Hiking Routes Sierras Aralar | Urbasa | Andia | Ultzama Valley

Route 19 Path of Orgi

• Departure: Lizaso
• Distance: 8,40 km
• Unevenness:  100 m

CIRCULAR PATH THAT BRINGS US CLOSE TO ORGI OAK GROUND TO SEE THIS FOREST AS A WHOLE. DESPITE ITS LITTLE SLOPE, THE ITINERARY GOES UP TO THE HIGH OF GUELBENZU, FROM WHERE YOU CAN SEE A GOOD PART OF THE ROBLEDAL.

The tour begins on the NA-4230 road, in the Orgi Natural Recreational Area. From this point, we proceed first by track to Lizaso. We cross the town, cross the NA-4110 road to cross the Arkil River and ascend to Gorrontz-Olano. A road leads us to Olano, from where we get good views over the valley, the forest, the villages and, in the background, the mountains of the Cantabrian-Mediterranean divide. From Olano we continue for 400 m along the track that leads to Venta Guelbenzu to deviate to the right along a path between beech trees, and finish in a gentle ascent to Guelbenzu. At the height of the church of this town we find the best panoramic views of the route, with views of the Orgi forest and the Ultzama valley. We approach again in descent towards the Arkil river. We take the track to the left following the course of the river upstream, until we reach the Venta de Guelbenzu farm. At this point, we take the NA-4110 road to cross the Arkil River. Shortly after, we turn right to enter the Orgi oak grove. From here, we come to a new track that leads us to the Recreational Natural Area.

Of interest

Orgi forest

The Orgi forest is the best known oak grove in the Ultzama Valley. It is a small but ancient witness, of about 80 hectares, of what was once an extensive forest. The oldest oaks in the north of Navarra are preserved in it. The oak forest was declared a Natural Recreational Area in 1996 to conserve them and promote environmental education.

How to get

Take the N-121A until Ostiz and at the intersection the NA-411 through Ultzama towards Lizaso. Shortly before it is to the Natural Area.

Route 20 Roads of Basaburua

• Departure: Lekunberri
• Distance: 18,5 km
• Unevenness: 425 m

CIRCULAR ROUTE THAT START FROM LEKUNBERRI, CAPITAL OF THE LARRAUN VALLEY, TO GO TOWARD THE SOUTHEAST IN SEARCH OF THE NEIGHBORING BASABURUA VALLEY, IN WHICH WE INTRODUCE OURSELVES. THE RETURN THROUGH THE CAÑADA DE LAS PROVINCIAS.

The proposed trail, somewhat longer than usual, begins at the bottom of the Lekunberri depression plain and proceeds southeast to Udabe, passing two small hills. The itinerary is circular and returns by parallel paths a little further north. We start from the old Plazaola train station, where the Tourist Office is located. We left the road towards Etxarri to, at the top, turn off towards the hermitage of Santa Cruz and reach Arruitz by road. From this town we leave through the lower part of the town. We go downhill through the forest until we cross the Gesal regatta. On the way up, we come to a concentration trail that leads us to Udabe. From this town we head towards Beramendi and, in its vicinity, we connect with the Cañada Real de las Provincias (GR-9) through which we reach the Etxeberria hut and the Korrotegaina height. We advance along the track that descends to continue along the path until we cross the regatta. From this point, after a hundred meters, we turn right along the road until we find the Aldatz track and reach this town. A wide path takes us to Etxarri and finally by track we return to Lekunberri.

Of interest

The Plazaola

Today the Plazaola Tourist Consortium and the Lekunberri Tourist Office are located in what was the train station. Here we can find out about the old railway route that today is the Plazaola Greenway and about various tourist services, from leisure activities and free time to accommodation and restaurants.

How to get

Head along the A-15 towards Donostia-San Sebastián until the Lekunberri exit.

Route 21 Leitzalarrea

• Departure: Leitza
• Distance: 6,60 km
• Unevenness: 170 m

CIRCULAR PATH THROUGH THE FORESTS OF LEITZALARREA, 8 KM FROM THE CITY CENTER OF LEITZA. THE ROUTE VISITS THE CROMLECH DE URDOLA, THE RUINS OF THE SARASAIN-ZAHARRA FERRY AND THE IZAIETA SET OF FIR TREES.

