Navarre, a unique destination LA ZONA MEDIA NAVARRA DESTINO ÚNICO | 1 © GOVERNMENT OF NAVARRE Department of Economic Development Directorate General of Tourism and Trade Tourism Marketing Service 1st edition – february 2019 Written by: Heda Comunicación Cover photo: Gaintza (G. Arrugaeta) DL/LG NA 368-2019 Ref. C203 Printed on recycled paper Plazaola Rail Trail 2 | NAVARRA DESTINO ÚNICO LA ZONA MEDIA You choose; we will win you over Navarre is a unique land of tracks, urbanites will fi nd a green city which is pathways and stunning views; an array home to great treasures, not to mention of villages, farmhouses, landscapes, a world famous festival, San Fermin; tre- traditions and people. Everything is at kkers can choose between the green hills your fi ngertips. Just 100 kilometres as of the Pyrenees and the wide open spaces the crow fl ies separate the high peaks of of the Middle Zone or the Ribera region; the Pyrenees from the lunar landscapes and gourmets will want the taste of the of the Bardenas Reales Natural Park. authentic local cuisine to linger in their The diversity and contrast of Navarre mouths for ever. If you are one of those makes it a paradise for all types of tra- travellers or all of them at the same time, veller. Culture lovers will be enraptured we invite you to live your own experience. by its artistic heritage and everything And remember, Navarre is committed to that has sprung up around the Way of St sustainable tourism! It is possible to dis- James over the years; those with more cover nature while taking care of it, pass curious minds will enjoy the store of through without leaving a trace, take in learning and customs of its people; culture and traditions while helping to adventurers will discover peaceful preserve them, and buy local products to villages and locations where they can help keep the places you visit alive. lose themselves or do all kinds of sport; in Pamplona, the community’s capital, Navarre, a unique destination Bardenas Reales 3 Bera Baztan route Lesaka Urdazubi/Urdax FRANCIA BERTIZARANA VALLE DEL BAZTAN NA-121-B NA-121-A GIPUZKOA Elizondo French route Doneztebe/Santesteban Luzaide/ (via Orreaga/Roncesvalles) Valcarlos Leitza NA-170 NA-135 Orreaga/Roncesvalles NA-138 Pantano de Irabia Lekunberri Embalse de Eugi Selva de Irati A-15 Lintzoain (Erro) NA-140 NA-135 LARRA-BELAGUA Garralda Garaioa Irurtzun ULTZAMA NA-121-A Zubiri NA-140 Etxarri-Aranatz A-10 Ochagavía/ Otsagabia AP-68 VALLE DE AEZKOA ALTSASU/ALSASUA NA-135 NA-240-A Isaba/Izaba Olazti/Olazagutía Roncal NA-120 Embalse de Itoiz HUESCA PAMPLONA/IRUÑA Aoiz/Agoitz NA-178 NA-718 ALAVA A-12 NA-214 Burgui SIERRA DE LOKIZ Embalse de Alloz NA-121 NA-150 Navascués ESTELLA- LIZARRA A-21 Puente la Ayegui Villatuerta Reina/Gares Lumbier NA-121 Embalse de Yesa Aibar/Oibar Arróniz Artajona A-12 SANGÜESA/ Los Arcos Allo Larraga NA-132 ZANGOZA San Martín de Unx Viana TAFALLA Cáseda French route (via Somport) Olite/Erriberri Sesma Lerín AP-68 Lodosa Cárcar NA-121 Andosilla Sartaguda Falces NA-115 Carcastillo LA RIOJA San Adrián Peralta Caparroso Azagra Marcilla Funes Villafranca NA-134 ZARAGOZA Milagro NA-121 Cadreita Valtierra Arguedas NA-113 BARDENAS Corella REALES Fitero Cintruénigo TUDELA Murchante Cabanillas Fustiñana NA-113 Cascante Ribaforada NA-126 Ablitas A-12 Buñuel AP-68 Cortes Cave of Zugarramurdi Ebro Route 4 Baztan, Bidasoa, Urdazubi/Urdax, Zugarramurdi Green, how I love you green In the valleys nearest to the Bay of Biscay, everything is green. Lush nature gives way to enchanted villages and stories of smugglers and witches’ covens. This is the Navarre with a mild climate, the land of watermills and brooks, home to noblemen and palaces, where the Basque language is very much alive. Want to discover it? 5 EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF WITCHES AND COVENS Shrouded in a veil of mystery which dates back to the 17th century, Zugarramurdi receives you with its famous cave, a magical place where covens were held and which the movie director Alex de la Iglesia immortalised in his fi lm “Witching & Bitching”. Cave of Zugarramurdi ▲ The best way to learn about the history of this magical village and its traditions, and get a better understanding of why its population was persecuted by the Inquisition is to visit the Witch Museum Urdazubi/Urdax / Caves of Ikaburu ▼ in what used to be the old local hospital, very close to the caves. ON THE TRAIL OF SMUGGLERS Separated from the Baztan valley by the Otsondo pass stands the small town of Urdazubi/Urdax, on the border with France. A peaceful stroll through its streets will The caves of Ikaburu, a universe of reveal to you its mediaeval stone bridges, stalactites and stalagmites which started its houses emblazoned with coats of to take shape 14,000 years ago, are arms, the 9th-century Monastery of San worthy of special mention. And at the Salvador and a mill which dates from caves, history lovers can set off on the 1700s. the smugglers’ trail. 