19
PDI
7.2 mi
DISTANCE
2,930 ft
GAINED
7.3 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ties Arts, Bussum, Netherlands.
INTRO
Artzamendi is the big mountain above Itxassou in the French Basque Country, and this is its classic approach from the village: 11.6 km (7.2 mi) from the banks of the Nive to 912 m (2992 ft), just below the summit, gaining 893 m (2930 ft) at an average of 7.3%. That average hides a climb of two very different halves - and the second half is brutally steep.
The first 8 km (5.0 mi) are almost gentle. The road follows the Nive past the Pas de Roland, then climbs steadily up the green, quiet Bérandotz valley at 4-7%. Then the Artzamendi road turns uphill for real: the final 3.6 km (2.2 mi) gain about 440 m (1440 ft) at roughly 12%, with the steepest kilometer averaging 17.3% and short ramps close to 19%.
It's a dead end to the top, and that's part of the charm - the road is extremely quiet, and when our contributor Ties Arts rode it, it was just him and the mountain animals. A civil radar station crowns the summit just above the finish, and the 360-degree panorama runs from the Basque hills to the Atlantic coast. Fog and storms can roll in fast off the ocean, so check current conditions before you go with our Weather tool.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Artzamendi from Itxassou climbs 11.6 km (7.2 mi) from 65 m (213 ft) to 912 m (2992 ft), gaining 893 m (2930 ft) at an average grade of 7.3%, with about 46 m (151 ft) of descent along the way.
The first kilometer along the Nive is nearly flat. From there the Bérandotz valley road climbs in steps - km 2 averages 7.3%, then the grade alternates between about 4% and 7.5% through km 8, reaching 471 m (1545 ft).
The last 3.6 km (2.2 mi) are the whole story. Km 9 averages 15.1%, km 10 eases to 9.3%, km 11 kicks back up to 14.9%, and the final half kilometer averages about 8.6% to the finish. The steepest kilometer averages 17.3%, the steepest 2 km 13.5% and the steepest 5 km 10.7%, and the steepest short pitch hits close to 19%.
Roadway: Paved the whole way, and riders coming up from Itxassou describe the asphalt as in excellent condition. It's a narrow mountain lane with no center line, though, and the steep upper section is tight and twisty - the surface gets slippery after rain, and the descent needs real care.
Traffic: Very light. The road serves farms in the Bérandotz valley and the installations at the summit, so you may meet the occasional van or utility vehicle, and horses and other livestock graze on and beside the road.
Parking: Park in Itxassou rather than at the start - the narrow riverside road toward the Pas de Roland has no real parking. The village center has several small car parks, including one near the Saint-Fructueux church, and it's about a kilometer's roll down to the start at Laxia by the Nive.
Gear: Bring your lowest gears - the final 3.6 km average about 12% with a kilometer at more than 17%, and a 34x32 or bigger is not overkill here. Good brakes matter just as much for the descent, and pack a rain or wind layer even in summer, since the summit is often in cloud and much cooler than the valley.
Provisions: Stock up in Itxassou before you go - there are no shops, cafes or water sources once you leave the Nive.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Itxassou is famous across the Basque Country for its cherries. Its small, dark local cherries - varieties like Xapata, Peloa and Beltxa - were revived by a growers' association founded in 1994, and the classic way to eat them is as black cherry jam with a slice of local ewe's-milk cheese. The Fête de la Cerise, on the first Sunday of June, fills the village with parades, Basque dancing and tastings.
Down by the start, the riverside beach at Laxia is a good spot for a picnic or a cool-off in the Nive after the descent, and the Nive is also popular for rafting and canoeing. The Pas de Roland, the legendary rock passage on the river, sits along the river near the start - see our Artzamendi via Col de Légarré page for its story and for the Espelette approach, which shares the upper part of this climb.
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