The itinerary begins at the parking and reception area of ​​Ixkibar, 8 km from Leitza. Along a path that leaves to the right of the cart that comes from Leitza, we go up and pass a wooden bridge to reach Aritzaundi, where we find the remains of a huge oak that fell in 1888 in a storm. From this point, we continue in a gentle ascent. We see a fork and we continue to the right, uphill, towards Urdola. In its fields we find a cromlech and an orientation table. We continue along a path to the left that goes downhill, which blurs in some section as we descend to an oak grove called Laxaron-Mintegia, where we must cross flooded stretches in the rainy season. The path leads us to the Sarasain regatta, which we cross. Here we find the ruins of the Sarasainzaharra forge. We continue to the left, to cross the Olaeta regatta. We passed a shelter and, after crossing a new regatta, we continued uphill towards the Sarasain Bizkar peak, the watershed between Urumea and Leitzaran.

Of interest

Green Way

The tracks of the Plazaola passenger train, which linked Pamplona with Donostia-San Sebastián, stopped being used in the middle of the 20th century. After decades of neglect, it was decided to transform the route into what is the current Greenway, which allows long walks on foot or by bicycle in some conditioned sections of the old railway.

How to get

By the A-15 towards Donostia-San Sebastián and access to Leitza by the NA-170. From the entrance, 8 km of paved road.

Route 22 Encinar de Betelu

• Departure: Betelu
• Distance4,00 km
• Distance: 320 m

CIRCULAR PATHWAY BETWEEN THE STEEP GRASSLANDS SURROUNDING BETELU, WITH VIEWS TO THE “MALLOAK” OF ARALAR, THE VILLAGES OF THE ARAITZ VALLEY AND THE ARAXES RIVER BASIN, PASSING THROUGH THE BETELU ENCINAR, PECULIAR THROUGH ITS LOCATION.

The route is short but of a certain hardness due to the unevenness. However, it rewards for its views, as long as we take advantage of them on clear days. The route begins behind the Betelu church. In seven hundred meters we leave the Mitxelauzenea hut on the left and the Elosta hut on the right. We will later find a crossroads and continue uphill. We arrived at the cleared terrain of Llorrekozelaia and the Ariztitxo fountain. We advance towards the Lezaetakogaine pass, where the border between Betelu and Lezaeta (Larraun) is located. From this point, we continue the ascent to our right, parallel to the fence. We must pay attention to the steep slope before reaching the top of Arritxo. At this point we get the best views of the route. We see in front the wide panorama of the “Malloas”, Betelu and the valleys of Araitz and Larraun. We can also contemplate the natural enclave Zigadia-Veroate, where the route continues at the top and where we have to pay attention to the slippery ground if there is humidity. We go down the ridge into the forest and, turning to the right, we continue along the path that passes by some remains of mining operations and takes us back to the track that goes up from Betelu, where we return.

Of interest

Royal Path of Betelu

Betelu was erected for a century as an important resting destination for its mineral waters. One of its visitors, King Alfonso XII, is the origin of the path baptized as the Royal Path, which shows in a brief tour the treasures of the town. It starts at the factory located at the beginning of Betelu and runs through the plain of the Araxes river.

How to get

Head north on the A-15 until the Lekunberri exit. Take the direction to Betelu by the NA-130 which you will arrive 8 km later

Route 23 Nacedero del Larraun-Iribas

• Departure: Iribas
• Distance: 5,00 km
• Distance: 100 m

CIRCULAR PATH THAT ALLOWS TO VISIT THE SET OF IRIBAS BIRTHS: AITZARRETA, WHICH ORIGINATES THE ERTZILLA RIVER, AND BASAKAITZ, WHERE THE LARRAUN RIVER IS BORN.

From the car park located at the entrance to the urban center of Iribas, head towards the church and, leaving the town behind in a southerly direction, take the track that passes flat next to the water tank. At 800 meters, at the first crossroads we follow the track that climbs to the right and at the next, we take the path on the left that goes down to the edge of Arotzenea. From there, in a southeasterly direction, a track that leads to the Aitzarrateta spring, in whose lower part the river rises. We start the return. We go back about 200 m and we turn to the right through the fields of Aiztondo, next to the Ertzilla river. The channel turns left later. We see that at the bottom of it branches are piled up: it is the sink of the Ertzilla River, which disappears after barely a kilometer of life. We crossed the dry channel created by the waters of the Ertzilla when the sinkhole overflows. After a short incline, we come to a track that takes us to the Lezegalde chasm, where the overflowing waters of the Ertzilla are submerged on days of especially high flood. From here, we continue the dry channel that runs down the Uhantxoko valley to Basakaitz, the source of the Larraun River, where the waters of the new river arise. We climb steeply up to Iribas.

