Road Condition and Hazards
Super-smooth road with good hard shoulder.
Facilities
In 1987 camping near summit was possible at picnic area with well/pump.
Alto Mezkiritz (Pto. de Auritzberri) (MEZ)
Height: 922m
Location: 30 km NE of Pamplona in farming area, SW of Burguete.
General Comments
(Famous visitor - Ernest Hemingway, who wrote of area). Would be a very gradual long climb from a.500m if approached by either of two valleys from the south (forming circuit) - but an unlikely route option. Usually used by members as no more than a section of the climb from Erro to Puerto Ibaneta, 1057m or vice versa.
Road Condition and Hazards
Well surfaced busy road (2003).
Facilities
Auritzberri-Espinal on the east side has a large camping site with a bar/restaurant and a small grocery shop. The village itself has several bars.
Pau (PAU)
See RoughStuff page 5.
Sanctuario Muskilda (MSL)
Height: 1070m
Location: Just north of Ochagavia, 756m.
General Comments
Short climb from the historic village accesses sanctuary and viewpoint - a peak? No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto Olaz (OLA)
Height: 706m
Location: South of Lumbier, just SE of Puerto Loiti,728m.
General Comments
Very barren scenery.
Road Condition and Hazards
Reported quiet and well surfaced in 1987.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto de Oroel (ORO)
Height: 1080m
Location: South of Jaca.
General Comments
Shallow on both sides. Famous San Juan de la Pena monastery is nearby. No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puyeta (PUY)
Height: 1100m
Location: Between Roncal and picturesque Anso.
General Comments
Small and quiet pass. From the west, a long valley suddenly rears up at three-quarters distance. East side quite steep. Recent maps indicate third southern approach from N240 (unconfirmed) leading up Barranco de Fago to a final steep section with tunnel.
Road Condition and Hazards
Surface between Garde and Anso quite rough in 1998. See above for unconfirmed new route with tunnel.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto de Santa Barbara (SBA)
Height: 864m
Location: WSW of Jaca.
General Comments
An easy-looking main road traverse heading south from the Pyrenees. No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto Sierra Mayor (SIE)
Height: 902m
Location: 35km SW of Jaca, edging Zaragoza plains to south.
General Comments
Looks easy. No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto de/Col du Somport (SOM)
Height: 1632m
Location: Major border crossing on main road from Jaca (Spain) to Oloron (France).
General Comments
French side starts in the beautiful Gave d’Aspe - a long, well-graded climb - not too busy in June/July. Cliff fortress below Urdos, and good mountain vista higher up. Development mars the pass itself. Site of Saracen invasion and Roman road. The shallower Spanish side starts in Jaca - an interesting town. Frontier railway station above Canfranc ‘worthy of visit’. Candanchu is now by-passed.
Rough routes to W and NW of the summit are detailed in the roughstuff guide page 5 and those to the E and NE on the same page. Puerto de Escale d’Aigue Torte, 1635m, 1665m or 1675m links Forge d’Abel with Hecho via amazing high stream valley of ‘twisted water’ (Aigue-Torte) in the upper part of the Rio Aragon Subordan . See RS page 5.
Road Condition and Hazards
Excellent surfaces throughout (1998). Open by late April and probably earlier. A major (and fiercely contested) tunnel project may be complete by 2002. Expect increase in heavy vehicle traffic below 1100m, and above this, a much quieter road over the pass.
Facilities
Numerous refreshment stops. Plenty of hotels in Jaca.
Puerto de Sos (SOS)
Height: 856m
Location: South of Sos del Rey.
General Comments
Small climb leads out of Pyrenees. No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Sotericas (SOT)
Height: 948m/1088m
Location: In SW of area, east of Sos.
General Comments
Minor road. Higher summit is a cul de sac to TV mast.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Paso Tapia (TAP)
Height: 1340m
Location: In Spain, north of Ochagavia.
General Comments
Moderate in length and easily graded on both sides. No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members. Descending north, tarmac ends at tiny Iraty (825m). A track then leads west before regaining Spanish roads, or:
Potentially useful forest track or path continues north, and probably crosses into France, through the beech wood Foret d’Iraty. Seemingly quite level, before rejoining tarmac at a.900m en route to junction between Col Bagargui and Col de Burdincurutcheta. Unstaffed chalet en route. No reports, but the roughstuff guide, page 4, includes a map of this
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Vidangoz-Guesa (VID)
Height: a.700m?
Location: SSE of Ochagavia, in centre of area.
General Comments
No pass sign between the two villages of Vidangoz and Guesa. In 1998, reported as ‘a delightfully rocky minor pass’, as alternative to Puerto Las Coronas, 951m.
Road Condition and Hazards
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Facilities
No reports by Cycloclimbing OCD members.
Puerto Zuriza (ZUR)
Height: 1290m. According to a 1:25.000 map this col is officially called Puerto de Argibiela at 1283m
Location: Between Isaba and Anso, off southern side of Coll de Piedra St. Martin.
General Comments
Both sides are narrow with spectacular wild views. The west side flattens half way up in a superb high meadowed valley (butterflies). The east side has a spectacular limestone gorge and views of dramatic Pena Ezcaurre mountain (2047m). One member found it steep, another didn’t! Zuriza itself is a group of chalets in high meadow. Thoroughly recommended pass - just take your time.
Road Condition and Hazards
Very quiet and well surfaced throughout in 1998. Well surfaced on the west side but the east side has lots of potholes and bomb craters (2003).
Facilities
Campings in both Isaba and Zuriza. Though Zuriza is very tiny it also has a hostal, restaurant and small grocery store. However, there is nothing in between Isaba and Zuriza.