Pyrenean Valleys Region. This is another clearly defined natural region. Made up of the Roncal, Salazar and Aezcoa valleys, it is essentially Pyrenean or Alpine, especially at its headwaters. In the lower part of the Salazar valley, within its geographical area, we find the Navascués almiradio and, as neighbouring areas of this Pyrenean region, we have the smaller valleys of Urraul alto and bajo, Lónguida, Arce and Erro, which also share its cold climate. These three main valleys, Roncal, Salazar and Aezcoa, have been formed by the hydrographic of the Ezka, Salazar and Irati rivers respectively. Their orographic is based on the common Pyrenean headwaters and the buttresses that start from it. The Pyrenean part of these valleys stretches from the Mesa de los Tres Reyes (Iror Erregue Maia), in Isaba, to the vicinity of Orreaga (Roncesvalles). A beautiful area of lofty rocks and extensive forests of beech, fir, pine and oak trees, with its pretty villages with pointed roofs, it offers the visitor a surprising panorama. Its geography includes the chasm of San Martín and the karst phenomenon of Larra (Isaba); the immense forest of Irati, the beautiful reservoir of Irabia (Salazar-Aezcoa) and the impressive gorge of Arbayún (almiradio de Navascués). Its major fauna can make it a hunter's paradise, as it is home to brown bears, deer, roe deer and wild boar. There is also a rich fauna of birds of prey: various eagles, bearded vultures, vultures, eaglets, kites, crows, ravens, etc. Its economy is essentially based on timber and livestock. Almost all the wood from this very rich area is sold without undergoing any transformation whatsoever. Only a few stubborn sawmills keep up a small industrial activity. The production of sheep's cheese is in decline and wool is sold at derisory prices. The plain of Belagua, in Isaba, seems appropriate for ensuring the economic life of the village, with its complementary areas of Belabarze and Mintxate, as tourism can only be considered an acceptable help. The seven town councils of the Roncal valley: Burgui, Vidangoz, Roncal, Garde, Urzainqui, Isaba and Uztarroz live, as we have already mentioned, from timber and livestock. Set in a delightful landscape, like their sisters in Salazar and Aezkoa, they enjoy an ideal climate in summer and a harsh climate in winter and spring. The Salazar valley with its fourteen villages: Izalzu, Ochagavia, Ezcaroz, Jaurrieta, Oronz, Esparza, Ibilzieta, Sarriés, Güesa, Igal, Izal, Uscarrés, Iziz, Gallués and the hamlet of Ripalda, has the same characteristics as the Roncal valley, especially in its upper part. Aezkoa, which stretches from Salazar to Arce, includes the villages of Abaurrea Alta, Abaurrea Baja, Aribe, Villanueva de Aezkoa, Aria, Orbara, Orbaizeta, Garayoa and Garralda. The economic characteristics are similar to those of the other two valleys, with more potato cultivation. For many years the three valleys were virtually cut off from each other. Their roads followed the direction of their rivers, towards the south. But nowadays there are transverse roads linking them and two international roads linking them with Zuberoa and Bearne.