Aralar and Urbasa-Andía

The green valleys of Larraun, Imotz, Araitz, Ultzama, Leitzaran, Sakana and Basaburua make up this territory surrounded by forests and meadows in the Sierra de Aralar and Urbasa. This is an excellent environment if what you are looking for is to rest and enjoy the most harmonious nature and awaken your senses.
Aralar-Urbasa is timeless in the sense that it can be enjoyed at any time of the year, with each change of season being experienced intensely, coupled with the different shades of changing colours. These valleys feature large rivers which, together with the rainy and sometimes snowy climate, impart the green colour to the meadows and forests in the territory. The most abundant type of vegetation is trees, mainly beech and centenary oaks, with chestnuts and hazelnuts, accompanied by wild boar, roe deer, owls and foxes, and forests containing ancient monasteries and dolmens that are still preserved today.

Among the sustainable and authentically rural tourism activities you can enjoy in this territory are walking tours, bicycle routes and outdoor activities; such as the Dantzaleku Athletic Club in Alsasua, which provides a tour explaining how oaks were formed and made into whaling boats (Albaola); the Ancient Oak path in Etxarri Aranatz and the Irañeta path.
Another stop is San Miguel in Excelsis, which is a sanctuary built in the Sierra de Aralar, next to the top of Mount Artxueta, from where you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the Sakana Valley. The old sanctuary has a strong religious significance in Navarre. The image of San Miguel is seen in many towns in the province, covered in silver and carried by his Brotherhood. However, these walls also enclose another magnificent jewel from the 12th century, a precious enamelled altarpiece with 37 religious scenes, considered one of the best works of European enamelling.
You should definitely mix with its people and absorb the authentic culture that comes to us from our ancestors through the megaliths, the architecture of the towns, the festivals and carnivals, rural sports, music and dance, or simply soak up the oldest language in Europe: Basque.

Get to know, experience and enjoy a timeless environment full of nature and the most authentic culture in the territory.

Allow yourself to be taken in by the peace and tranquillity of this spectacular, unique environment, enjoying each hidden place within the stillness of nature.