Izpegi Pass

The Izpegi Pass (Col d'Ispeguy, Basque: Izpegiko Lepoa, Puerto de Izpegui) is a 672 m high Pyrenean mountain pass located right on the border between Spain and France, linking the Baztan and Baigorri valleys in the Basque Country. The river Bidasoa, known as Baztan in its upper course, rises close by on the western side of the Iparla mountain range stretching out north to south. The name Izpegi applies also to a stream running on its eastern slopes. The population centers closest to the saddle are the village of Erratzu (west) and Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry (east, Baigorri in Basque). A sinuous narrow road that bears witness to a couple of Tour de France stages descends east to Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry, cutting its way through a spectacular grassy and dramatic landscape. The pass is frequented by hikers in order to gain access to the neighbouring mountain Hautza (1, 306 m / 4, 285 ft, waymarking all along) and other mounts of the ridgeline (Mount Iparla). Since the mid-2000s, a modest txalaparta festival is held at the spot on the first Sunday of September, which has become a meeting point for the instrument's players, especially locals. Money raised from the food stall in 2009 was intended to help the Basque language school of the neighbouring small town of Baigorri.

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