The path leaves the most Atlantic part of the Pyrenees to enter the Quinto Real mountains where beech forests reign supreme.

📌 (0h0min; 0 kms) Elizondo (190m). On the road that crosses Elizondo, at the height of the church of Santiago, you will see the red and white GR 11 markings. We set off along the asphalted track and then, next to a GR11 information panel, take a path to the right. This will not be the last time we see the track, as we will soon come across it again next to the Zaldarriaga boardwalk, in a flat area. Shortly afterwards the markings send us along a path to the right, the route has been changed to avoid the track.

📌 (0h50min; 2,6 kms) Borda de Jaimesaltsu (360m). Next to Jaimesaltsu's borda we come across the track again. We ignore it and continue to the right along a path, further on the track crosses it and shortly afterwards we find a fountain with a basin. We continue, and once again another fountain appears, we pass an area where there is usually mud and face a steep slope before meeting the track again at a sharp bend. Cross it and continue along the path (a modified section, as before it was along the track), and after a few metres you will see a fountain on the left (Tranpako Iturria). Continue through the beech forest in search of the...

📌 (2h20min; 7,4 kms) pass of Urbillo (890m). Hunters' refuge (closed), fountain, tables and campfire. Here we have two options: follow the GR11 or climb Peña de Alba (not signposted) and then join up at muga 128, near the Argibel cromlech (shorter, steeper slope). If we opt for the second option, shortly after the pass we will climb along paths looking for the best area to pass through. To descend we follow the ridge that breaks off to the SE, walking along the highest area, accompanied by spectacular scenery. If we follow the GR, at the Urbillo pass, we leave the track and continue along the path under the north face of Pico de Alba. After this comes an area of rasos crossed by some streams. We are in the pass of Argibel, a fence marks the border, we follow it in a southerly direction, next to it we can see the cromlech of Argibel. Continue alongside the fence, passing through a succession of dovecotes and an area of beech trees, you will reach a pass where a track from Baztán arrives. There is a large pond (of the frogs), a stream and a hut.

📌 (3h35min; 11,6 kms) Borda de Kinto (960m). It is a hunting lodge (closed). It has a fountain and table. The path continues to climb, crosses a beech forest and comes out into a clear area that can be confusing on foggy days. Cross the wire fence at a first pass and continue halfway up the slope below Iparraldeko Kaskoa, with numerous pigeon coops until you reach the...

📌 (4h20min; 14,3 kms) Col of Buztamorro (1168m). At this point it joins the GR 12, and from now on they will coincide until the...

📌 (4h40min; 15,6 kms) pass of Zagua (1164m). Attention to this place, the GR 12 continues along the ridge, but we turn sharply to the left (north) and begin the descent towards the Urkiaga pass. Before entering the beech forest, we will pass next to a boardwalk and almost at the end, just before reaching the Urkiaga pass, we join the GR 12 again.

📌 (5h20min; 17,9 kms) Urkiaga Pass (912m). Several bunkers in the vicinity.