Anielarra / Añelarra

Overview

Añelarra (spanish), or Anielarra (french) is a long ridge placed in the Larra Karst, on the french-spanish border and close to the slopes of Anie. Both climbs can be made from french trailheads (see below), but most climbers choose to start from the mountain pass of Piedra de San Martín (Pierre de St.Martin), on the road between Arette and Isaba. The crossing of Larra is always an adventure, even in fine weather, but adverse weather conditions can turn it into a serious problem. Therefore, always think seriously before attempting it.

Getting There

FROM SPAIN
ROAD: For the spanish approach, start from the Col de la Pierre St.Martin, on the french-spanish border. You will have to get there from Pamplona or Huesca, the biggest closer cities. Follow the road linking both of them (N-240) until the crossing of Venta Carrica. This is a crossing about (will check) sixty kilometers from Pamplona, where you can find a petrol station and the beginning of the road to Sigüés / Salvatierra de Esca / Roncal. Follow this road (NA-137) for thirty kilometers, until you get to Isaba. After Isaba keep going north (NA-1370) towards France (follow signposts "Francia"). It is a twenty-five kilometers drive, mainly on the valley floor at first and afterwards by the southern slopes of Lakora. You will find the small mountain restaurant of Juan Pito and the Belagua Mountain Hut, lately administered by the Club Deportivo Navarra but nowadays closed. Keep driving until you reach the parking lot at the mountain pass, on the french border.
BUS ACCESS: From the spanish side, the only chance to get somewhere near Anielarra is via the buses of "La Tafallesa", starting at Pamplona and leading you to Uztarroz (in the Roncal valley). It's either that or joining an organized winter day trip to the ski resort of Arette (almost any travel agent in Pamplona might inform you about this kind of trip).
TRAIN: The closest railroad station is located at Pamplona. Consider also getting to Jaca via Zaragoza and Huesca
PLANE: The closest airport is the one placed at Pamplona-Noain. You can get there from Madrid-Barajas or Barcelona-El Prat


FROM FRANCE
ROAD: The best access for the eastern routes comes from the small village of Lescun. To get there you have to reach first Oloron-Ste.Marie, in the Vallée d'Aspe. You can also reach the western route from France, driving up from Arette to the ski resort of the Pierre-St.martin and and following afterwards the road to Spain (marked "Espagne") for two or three kilometers, up to the Col de la Pierre St. Martin.
TRAIN: Oloron Ste-Marie is the closest station I know of. Private transport is mandatory afterwards, nevertheless.
PLANE: The closest airport is placed in Biarritz

Red Tape

The summit of Añelarra is placed on the french-spanish border and inside the karstic area of Larra, a limestone maze considered as a Natural Reserve. Therefore, apply extreme environmental care. Apart from that, no water sources can be found along the way (except for one on the southwest slope of Arlas, rather close to the Piedra de San Martín trailhead). Bear this in mind: you will need to cover all your water needs for the whole day, specially in summer time. And consider seriously carrying along a GPS receiver, or at least map and compass, as Larra can become a deadly trap if you get caught by fog and bad weather (no kidding, two hikers died up there in July 2011).

Camping

About a couple of miles north of Isaba, you can find the camping site of Asolaze. Check the links section
There's also the possibility to sleep at the Réfuge (mountain hut) de Laberouat on the french trail from Lescun
Some kind of a lodging can also be found in the closer villages (Isaba or Arette), or in the ski resort of Arette-La Pierre St Martin (this might prove to be harder out of the skiing season)

External Links

• Asolaze camping site
  Basic information on services and contact possibilities of the Asolaze Camping site (Isaba-Navarra)

• SNCF - french rail network
  Direct access to the page where you look for a timetable. I would advice on introducing "Oloron Ste Marie" as a destination.
  

Images

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