In the Heart of History: Bordeless Valleys
A journey through time
Before you dive in :
Type of itinerary
car
370 kilometers
of adventure
5 days / stages
of happiness
Season
March – December
Overview
Immerse yourself in the history of the Kings and Queens of Navarre with this cross-border itinerary. Stretching from Navarre to the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, this 5-day journey retraces the region’s tumultuous past. Over the centuries, this border has been the backdrop for intense periods of exile and conquest, trade, wars of religion, and dynastic conflicts.
This journey invites you to explore the region’s unique heritage. Travel from castles to cathedrals, and museums to traditional workshops, while discovering the breathtaking landscapes of this corner of the Pyrenees. You will cross the Roncal, Salazar, and Aezkoa valleys, pass through the Iraty forest, and enjoy unforgettable panoramic views. Along the way, you will also discover a remarkable food and wine heritage, featuring local wines, cheeses, Basque chestnuts, and cider.
Stage descriptions:
Freedom above all : this itinerary can be fully customized, giving you the flexibility to select specific stages.
Day by day
Day One
This day is dedicated to exploring the historic city of Pau. Whether on foot or by e-bike, you can wander the city streets and discover its castle and neighboring vineyards.
Day Two
The road trip starts today! You will hit the road toward Sainte-Engrâce. With several options along the way—including the Holzarte footbridge, a visit to Oloron-Sainte-Marie, or the Julian Gayarre house-museum in the village of Roncal—there is something for everyone!
Day Three
This day begins by crossing the French-Spanish border at Saint-Pierre-de-Saint-Martin, before continuing on the Spanish side in Mata de Haya. Once again, a variety of experiences await you, from cheese tastings to sightseeing, including a visit to the reconstructed medieval village of Burgui.
Day Four
A day as varied as you wish, set against the backdrop of the Aezkoa Valley as it gives way to the Iraty Forest. Options include hiking the Arlekia-Laurzaran trail (9 km), visiting local hermitages, or discovering the hidden history of the bunkers nestled among the beech forests, dating back to the Spanish Civil War.
Day Five
Your final day on the road! You can visit the town of Mauléon-Licharre, famous for its traditional espadrille workshops. The day continues with your choice of castles or thermal baths, depending on what you feel like doing!
Highlights
1
Pau Castle
Information
Pau Castle, a medieval fortress turned Renaissance palace, overlooks the Gave river and the Pyrenees. Famous as the birthplace of King Henry IV, it now houses a major national museum.
Photo : © Pau Pyrénées Tourisme
2
Holzarte Footbridge
Information
Suspended 150 meters above deep, wooded gorges, this wooden and steel footbridge is located in the Soule region (Zuberoa). It offers thrilling heights and spectacular views near Larrau, in the French Pyrenees.
Photo : © Pierre-Alex
3
La Verna Cave Chamber in Sainte-Engrâce
Information
4
Visit to Oloron-Sainte-Marie
Information
Oloron-Sainte-Marie charms visitors with its Romanesque cathedral—a UNESCO World Heritage site—its historic quarters straddling the Aspe and Ossau rivers, and its scenic viewpoints overlooking the Pyrenees. It is also famous for its local delicacies, traditional Béarn berets, and chocolates.
Photo : © AFCC JJ Gelbart
5
Visit to Ochagavía and Casa Koleto
Information
Ochagavía is a textbook example of Pyrenean architecture, featuring stone houses and steep slate roofs. Its medieval bridge spanning the river, its Renaissance church, and the nearby Muskilda hermitage make it a place of outstanding beauty.
6
Iraty Forest
Information
The Iraty Forest dazzles with its vast beech and fir canopy—one of the largest in Europe—vibrant autumn colors, crystal-clear rivers, and wild fauna. In Basque mythology, it is deeply connected to the Basajaun, the Lord of the Forest, who guards its ancestral secrets.
Photo : © Oriol Conesa
7
Orbaizeta Munitions Factory
Information
The ruins of the Royal Munitions Factory and the Kultur Ola Cultural Center
The ruins of the Royal Munitions Factory of Orbaizeta stand out for their rarity as the primary military-industrial complex in northern Spain during the 18th century. Built upon ancient medieval ironworks in the heart of the Iraty Forest, the site includes a village, a church, and hydraulic canals that now blend seamlessly into nature.
