Difficulty: Hard, not recommended in winter – crampons required in the descent/ascent to Zuriza
(0h0min; 0kms) Isaba (790m). On the NA-137 road that crosses Isaba, walk down a cobbled street on the right, at the end of a kind of park/viewing platform with benches and a phone booth. The Pyrenees trail leaves the last houses behind and drops down towards Belabarze ravine before coming to a track coming from Isaba. The landscape is overshadowed by the rocky outcrop of Ezkaurre Txikia. Keep walking ahead along the track.
(0h35min; 2.4kms) Ateas de Belabarze Pass (860m). The track divides, as does the GR. One option is straight ahead through Ateas pass via Belabarze Valley. To the right, as we are about to explain, you have the variant GR11.4 which climbs to Ezkaurre. The GR11.4 continues through Berroeta ravine until it emerges from it and takes on, to the south, the steep slopes of Mendikosanz. Once you reach the top, in open terrain, follow the ridge and to the north skirt round Itoleta or Punta del Trozo (1769m) and leave Alto Solano de Ezkaurre (1712m) on your left before reaching...
(3h20min; 11.2kms) Ezkaurre Lake (1.675m), below the rocky outcrop. You reach the summit ridge by following the narrow channel between scree and boulders. At the top, keep right (east) and reach the nearby summit of...
(4h25min; 12.6kms) Ezkaurre (2.050m). The GR11 drops down towards Abizondo col (1641m), via the north face (difficult in wintry conditions, crampons required). Beyond the col, the path enters the beech forest – the steep slopes give you no respite – and you will soon reach...
(5h45min; 16.1kms) Argibiela col or Navarros Pass (1.290m), where you will meet the road that joins Isaba and Zuriza, as well as the GR11 (por Belabare). You are leaving Navarra and entering Aragón. A gentle downhill walk with your eyes on the road leads you effortlessly to the end of your stage at...
(6h05min; 17,7 kms) Zuriza Campsite (1.220m).
In Isaba there is a choice of accommodation. We recommend SNO Isaba (+34 948 37 00 77; reservas@snoisaba.com) and for groups Albergue Oxanea (+34 948 893 153 / 609 447 726; info@albergueoxanea.com;), (5-9 rooms, restaurant and kitchen).
In Zuriza there is the Zuriza Campsite-Auberge (/). Below the campsite there is an open shelter (2 floors, reasonable condition).
Other services:In Isaba you will find a supermarket, an ATM machine and several bars and restaurants.
Zuriza Campsite has a bar-restaurant as well as a store.
Maps:
- Alpina:
Valles de Belagua y Roncal
(Scale: 1/25.000).
- SUA edizioak:
Belagua y Zuriza
(Scale: 1/25.000).
There are buses running from Pamplona to Isaba, with La Tafallesa () bus company.
To get to Zuriza from Ansó you can get a taxi, based centrally in Jaca ().
To get to Ansó, there are buses from Jaca, via Hecho and Siresa ().