VAE N°19 - Les crêtes d'Issarbe
Description
It must be said that the proposed route requires complete physical preparation or an electric bike equipped with the latest technology. Five passes to get through, 1465 m of total elevation gain in 55 km to complete a high-end loop. Freed from physical limitations and assured of adequate autonomy, the "e-cyclist" can fully enjoy the landscapes crossed by little crowded and popular roads as much as he wants. When turning around a curve, a small herd of three hundred sheep can appear under the uninhibited gaze of some “Blondes d’Aquitaine”. These natural obstacles require caution, but they provide a great sense of freedom and bring the charm and interest of this circuit without any doubt. A short detour through a "cayolar" after the Soudet pass is also an opportunity to bring a piece of "Ossau Iraty" cheese or simply to chat with a shepherd.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Cujala o Cayolar (27 km, 1 à 5 km out of the route)
From the Soudet pass, numerous shepherd's huts are scattered throughout the lapiaz. Occupied throughout the summer and used to the production of sheep's cheese, they are called "cujala" in Béarnaise and "cayolar" in Basque. There you can buy the famous "Ossau Iraty" cheese.
The Lanne en Barétous castle (54,5 km)
The Barétous Valley is the homeland of two famous King's Musketeers, Aramis and Porthos. The latter, whose life was idealized by Alexander Dumas, lived in the castle of Lanne. Athos, meanwhile, was born not far from Oloron Sainte-Marie. Only d'Artagnan did not come from Bearn.
Additional information
Typologie de l'itinéraire
Loop
Equipements
Power Point (supermarket, restaurants)
Water point
Water point
Ablutions
Thèmes
Natural
Data author
