Fairy-tale forests from 9,000 Avios
Navarre is home to some of the most spectacular woodland in all of Europe, from the Irati, Orgi and Quinto Real forests to the gardens of Señorío de Bertiz, the Urbasa mountain ranges and the natural pools of Nacedero del Urederra. In this edition, we explore these fairy-tale beech and oak groves and admire their spectacular ochre and gold tones, waterfalls, viewpoints and peaks – all less than an hour from Pamplona.
Fly to the capital of Navarre from 9,000 Avios (return trip).
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1 The Irati Forest
The second largest beech forest in Europe, the Irati Forest occupies the valleys of Aezkoa and Salazar, and part of the French valleys of Cize and Soule, extending over 17,000 hectares. From its two entrances – the towns of Orbaiceta and Ochagavía – visitors can discover an authentic fairy-tale forest of surprising colours, especially in autumn and winter. Along with the beech and fir trees, there are other plant species, such as oaks, birches, willows, yews, ferns, hollies, blackberry bushes and mosses. Irati is also home to wild boar and roe deer, woodpeckers, golden eagles, bearded vultures and peregrine falcons. Due to its extraordinary natural wonders, in 1990 Irati was declared a Special Protection Area by the Navarre government.
Photo: Iñaki Tejerina / Turismo de Navarra -
2 Señorío de Bertiz Natural Park
Declared a natural park 40 years ago, this spectacular enclave of some 2,000 hectares that includes beeches, oaks and alders owes its environmental value to the vision of its last owners, the Ciga family, who donated it to the autonomous community in 1949 to be used for educational and scientific purposes. In 1900, Pedro Ciga and his wife, Dorotea Fernández, had purchased the estate, which in the 14th century had belonged to Pedro Miguel Bértiz, who was named ‘Merino de las montañas’ – a kind of regional administrator with broad powers – by King Carlos III of Navarre. The natural park’s attractions include its Art Nouveau architecture, fountains with water lilies and a century-old garden that is home to exotic species such as redwoods, gingko and bamboo. In addition, at its Nature Interpretation Centre, which occupies the Tenientetxea traditional farmhouse, visitors can learn about the park’s ecosystems and its conservation goals. Admission is €3, and children go free of charge.
Photo: Javier Campos / Turismo de Navarra -
3 Quinto Real
A one-of-a-kind territory between the town of Erro and the Baztán Valley, Quinto Real offers a spectacular landscape of beeches and a significant presence of endemic fauna including wild boar, roe and other deer – it is one of the most outstanding settings for mating in the region – as well as peregrine falcons and griffon vultures. Along with the forest, there are other great attractions, such as the Eugi Reservoir on the course of the River Arga through Quinto Real, and the ruins of the Royal Eugi Ammunition Factory. Cannon ammunition was made in this old factory, which once occupied 10,000sqm during the second half of the 18th century. Although it was dismantled and abandoned, you can still see some of its walls and arches over the river under the shadow of the beech trees. The Eugi Historical Reference Centre offers guided tours.
Photo: Juan Martínez / Turismo de Navarra -
4 Bosque de Orgi
Located just 25km from Pamplona, in Lizaso at the southern end of the Ultzama Valley, the Orgi Forest has extraordinary ecological value. An ancient oak grove extending over 80 hectares, it is one of the few witnesses to the centuries in which Navarre’s valleys were home to numerous humid oak forests. Here, some live as long as 200 years. Among the bushes and ferns they share space with, you can find wild boar, roe deer, foxes, bats, hedgehogs and shrews. There is also a wide variety of birds, which can be seen on the various simple and tremendously scenic walking routes. There is a €2 conservation fee to enter the park. Guided tours are also offered.
Photo: Francis Vaquero / Turismo de Navarra -
5 Urbasa Mountain Range
There are also incredible beech forests inside Urbasa-Andía Natural Park, north of the merindad (a traditional administrative region) of Estella. They occupy 60 per cent of the area – more than 20,000 hectares – comprising two mountain ranges. Large gorges serve as viewpoints – such as the famous Balcony of Pilate – that allow you to enjoy breathtaking landscapes along the many clearly signposted routes. One of these leads to the Hayedo Encantado (Enchanted Beech Grove), one of the most scenic walks for combining nature with the imposing limestone formations. There are also megalithic monuments and spectacular springs such as the Urederra, a result of the underground lakes formed by the rains that filter through cracks and chasms in the ground.
Photo: Javier Campos / Turismo de Navarra
