ESW

We are planning a day trip in May from Lerate (SW of Pamploma) to Orreaga/Roncesvalle and back. I'm intending to do this as a circular, using N135 and NA172 (Aoiz and cutting cross country through Tiebes, to avoid Pamploma). Scenically does it make any difference whether I do this clockwise or anticlockwise?

Robert2533

The drive up to Ronchesvlles doesn't take that long, less than 1-1/2 hours from Lerate. If you leave by mid-morning, around 08:30, I would take the drive up through the Roncal valley (NA-137), crossing over at Isaba-Izaba (NA-140). Another option would be to take the road up through the Salazar Valley and the Iratti Forest before heading over to Roncesvelles. Both drives are beautiful.

For a late lunch you might want to consider reserving a table at restaurante Kuko (www.kukohotel.com) in the little village, if you can call it that, of Zozaia, which would take you back to Pamplona on the 121A. Of course there are a dozen other great places to eat, but Kuko is one of the best in that area.

Robert2533

If you need any other help in Navarra, let me know.

ESW

Thank you for your reply. I had looked at the other two routes you'd suggested but then discounted as I was wanting to cut down on driving times and distances. I've been using ViaMichelin for working out times and they do seem to be very slow. It shows the route along NA137 to Isaba as taking 3hr 38min! Taking the salazar valley route is 2hr 43min according to ViaMichelin.

Google times are less but I was working on the ViaMichelin times to give me plenty of slack and for us to take our time.

We were also wanting to spend a bit of time pottering round the villages in the Valle de Aezkoa and go and look for the ruins of Royal Weapons and Ammunition Factory at Fabrica de Orbaitzeta. If time allowed I'd also thought of continuing up beyond Ronccesvalles to the border for the views.

Robert2533

It can take a while to drive through either valley, but they are very scenic and worth the time, but it you are going to be in Navarra for some time, you may want to set aside a couple of days to explore them on their own. We can easily spend a day exploring each, which we've done several times.

It will be chilly in May, but it's only a couple of minutes from Ronchesvlles to the top of the pass, where you'll find where Roland met his fate in 778.

The Irati forest is in the Aezkoa Valley, and well worth the time to visit. I love the area in the fall. The Fabrica de Orbaitzeta, as you mention, is an interesting ruins, located in the Irate forest.

Take a look at www.turismo.navarra.es for the most complete information on Navarra.

ESW

Thanks for your reply. We've only got 4 days in the area. This is our first visit to Spain and is very much a 'taster' visit and I am having to be ruthless in cutting things out. The more I read the more I realise how much there is to do and see and I've a feeling 2014 will be our year to begin to explore Spain in depth.

Robert2533

If this is your first trip to Navarra, and Spain, what made you pick Lerate instead of being in Pamplona, which is a very viibrant city? I love the area, but the village of Lerate is very small, maybe 30 inhabitants, known more for camping than anything else.

There are several excellent places located a little closer to Pamplona if your are interested and are able to change your reservations.

ESW

We dislike large cities and the prospect of map reading our way round Pamplona didn't appeal. We also wanted to book accommodation alog with the ferry through Brittany ferries and there wasn't lot of choice in this area.

We are only using the place to sleep and weather permitting tend to be out from 8.30 until 6-7pm so this doesn't bother us. We aren't wanting night life or to eat out. We also find that smaller places often deliver what we want in a way larger towns don't.

Robert2533

If you're planning on having lunch while out and about, remember that it is usually served from 1:30-4:00, but we generally never dine before 2:30, and if you happen to arrive somewhere around 3:30, you shouldn't have problem. Pintxos are normally available beginng around 10:30 in the morning and again in the eveing beginning around 7:30. You'll find food in Navarra to be a very important part of the lifestyle.

Pamplona does have a nightlight and there is always something going on over the weekend, but aside from a few dance clubs, most people in Pamplona go out in the evenings to socialize with their friends and not to party. It can be very quiet in the old quarter by 11:00.

You can check out www.pamplona.net to see what's happening while your are there.

Enjoy your holiday! Zorionak eta urte berri on!

ESW

We are very boring and lunch is usually fresh bread and a banana eaten somewhere with a view.

Zorionak eta urte berri on! Eta zuk ere. (Isn't google translate marvellous!)

Robert2533

It works, but has its limits.