Acedo between the Vía Verde and holm oak forest

In the centre of Acedo stands the 16th-century late Gothic church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Inside, there are Baroque altarpieces dedicated to San Sebastián and San Juan Bautista, created by Agustín de Arza in the 17th century, as well as an altarpiece of the Virgen del Rosario dating from 1750.

Culture and history

In the Acedo district of the municipality of Mendaza in Navarre lies Cueva de Las Orcillas 1, a cave associated with the last hunter-gatherers of the Epipalaeolithic. Around 9,500 years ago, it served hunters as a camp and refuge; later, around 5,000 years ago during the Chalcolithic, it was used as a burial cave.

The Palacio Cabo de Armería de Acedo is a 16th-century building with two stone-built sections and an attic made of brickwork. As it is privately owned, only the exterior of the palace can be visited. A cinema from the first half of the 20th century has also been preserved in Acedo, largely retaining its original appearance.

Two kilometres from the town centre, the medieval Puente del Molino Nuevo spans the River Ega. The former festival calendar included celebrations in honour of the Virgen de Agosto, with a mass, a procession accompanied by musicians and dancing. On San Roque's Day, there was a morning procession through the streets followed by dancing; a fourth day of festivities was organised by the young men of the village.

Other former customs also shaped the year: In December, young men went from house to house asking for contributions towards a shared meal for San Nicolás; during Carnival, they dressed up as Zamarreros. These traditions were joined by the blessing of animals on San Antón and pastries for San Blas. Cultural days were held repeatedly during the Christmas holidays; at an event on Friday, 3 January, a theatre group from Mendigorría performed first, followed by the choir of the Berrueza Valley.

Nature and forest

The River Ega passes by Acedo. The „Acedo: Encinares, ríos y vías verdes“ route passes through a mature, dense holm oak forest and riverside vegetation along the Ega. It is 6.5 kilometres long, returns to the washhouse and then ends near the church.

La Casa del Bosque is a centre for learning about, caring for and appreciating the holm oak forest in the cultural area of Acedo. Written material, photographs, illustrations and audiovisual content convey the importance of flora and fauna over time.

Its facilities include three information panels about the past, present and future of the forest, a special reference to the Encina de las Tres Patas, a children's corner beneath the shade of a real holm oak, two botanical murals, a dream box, a handmade guestbook, a herbarium, and samples of herbs and products. The texts are written in Euskera and Castilian Spanish.

Dérula is a collaborative community space and a connection point between La Casa del Bosque and Acedo's natural surroundings. Viewpoints have been established there at prominent features of the terrain, along with signposted paths leading up the mountain. Along the path between Dérula and La Casa del Bosque are sculptural constructions, artistic elements made from natural materials and restored dry-stone walls.

Vía Verde and other routes

Acedo lies on the 29-kilometre-long, fully restored and signposted section of the Vía Verde del Ferrocarril Vasco-Navarro between Estella-Lizarra and Zúñiga. The section in Acedo passes the former station and goods platform before continuing to a tunnel more than 1,400 metres long. Different route lengths and landscapes help you organise your daily plans, from a short loop to a longer stretch.

On the Camino Natural Vía Verde Vasco-Navarro, next to the restored municipal washhouse, there is a picnic area with a fountain and tables. From there, the path crosses a small bridge back onto the former railway line. Hípica Acedo rents out horses for rides and excursions.

From Acedo, nature routes lead to the Sierra de Lóquiz, the Sierra de Codés and the Valle de Lana. The „Travesía Berrueza–Acedo–Mendaza–Ancín“ route starts at Acedo's campsite.

Discover more places

Azkarate, Noáin, Mélida, Lumbier, Betelu, Rada, Izalzu, Ardaitz

To the main travel overview: Navarre.