Of interest

Mendukilo Cave

Very close to Iribas we find the Mendukilo cave, which has been prepared for a guided tour through corridors and lighting. The tour lasts fifty minutes and is open all year round, although in summer it is advisable to reserve. The itinerary is suitable for anyone who can go up and down stairs.

How to get

Go to Lekunberri on the A-15 towards Donostia / S. Sebastian. Once there, take the NA-7504 to Iribas.

Route 24 San Miguel de Aralar

• Departure: Iribas
• Distance: 20,0 km
• Distance: 615 m

CIRCULAR ITINERARY THAT FROM IRIBAS, AND THROUGH BURNIGURUTZ AND THE ATA VALLEY, TAKES US BETWEEN HAYEDOS AND PRADERAS TO THE LEGENDARY SANCTUARY OF SAN MIGUEL. ITS LENGTH AND SLOPE MAKE IT RECOMMENDED ONLY FOR THE BEGINNERS AND ATTENTION MUST BE PAYED ON ABUNDANT FOGGY DAYS.

Most of the trail runs along the route that ascends from the Araitz and Larraun valley to the Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar. The landscape shows us the perpetual greens, thanks to the continuous rain and humidity, combined with the ocher colors in the autumn season. The route begins in Iribas. From this town we head south, leaving the church on the left.
After two kilometers we reached the source of Aitzarrateta and began the ascent. A kilometer later, we find the Txoritxoberri dolmen. We continue the ascent under the beech forest and in a kilometer and a half we reach the Burnigurutz pass. On the way down to the Ata valley we find the dolmens of Izeñiturri I and II and Sekoain I and II. We reached the Ata valley and crossed the stream. Shortly afterwards we started the steep ascent to Apezaren malkorra, from where the Sanctuary (1,237 m) can already be seen, which we reached in less than a kilometer. We descend along the Lekunberri road until the height of km 15. To the right, a path introduces us to the beech forest and descends on the flank, along a poorly defined path to the road, below km 9. We cross it continuing along paths until we reach a concrete track that leads us to Baraibar and along a parcel track between meadows to Iribas.

Of interest

Sanctuary of San Miguel

This sanctuary is one of the oldest centers of spirituality in Navarra. It is a Romanesque temple whose current building began in the 11th century. The decorative sobriety goes unnoticed in front of the sculptural jewel that houses its central nave: a 12th century goldsmith and enamel altarpiece.

How to get

Go to Lekunberri on the A-15 towards Donostia-San Sebastián. Once there, take the NA-7504 to Iribas.

Route 25 Path of the Dolmens (long)

• Departure: Etxarri-Aranatz
• Distance: 14,9 km
• Unevenness: 610 m

CIRCULAR PATH, WHICH FROM THE ETXARRI-ARANATZ CAMPSITE ALLOWS TO VISIT A TEN DOLMEN ON A ROUTE THROUGH OAK AND BEECH FORESTS, THROUGH RACES AND AREAS OF EASY PARKING IN RAINY SEASONS. RECOMMENDED ONLY TO INITIATES.

We are located at the Etxarri-Aranatz campsite. Other routes, also marked, of shorter length start from this same point. Take the track that runs to the right of the campsite, until a crossroads 1.8 km away, turn off and cross the Iraigorri regatta bridge. After 3 km we arrive at the hermitage of San Adrián. Ascent along a path between bushes and forest to the Beitzeta dolmen. The route continues along a path, sometimes poorly defined, finding more dolmens (Iruiturrieta, Jentilzulo, Bentatxar) to the Alto de Irumugarrieta, with good panoramic views.
We continue along the ridge that limits Navarra and Guipúzcoa to the Zelatamuno, Mintegitxuta dolmen and at Txaragordi we descend to a crossroads. We take the one on the left that leads us to Collado de Olano, with the remains of a hut. We ascend to the Fagamendi dolmen and continue to the Maitzegur dolmen, where the steeper zig-zag descent begins until a fork. We continue along the path on the left to an iron gate and the road back to the campsite. There is a variant that shortens the route

Of interest

Mount Beriain or San Donato

In front of the Sierra de Aralar we find the mountainous foothills of the Sierra de Andía, whose most important summit is that of Beriain, with a height of 1,493 m. San Donato stands out for its geological peculiarity, since it is a hanging syncline, produced after strong karst erosion that has made the anticlines disappear.

