Advanced Golondrinas Route

This stage takes you from the open pastures of Belagua to the limestone bowl of Linza, connecting two classic mountain huts on the edge of the western Pyrenees. The route combines quiet tracks, riverbanks and shaded forests with expansive views of rolling ridges and solitary peaks. As you approach the head of the Ansó Valley, the final kilometres towards the refuge are framed by rocky slopes and grazing meadows.

From the Belagua hut, the path descends, zigzagging across pastures and through forests before joining a track that leads to the Belagua River. This braided riverbed often remains dry in summer due to water infiltration, but increases its flow during periods of rain and snowmelt. After following the road and the undulating valley floor for a while, the route enters the Aztaparreta Nature Reserve. Here, you will walk alongside beautiful, imposing beech forests with occasional clearings. These offer views of peaks such as Txamantxoia/Punta Maz (1,941 m). You may find occasional ruins of bordas on your steep ascent to the day's highest point, Collado de Maz (1,473 m).

Emerging from the woods, the trail traverses karst slopes and small cols, gradually gaining height as it approaches the Linza basin. The final section crosses open meadows dotted with grazing horses and cattle, with Paquiza de Linzola Sur (2,087 m) rising above the valley. A clear path then leads to the Refugio de Linza, which sits on a grassy shelf offering wide views towards Aragon. Here, you can rest before further exploring tomorrow.

This long mountain crossing links the grassy basin of Linza with the limestone cirque located high above the Lescun Valley. The route climbs through pastures and into a wild karst landscape dotted with sinkholes and rocky ridges. It passes beneath summits such as the Grande Aiguille d'Ansabère (2,377 m). A panoramic high traverse then leads to the French border, followed by a sustained descent through meadows and forest to the balcony-like setting of the Refuge de l’Abérouat.

From the refuge, a clear path rises steadily through trees and open pasture to reach the 2,080-metre-high Petrechema Pass, which offers views back towards the rounded peaks of Navarra and marks the border with France. Here, the landscape feels remote and alpine, with cliffs and gullies dropping away towards French territory while vultures circle overhead. Beyond the pass, the trail descends through limestone hollows and scattered pines, passing close to plateaus and crossing several mountain streams. The descent begins on stony slopes and then the terrain softens into grassy terraces and beech and fir forests overlooking the deep Lescun Valley, where the Ansabère cabins are located.

As you approach the bottom of the valley, scattered buildings come into view, and shortly after beginning the ascent, you pass through the village of Lescun. You can stop there to recharge your batteries before the final climb to the refuge. A track then leads up to L'Abérouat, a mountain hut surrounded by pastures and trees where you can enjoy a warm meal and a comfortable bed.

Starting from the pastoral balcony of L'Abérouat, the route ascends past the limestone walls of the Pic d'Anie/Auñamendi (2,504 m) on your right, before reaching a wild karst plateau with panoramic views of the French and Spanish valleys. The terrain softens halfway through the route, after Col de Pescamou (1,918 m) and Arlas Peak (2,044 m), where the downhill section begins. You will cross the border between France and Spain several times before finally reaching Belagua Refuge in Navarre.

From there, a clear path winds its way up through a beech forest and past open spaces where livestock graze. It soon gains altitude on the open slopes beneath the cliffs of the Pic d’Anie. It then continues towards Pas d'Azuns (1,840 m), weaving its way through typical karst landscapes. Beyond the pass, the trail traverses rolling terrain and small cols, offering views of the surrounding ridges. Next, you will reach Pas de l'Osque (1,860 m), where an auxiliary trail provides extra assistance for navigating the short but challenging T3 section. This is followed by a long undulating section featuring a gradual descent and an intense ascent towards Pescamou Pass (1,918 m).

Now, Pico de Arlas (2,044 m), the highest point of the day, comes into view, followed by a zigzag descent. Later, you will catch a glimpse of the south face of Pic d'Anie against the backdrop of vast landscapes, before reaching Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin (1,766 m). This pass is located next to a car park on the border between France and Spain. Continue along the road to re-enter France via a tree-lined path, descending steadily with glimpses of waterfalls and cliffs along the way. The terrain here becomes wilder, with the scenery opening up towards the Aspe and Belagua valleys. A clear shepherd's path then leads you up to the Portillo de Eraize/Erraitzeko Lepua pass (1,578 m) in Navarre, Spain.

As the slope eases, you will emerge onto tracks running parallel to the road, with the buildings of the Belagua Refuge soon coming into view. The refuge sits on a grassy terrace, surrounded by meadows and grazing horses. Well done!