8
Roncesvalles Collegiate Church
Information
Roncesvalles left its mark on Navarre’s history through the famous Battle of 778 against Charlemagne’s army and as a royal foundation of King Sancho VII, whose tomb rests there. Its collegiate church and hospital have welcomed pilgrims since the 12th century, establishing the site as the ultimate Pyrenean gateway on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James).
Photo : © Oriol Conesa
9
The Steles Museum
Information
The Steles Museum of Abaurrea Alta preserves more than 30 medieval discoidal (disk-shaped) steles in its original cemetery, symbolizing Basque-Navarrese funerary rites. The labyrinth surrounding them elevates the experience, bringing this unique Pyrenean heritage to life.
10
Visit to Mauléon-Licharre
Information
Mauléon-Licharre charms visitors with its medieval and Renaissance castles, its proud status as the historical capital of the espadrille, scenic views over the Pyrenees, and its authentic Souletin atmosphere in the French Basque Country.
Photo : © Pierre Alex Barcoisbide
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg
Flights to Biarritz
With Ryanair from Brussels (Charleroi Airport)
With KLM from Amsterdam.
With Luxair from Luxembourg
Flights to Bordeaux. Bordeaux is located 2 hours and 20 minutes by road from Pau. Rail connections are also possible to Pau, as well as to Bayonne.
With KLM from Amsterdam.
With EasyJet from Brussels.With Volotea from Brussels (Charleroi Airport).
With Luxair from Luxembourg.
Train to Bayonne
By train from Brussels (with a change of train and station in Paris) to Bayonne.
United Kingdom
Flights to Biarritz
With Ryanair from Edinburgh.
With Ryanair and EasyJet from London.
Flights to Bordeaux. Bordeaux is located 2 hours and 20 minutes by road from Pau. It is also possible to take a direct train from Bordeaux to Bayonne to start the itinerary.
With EasyJet from Bristol, Edinburgh, and Manchester.
With British Airways from London (Gatwick Airport).
Germany
Flights to Biarritz
With Lufthansa from Frankfurt and Munich.
Flights to Bordeaux. Bordeaux is located 2 hours and 20 minutes by road from Pau. It is also possible to take a direct train from Bordeaux to Bayonne to start the itinerary.
With EasyJet from Berlin (Brandenburg Airport).
With Air Dolomiti from Frankfurt.
With Lufthansa from Munich (Franz Josef Strauss Airport).
Oloron-Sainte-Marie
Jazz Festival (Des Rives & Des Notes) : Late June and early July.
May 1st Fair : Celebrated on May 1st with various events and activities.
Sainte-Croix Festivals (Fêtes de la Sainte-Croix) : June 28th and 29th.
World Garbure Championship (“La Garburade”) : First Saturday of September.
Ochagavía
Orhipean, Festival of Trades and Traditions (Fête des Métiers et des Traditions) : Late August / early September.
Patronal Festivals (Fêtes Patronales) : Starting September 8th. Highlights include the traditional dance of the “Danzantes” (dancers with sticks).
Sainte-Anne Festivals (Fêtes de Sainte-Anne) : 3 days of celebration ending with a pilgrimage (romería) to the Muskilda Hermitage.
Valcarlos
Dance of the Bolantes (Danse des Bolantes) : Easter Sunday.
Salies-de-Béarn
Salies Festivals / Patronal Festivals (Fêtes de Salies / Fêtes patronales) : First weekend of August.
Salt Festival (Fête du Sel) : Second weekend of September.
La Piperadère : August 15th. A culinary and cultural event.
Salies à Peindre : 2nd weekend of July. An artistic competition dedicated to painting.
Art en Vrac : Easter week. Contemporary art exhibition/gathering.
Motorcycle Festival (Fête de la Moto) : September.
Amateur Film Festival (Festival du Film Amateur) : October.
Pau
Carnaval Biarnès (Bearn Carnival) : Late February or early March (coinciding with a weekend).
Emmaüs Lescar-Pau Festival (Festival Emmaüs Lescar-Pau) : During the month of August.
L’Été à Pau : July and early August.
Grand Prix de Pau (Horse Racing) : Around the 3rd weekend of January.
La Terrasse du Jurançon : Fair in late April.
Pending
Travel better, all year round
Traveling better means choosing a type of tourism that is more respectful of the local regions and the people who bring them to life. Through these itineraries, the project invites you to slow down, immerse yourself in the landscapes, meet the locals, and promote local expertise, all while adopting responsible and sustainable practices.
Meeting points with North-South getaways (ou escapades)
