The Irati forest is one of the largest and best preserved beech and fir forests in Europe. It contains some 17,000 hectares that are kept in an almost virgin state. It is located in the eastern Pyrenees of Navarre, in a basin surrounded by the Pyrenean valleys of Aezkoa and Salazar.
It is a natural treasure of great ecological value in which a number of different protection measures coexist, such as the Mendilatz and Tristuibartea nature reserves and the Lizardoia integral reserve. A forest that will leave you with a multitude of feelings.
Within this incredible landscape you can carry out different types of activities, such as hiking, mountain biking and Nordic skiing.
Access
From Pamplona/Iruñea, along the St James Way, N135 from Huarte/Uharte passing through Zubiri. After Espinal/Aurizberri, take the detour to the Aezkoa Valley by the NA140 to Aribe, and by NA2030 to Orbara and Orbaizeta.
From Pamplona/Iruñea, take the NA240 road through Noain and Elo-Monreal to the Venta de Judas junction, turning off the NA-178, direction Lumbier/Irunberri and Navascués/Nabaskoze towards the Salazar Valley to Otsagabia.
A63 motorway (Bordeaux – San Sebastián/Donostia), exit 4 (Bayonne South – Cambo), then continue towards Cambo, St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, St-Jean-le-vieux, Iraty.
A64 motorway (Toulouse-Bayonne), Exit Béarn no 7, then follow direction Sauveterre, Mauléon, Tardets, Larrau, Iraty.