How to get

Take the A-15 towards Vitoria and in Irurtzun the Autovía de la Barranca until exit 40 Etxarri-Aranatz

Route 26 Itinerary of the Mountaineers

• Departure: Urbasa
• Distance: 3,80 km
• Unevenness: 205 m

INTERPRETIVE PATH OF LINEAR TRACING BY A BEAUTIFUL HAYEDO; AT THE END OF THE ASCENSION YOU GET A GREAT VIEW OF THE SAKANA-BARRANCA VALLEY, ARALAR AND AITZGORRI. GREEN BEACON, BUT WITHOUT LOCAL PATH NUMBERING.

We start our tour at the Information Center. We cross some flat areas where we find specimens of beech, maples and hawthorn trees. To our left, we see a pastoral shack, like many others that are in the mountains to accommodate the shepherds in the transhumance with their cattle. They are found in spaces called sheepfolds, where shepherds and flocks are sheltered. They are usually located in places sheltered from the wind, cold and humidity of the north, and close to sunny places or with water. We will pass next to the Gazbidea road, also called the wagon road, because it was used to extract the sleepers with which to build the train tracks. Also in the area there are several charcoal bunkers. After crossing the plain, we began the ascent through the beech forest of Zuzorkil and Mandaberardia to 1,113 m between Artzanbaratza and Balankaleku. It is one of the wettest beech forests in the mountains and with some specimens that exceed 20 m. The forest mixes with the spectacular nature of the limestone rocks, providing striking pictures. But the best views come from the summit, with the Sakana-Barranca valley, flanked by San Donato to the east and the Sierra de Aralar to the north. I return by the same road.

Of interest

Urbasa-Andía Information Center

Not far from the beginning of this route we find the Urbasa-Andía Information Center. Its objective is to make known the ways of life of the first settlers in the area, as well as to inform about the traditional exploitation of these mountains, their weather, their relief, the fauna and the flora. In the center there are information about routes through Urbasa.

How to get

Highway to Vitoria to Altsasu / Alsasua. Turn along the NA-718 through the Port of Urbasa to the Park Information Center

Route 27 Itinerary of the Fountains

• Departure: Urbasa
• Distance: 4,50 km
• Unevenness: 45 m

INTERPRETIVE PATH OF CIRCULAR ROUTE THAT ALLOWS TO KNOW THE DYNAMICS OF WATER IN THE KARSTIC LAND OF URBASA PARK, AND ITS APPEARANCE IN THE SPRINGS. ITINERARY MARKED WITH BLUE BEACONS, BUT WITHOUT LOCAL PATH NUMBERING.

The route begins in the Interpretation Area (Borda de Severino), next to the main road and runs through various sources in the Urbasa mountain range. When the abundant water filtered to the interior of the mountain collides with the impermeable loams, it tends to leave originating these sources. The interior of the sierra stores about 1,200 Hm3 of water. The first source we visit is that of the Mosquitoes, perhaps the best known for its easy access. We continue and, to the left of the path, we see the beech of the Virgin. Shortly we find a second source on the right, that of Gortasoro, near which prehistoric tools from one hundred thousand years ago have been found. When we reach the Fuente de Arafe, we separate from the Shepherds’ Itinerary, leaving the line marked by the power lines to turn left. After carefully crossing the Zudaire road, we find the source of Arenal in a karst subsidence grape). From this point, we advance towards the source of Basauntziturri. We continue towards the Regajo de los Yesos and after the bridge we ascend towards the panoramic table.

Of interest

Urederra

The Urederra source is a 119-hectare natural reserve around the spring where the Urederra river is born. It is an important escape route from the aquifers that form the Urbasa and Andía mountain ranges, but it is also an area of ​​wide biodiversity, due to its peculiar form of a great natural circus.

How to get

Highway to Vitoria to Altsasu / Alsasua. Turn along the NA-718 through the Puerto de Urbasa to the Interpretation Area of ​​the Park.