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The road is relatively quiet and slopes gently downhill.

The climb to the Port de Larrau is more arduous on the French side. It covers fifteen kilometers at an average gradient of 8%. The most difficult section is located in the middle of the route. Also be careful of the very steep final kilometer.

Up to kilometer 12, the climb is gentle. From there, it becomes more difficult, and you'll face some slopes with a 10% gradient. The total climb is 26 kilometers, and the total ascent is 1,048 meters. During the climb, you'll find good road surfaces and beautiful scenery.

Without a doubt, the Col de la Piedra de Saint Martin or Pierre Saint-Martin is one of the Top 10 in the whole of the Pyrenees. Without exceeding 2000 metres of altitude, it is a very long pass, with a lot of accumulated gradient (due to the innumerable French slopes, the gradient is 1,450 metres), with very hard slopes and several kilometres above 10%, with wonderful landscapes and panoramic views and with little traffic, except for the slopes crossed by the main road (D132 in France, the NA 137 in Spain). It is a pass with many slopes; in Europe there are few other passes that have as many slopes as this one (col de Turini, Passo delle Erbe, would be comparable in number of slopes approximately). I have only climbed it by 2 slopes: (i) my first time was from Lourdios Ichère, crossing the col de Labays and the col de Soudet. Simply spectacular; (ii) I have subsequently climbed the Spanish side on several occasions, which is unique, and which starts from Belagua and crosses the Belagua cross-country ski resort to reach the mountain pass. It is also very beautiful, with a landscape and views different from the north-east side. If I had to choose one of the two, I liked the north-west side better because it is more remote, harder and in my opinion more authentic. It is also a culturally special mountain pass because the Tribute of the 3 cows takes place on its summit every 13th of July, which is considered the oldest treaty in force in Europe. So... you know... you cannot miss the opportunity to come here and enjoy this wonderful jewel of the Pyrenees!!!!

Isaba, also known as Izaba in Basque, is a picturesque village located in the Roncal Valley in the Navarrese Pyrenees, northern Spain. This charming village is known for its rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, when it was a strategic outpost for the Kingdom of Navarre. Isaba offers breathtaking scenery with lush green meadows in spring, colorful autumn leaves and snow-capped mountains in winter.

I would not recommend right now. They recently did a chip and seal so a LOT of loose gravel. I live in the area and even the road to Osse en Aspe.

Going up to the Puerto de la Piedra de San Martín through the Roncal - Belagua valley, after the first 5 km of hard climb with a section of continuous hairpin bends, you reach the abandoned Guardia Civil barracks. This place is ideal for the views it offers: on the one hand, you can see the Roncal valley from above in a panoramic view (simply spectacular); on the other hand, looking up towards the valley, you can see (if the weather permits) the peaks around the beautiful ski resort of Larra - Belagua, which should not be confused with the Piedra de San Martín ski resort, located in France.

At the bottom of the Roncal valley, right where the climb to Puerto de la Piedra de San Martín begins, you will find this beautiful bend in the mountain called Belagua. It is an idyllic place that you can best enjoy if you climb up following the road to Venta de Juan Pito.