6 | ATLANTIC PYRENEES BAZTAN, LAND OF NOBLEMEN AND SECRET FORESTS In the Baztan valley, the peaks of the Pyrenees soften to expo- se farmhouses and barns scattered over the hillsides. The best views of the area are from the Baztan viewpoint in Ziga or from the Otsondo pass, at an altitude of 600 m. After taking in the valley in general, it’s time to venture into its villages. The fi rst thing you will notice is the abundance of pa- laces and grand houses in pinkish stone with big balconies, the remnants of the fortunes amassed by noblemen and indianos (those who returned after making their fortunes in Latin Ame- rica). Casa Jaureguizar in Arraioz, the Cabo de Armería palaces of Jarola and Ascoa in Elbete, and the Arizkunenea palace and Casa Puriosenea in Elizondo are particularly worth seeing. The richness of the local architecture is perfectly set off by the splendour of the landscape. Redolent woods, megalithic monu- ments, caves and characters from mythology are some of the allures awaiting you which have served as a source of inspira- tion for all kinds of artists. The successful Baztan Trilogy by Do- lores Redondo was set in this mysterious valley. If you are visiting the area in July, don’t miss the Baz- tandarren Biltzarra, the valley’s feast of brotherhood, in Eli- zondo. And try the famous chocolate with hazelnuts any time of the year! Ziga Elizondo ▼ ATLANTIC PYRENEES | 7 THE BIDASOA AND ITS PEACEFUL VALLEYS The Bidasoa river, a salmon river which blends naturally into the forever green hillsides dotted with well-tended hamlets constructed in stone and wood with colourful balconies, passes through the Regata del Bidasoa area. The best advice is to enjoy its rural architecture and natural landscapes at your leisure. To the northwest of Regata, the Cinco Villas/Bortziriak district is an area of old ironworks and illustrious residents. The musts on the list of places to visit has to include Casa Itzea in Bera, home to the Baroja family, the Parish Church of San Martín de Tours Bertiz Natural Park ▲ (16th century) and the Kasherna or Zabaleta tower in Lesaka, the Hermitage of San Juan Bautista in Igantzi, the stelae in the SEÑORIO DE BERTIZ AND THE BIDASOA RAIL atrium of the Church of La Asunción in Etxalar and the village’s TRAIL, ABSOLUTE MUSTS famous pigeon hides, which draw crowds of hunters during the hunting season. One place on the banks of the Bidasoa that you simply must not don’t leave the area without visiting the Malerreka district, with miss is Señorío de Bertiz, a 2,000-hectare Natural Park with a the elegant village of Doneztebe/Santesteban and the nearby beautiful historical-artistic garden and a Nature Interpretation Jauregia tower in Donamaria. Leave your stress behind in the Centre. Another trip to recommend: the Bidasoa Rail Trail, which reservoirs of Leurtza and if you like more ancestral traditions, makes use of the route of an old railway line and forms part of be sure to go to the rural EuroVelo 1, a major cycling route which runs all the way down carnivals in Ituren, Zu- europe’s atlantic coastline. bieta, Bera and Lesaka. Bidasoa Rail Trail ▼ Your stay will become an utter pleasure if you try some of the local cui- sine: trout, salmon, beef and, in season, wild mus- hrooms, cider and game. ▼ Ituren, Zanpantzar 8 | ATLANTIC PYRENEES Sierra de Aralar, Leitzaran, Ultzama, Sakana y Sierras de Urbasa y Andía In the heart of Navarre’s little Switzerland Enchanting landscapes, Basque, an ancient language which is still very much alive in this area, megalithic remains, trails and quaint villages erected amidst rivers, meadows and woodland are some of the joys awaiting you. Shall we begin? Sierra de Urbasa PIRINEOS ATLÁNTICOS NAVARRA ESENCIAL | 9 ARALAR, THE SIERRA OF HIDDEN TREASURES The road up to the Sie- rra de Aralar starts in Lekunberri, a beautiful village whose stone houses are distributed around the Church of San Juan Bautista (14th century). One of the most inte- resting things you can do here is discover the natural environment ▲ Astitz, cave of Mendukilo on the Plazaola Rail ▲ Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar Trail, the route of the old railway line that used to join Pamplo- na and Donostia-San Sebastián and which now can be explored on foot or by bike. THE PARADISE WALKERS DREAM OF From Lekunberri, you can visit two of the must-see places in the area. The fi rst, the Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar, a magical In the Leitzaran valleys, the intense green of the landscape creeps place with a history spanning more than a thousand years and in to form part of every one of its beautiful villages.