Azarrulla – Holiday Apartments, Hiking Trails and Village Culture

From Azárrulla, the “Por las márgenes del Oja” route follows historic farm and livestock tracks between Azárrulla, Altuzarra and Posadas. It then continues along the Cañada Real del Oja and returns to Posadas via the old road. This marks the beginning of exploration around Azarrulla with a route that brings together historic paths and connections between several villages.

Culture

The Las Candelas church is located in the centre of Azarrulla. The Parroquia de la Candelaria was built in 1831 and is a single-nave religious building made of ashlar and rubble masonry, with a small bell gable. The Parroquia de la Candelaria is also included in La Rioja’s general heritage inventory.

On 2 February, the feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria is celebrated in Azarrulla with a Mass. The San Antonio festival takes place on 13 June or on the nearest Saturday and includes a Mass and a procession between Azarrulla and San Antón. The direction of the procession changes each year; the saint remains at the destination until the following year. On 28 August, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in Azarrulla.

The former ironworks of Azarrulla are also part of the village’s history: they had a long tradition in the 19th century and were later used as a hydroelectric power station.

Hiking Trails

Two circular routes are available for different distances. The Azárrulla–Prado Martín–Horquillo–Obícolla–Barranco Ortaura–Azárrulla circular route is 11 km long. The second circular route leads from Azárrulla via Prado Martín, Horquillo, Collado Cobelasa, Oricha Posadas and the Camino de la Herradura back to Azárrulla and is 15 km long.

The Ruta del Cementerio de Azarrulla is a 9.59 km circular mountain hiking trail with an elevation difference of 673 m. It starts at the old cemetery of Azárrulla, which has historical and ethnographic value. The different route lengths and the stated elevation difference help you compare the routes according to the desired scale.

Nature

The Senda de los Siete Puentes route leads through a beech forest rich in moss and ferns and crosses the stream over seven wooden bridges. The Solana del Usaya route combines several distinctly different landscapes: it contrasts a dry, deforested sunny slope with damp beech forest and the vegetation of the gorge crossed by the waters of the Usaya.

Solana del Usaya also leads to an old mine entrance and a spoil heap. Entering the mine is expressly discouraged because of the danger. Incorporated into its course is a path formerly used to transport ore from the mines of Ortaura.

Getting There

The Solana del Usaya route begins in the village of Azárrulla on the road to the hamlets of LR-415. At the end of the village, there is a car park on the left where the walk begins. Azarrulla can be reached from Ezcaray via the road to the hamlets. After the turn-offs for Urdanta and Zaldierna, turn left at the junction for Azárrulla.

Accommodation

When choosing a holiday apartment in Azarrulla, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective listing page.

Other Places

Villamediana de Iregua, Sorzano, Fuenmayor, El Cortijo, Arrúbal, Alesanco, Ausejo, Pradillo

To the higher-level travel overview: La Rioja.