LE PAS DE ROLAND
A 3 km walk through a legendary passageway, allowing you to regenerate in this generous and authentic natural setting.
A legendary image is given to this narrow passage, cut in the rock in the gully of the Laxia. Roland is the nephew of Charlemagne. In August 778, he was part of the rearguard of his army at war against the Saracens (in reality the Basques) and headed on horseback towards the pass that would allow him to push them back into Spain. At the height of Itxassou, he rides along the Gave river and comes up against an impassable rock. It is then that he seizes his sword which never leaves him, brandishes it and cuts a passage for the soldiers. Durandal has saved them, they can continue. Roland leaves the print of his foot on the rock. Unfortunately, braving the danger with courage and without an escort, he died at the pass known as the pass of Roncesvalles, on August 12, 778 (the legendary hero is found in the chanson de geste, La chanson de Roland). In any case, the superb landscape is worth discovering this steep ascent, a narrow pass, during which sometimes only a car can pass... So, why not decide to do it on foot from Itxassou or by bike with preferably an electric assistance! An unmissable walk of almost 3 km. A little further on, in about twenty minutes by car, you reach the pass of the Calves (a venta) on the border with Spain. At the same time bucolic, instructive and ideal to regenerate in this so generous and authentic nature, it is there a small corner of paradise accessible to all, near the typical villages of Itxassou, Bidarray, Cambo-les-Bains.
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Members' reviews on LE PAS DE ROLAND
Ce garer en amont car la route est très étroite et se garer n'est pas facile du tout.
Le rocher est une curiosité à voir
Le cadre est magnifique , la promenade très agréable .
Découvert sous un temps pluvieux , mais sous le soleil , ce doit être magique .
La ballade (très facile) longe une rivière jusqu'au fameux rocher percé, en contrebas de la route.
La visite permet d'allier promenade en plein air et petite leçon d'histoire pour les enfants!
Vous pourrez également admirer le vol des vautours.
Mieux vaut laisser sa voiture sur les parkings avant d'effectuer la montée (les 64 sont prioritaires !lol!).