We set off on a route through the Navarre Pyrenees to climb one of its most emblematic peaks, Lakartxela (1,982m), also known as Kartxela, Kartxila, La Kartxela, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lakartxela is one of the most important peaks overlooking the Belagua valley and the highest along the main axis of the Pyrenean chain, between Orhi and Arlas. Together with Lakartxela, Keleta, with an elegant shape and a more advanced position towards the Belagua valley, is one of the most recognisable peaks. Curiously, for this reason, it is often confused with Lakartxela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The route described below ascends Lakartxela from Arrako, at the bottom of the valley. The most honest way of tackling a mountain. However, we will not only climb the main summit of the area, but also the other peaks that make up this beautiful corner of the Navarrese Pyrenees: Larrondo (1,703m), Keleta (1,906m), Ezkieta (1,906m) and Bimbaleta (1,758m).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the small Arrako car park, well known for the nearby Arrako dolmen, the route climbs following the E3 link between the GR321 (Camino Real) and GR321.1 (Camino de los Contrabandistas) paths, to continue to the Lapatia pass. From here, in a round trip, the first peak of the day, the Larrondo peak, is reached. The route continues along the hill to Keleta and then, along a narrow, aesthetically pleasing and avoidable ridge, Ezkieta and Lakartxela. On the descent towards the Arrakogoiti pass, we will take the opportunity to add the Bimbalet peak to our collection. The descent from the Arrakogoiti pass follows the GR321 to the starting point of this excursion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n