La Ibañeta (Arnegui)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Arnegui	1,057m	812m	17.9 km	4.5%	314	**

Climb Description

Ibañeta is a fairly busy climb in the Navarra region of Spain. This is a very popular area with hikers, as it is the beginning of the French Route of the Camino de Santiago long distance path.

Fortunately for hikers, they can largely follow an off-road route from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. However, on a road bike the Ibañeta is somewhat spoilt by the amount of traffic, including some heavy goods vehicles. The scenery is largely in forest and is certainly not spectacular enough to make up for the problems caused by the cars. There are much more enjoyable climbs in the area - and we would recommend giving this one a miss.

If you do choose to brave the Ibañeta, it is well worth turning left at the top of the climb and continuing the ascent to the Alto de Ortzanzurieta. This is a steep climb with a poor road surface in places, but you can cycle up to 1560m and this stretch carries very little traffic.

Ibañeta is open throughout the year.

Roads & Traffic

There is a considerable volume of traffic on the climb in the summer. It is one of the main passes between France and Spain in this part of The Pyrenees and, although it is not terrible for cycling, there are more enjoyable climbs nearby.

Alternative Routes

La Ibañeta can also be climbed in a very short ascent from the south - beginning in Burguete.

Nearby Climbs

Artesiaga

Port de Larrau

Pierre St Martin

Col de Bagargi

Ahuski

Cycling Holidays

We currently don't have any cycling holidays in this part of the Spanish Pyrenees. However, if you would like to customize an itinerary in the region, please contact us and we would happy to organize a trip for you.

You may also be interested in some of the tours below, which we currently run in high mountains.