3.Ibaneta
(1057m)
Remember Roland’s warning horn. It was from this village that he sent out his SOS. Sadly, when Charlemagne reached the place, the Basque armies had wiped out Roland and his men.
In poor weather conditions, the Charlemagne’s chapel bells will ring to alert pilgrims. The old chapel, ruined beyond repair, gave way in 1965 to a new chapel. Signs in French, Spanish, Basque and Latin welcome pilgrims to prayer at the shrine of Our Lady of Ronceval. There is a modern monument to Roland.
Directions:
There is a delightful wooded walk, down the hill for the 2km to Roncesvalles. You are with Nature in its entire splendor and it’s a brief but exhilarating experience. The path is waymarked: there are some small buildings on your right. Turn left and you arrive at a chapel. Just before you reach the abbey, the path merges with a track coming from the left. The monastery is a minute or so away. Go through a courtyard and you are face to face with the church.

3km to Roncesvalles