Older drivers will recall the above road from immediately over the France/Spain motorway border near Hendaye.It used to lead through the villages and the twists and turns over the summit of the pass and down to Pamplona about 50 miles away.
This road has been much improved over the years and is now a high quality road with plenty of overtaking places and a few tunnels.
One of the more recent improvements is at Sunbilla where there used to be a quality restaurant providing meals for travellers 24 hours a day.On my recent journeys it appears that the new road has isolated this restaurant and it looks closed as I pass.
This would be a shame.It was an ideal spot for a break on the way up north from Valencia.
Yes, it would be a shame. I loved the old road before it was completely rebuilt: much more fun to drive on, if rather more dangerous!
IIRC there were three places at Sunbilla. The two at the bottom were next to each other. Here’s a pic I took next to the older one about 20 years ago. I was in the green 95 SCC, returning from North Africa.
The restaurant I referred to earlier was a big hall with chandeliers.Lovely food and friendly owner.
The place I stop now is to the south near the new roundabout.It seems to cater for cars unless the truck driver fancies a short stroll.
I agree the old road was much more interesting to drive and the old git in me thinks it wouldn’t suit the young uns nowadays.
Yes, that was the older one. I liked it there too. They used to serve local trout from the mountain streams, which you deserved if you’d come down the mountain with just an exhauster and drum brakes!
Pic I took at the top of the old Belate Pass
I used that road frequently after retirement in the car when I was transporting dogs all over Europe. The reason in this case was a refuge at Etxauri to the west of Pamplona and one of the dogs I collected was a young Beauceron, Jules, who after adventures in foster, adoption, and orphaned by the death of his owner, has now, at 10 years of age, been living with me for 4 years and is with me for life, his or mine. 
Nice pics and good memories.
I drive my car 3 or 4 times to Spain and back.This stretch of road is always a pleasure.Several months ago I was forced to use the old road after roadworks caused a diversion over the top.I came over all sentimental.
