Stage 4: Urkiaga Pass - Burguete/Auritz

GR11 / Stage 4: Urkiaga Pass - Burguete/Auritz

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↔️ Distance: 17.5 km
📈 Unevenness: (+720 m), (-735 m) 📉
🕒 Time: 5h05min (walking time non-stop).
⚠️ Difficulty: medium-low. The stage is not very long and in general the paths are comfortable for walking. The signposting is good and except in foggy weather on the ascent from Sorogain to Mendiaundi, there will be no problem following the stage markings.

If we look at the profile of the stage we can divide it into two sections. The first would run through beech forests. It would start at the Urkiaga pass, skirt the peak of Adi and descend through the Odia ravine to Sorogain. The second runs through pastureland, climbs up to the summit of Mendiaundi and descends almost entirely along a track to Burguete.

📌 (0h0min; 0 kms) Urkiaga pass (912m). At the Urkiaga pass we take the track that starts off heading east, although we soon leave it to take a shortcut. There is a succession of bunkers on the ascent and we reach the Adipe pass (1185m), in an area of pine forest under the Adi massif. Cross the wire fence and continue horizontally up the northern slope of Adi. Those who are more inclined can climb to the summit and then descend to the Aratún pass (1210m), just follow the wire fence. At the Aratún pass the GR 11 and GR 12 separate again, the GR 12 continues along the ridge, we turn south and start a steep descent through the Odia ravine, covered by a spectacular beech forest. The slope relaxes and little by little some clearings open up, we walk next to a river and so we reach a small road. We walk parallel to it and parallel to the river, now on clear terrain. We are in...

📌 (2h10min; 7,4 kms) Sorogain (830m). The Sorogain hostel is open almost all year round and has a cafeteria service. From now on the path becomes harder, the terrain is clear and the markings are less visible. After about 25 minutes you come out onto a track (8.7kms; 1070m), which you follow for about a kilometre before leaving it at a bend and continuing alongside a wire fence. Suddenly the fence turns to the left, heading north, follow it and you are almost at the top of the...

📌 (3h30min; 10,7 kms) Mendiaundi (1.210m), crowned by a mailbox. The threat of a quarry for the extraction of silica threatens to destroy this place, we will see what happens. We follow the wire fence downhill in search of a track that reaches the pass of the two bridges. From here the descent to Burguete becomes long, the path will improve until it becomes a wide track, it enters the Xuringoa ravine and at the end it shares the route with the Camino de Santiago.

📌 (5h05min; 17,5 kms) Burguete/Auritz (890m).

  • Beech forest near the Urkiaga Pass
  • Col of Adipe
  • Odia ravine. Spectacular forest on the descent of the Aratún pass.
  • The Adi seen from the descent to Sorogain
  • Hostel in Sorogain
  • Aldaparri Valley, shortly before reaching Mendiaundi

At the beginning of the stage, in the Port of UrkiagaThere is no accommodation. The best option to sleep indoors is to go to Eugi (12 km). See accommodation.

During the stage: Sorogain Hostel.

At the end of the stage, in Burguetewe recommend Rural house Pedroarena (Tel: 848992525 / 948 13 08 89 / 619 444 207 / 680 879 679; ruralpili@gmail.com). Breakfast is offered, possibility to wash clothes by hand or machine.

Until port of Urkiaga buses do not arrive, the most feasible option is to arrive by bus to Eugui and from there take a Taxi. Some hostels in Eugui coordinate transport for mountaineers from the port (see accommodation). Both the connection Eugui-Pamplona as the Burguete-Pamplona is operated by the company Artieda Coaches  (+34 948300287; autocaresartieda@autocaresartieda.com)

- SUA edizioak: Orreaga (Scale: 1/25.000).

Quick guide
GR 11

with everything you need to know before undertaking the Pyrenean Path