Heading out of Biarritz leaving the Bay of Biscay behind, the Pyrenees fill the horizon.
Joining the main road the first 20 miles disappear quickly and the residential areas drop behind quickly as the roads get emptier.
Turning of the D918 and the roads are now tree lined as the roads just continue to sweep left and right.
As the road leads you to the tiny village of Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry as everything becomes a lot slower and as you leave the village the road turns upwards and the speeds lower.
As the road winds it's way up the hill the sky suddenly opens up and the view is spread out in front of you, just don't take too long looking as there is very little straight roads in the next few miles.
It is crazy to think that people choose to take their bicycles up this road as it is constantly going up, just watch out for random sheep and horse as they decide on their own paths.
Some of the road edges are a little small so care needs to be taken or it could be a short trip. Reaching the summit of Izpegi at 690m it is time to stop and turn around. The view is pretty amazing. RP6
So stop, grab a coffee and just enjoy the view as you sit between France and Spain
What goes up must come down and the road down is as much fun as the one up, hairpin after hairpin as you make your way down the mountainside.
A short easy ride along the main road allows you to relax for a while before turning off and heading out into the countryside once more.
The gradient is not harsh but the road makes it way up the side of the mountain and when you get to Alto de Egozkue you suddenly realise how high you have gone. RP10
This is a single-track road that leads it's way though small villages with some sharp turns. But the wide-open scenery is constant as you start the decline, with more hairpins.
As you turn towards Pamplona it seems as though the Spanish cannot make a straight road, as you round each bend there is another waiting to be turned. The NA-138 needs to be re-visited at another day as it is all like this
The N-135 is just another example of the reason why we go to these regions. From corner to corner with elevation and descent as you cross over Puerto de Erro the fun never stops.
The small village of Espinal has an automated petrol station as well as the Hostal Haizea so there is time to take a break, drink a coffee and then discuss how good the road was that you have just ridden.
Turning onto the NA-140 you are presented with another winding piece of tarmac that will keep you on your toes as some of the bends do tighten, and then a few are full hairpins. Basically, it is 30 minutes of riding heaven
Stop for lunch in Otsagabia by the river, the bridges are cobbled which are interesting to ride over. Hostal & restaurante Orialde is Spanish food but made in a South American style.
Back on the NA-140 and the curves keep coming, another 30 minutes of fun.
Turning left onto the NA-176 the road seems to follow the natural path of the stream as it winds along the valley. But before you know it the road heads up again, the views are stunning as you go higher up the side of the mountain. You leave Navarra and head into Aragon, you will know exactly when you cross over as the road surface changes immediately, and not for the better. The views as you ride into Anso are amazing, but there is nowhere safe to stop. Just a mental picture then to think about later. The 176 continues to offer curves and views as it rolls down to the valley floor again. And now the road turns to long sweeping bends for another 30 minutes.
A short free run along the much faster N-240 before a turn off onto the N-260, a smooth straight part of the road leads to Biescas before it turns East and just clings to the side of the hill. If there was a road you will need your GoPro to capture scenery it is here. There is just too much to see. Steep sides of the valley in between tunnels moving you through the mountains. Speed limits vary but the level of wonderful scenery doesn’t. The abandon village of Janovoas would be on anyone else’s itinerary, but there is time to take some long-distance photos and admire the current views before things seem to change.
Trees thin out and more rock is visible as the road moves through the mountain base. Tunnels and rock faces are all along this narrower part of the road. Through each tunnel the views change but the road follows the Ria Ora to the 12th Century town of Ainsa, where we finish this journey.

This was a great day of riding which shows why so many come to this region, I will return I am sure.
Not sure if there is a 5 Star road but some of these are as close as they are going to get. So I can only give it a 4 star due to some of the road conditions