Arantza: Forest Landscape, Trails and History

Nature and Landscape

The nature surrounding Arantza is particularly striking: on the border between Arantza and Igantzi, near San Juan Xar, lies the only naturally occurring hornbeam forest on the Iberian Peninsula. Fifty-four percent of Arantza's area is forested, mainly with beech trees, as well as oak, chestnut and planted pine; the remainder consists of fern-covered areas and green meadows.

Arantza can be reached via a narrow road that branches off the Pamplona–Irun road at Berrizaun, winds through an extensive forest area and ends in the town. When comparing holiday rentals in Arantza, you can check travel dates, room category and cancellation policies side by side on the respective offer pages and compare the information with your travel period and preferred booking conditions.

Hiking and Cycling

Seven signposted circular hiking trails start at the car park at the entrance to the town; five signposted cycling routes also start there as circular routes. The easy Arantza–San Juan Xar circular hike takes around 1.5 hours and leads from the town car park along the old path down to the Arrata River and onwards to San Juan Xar. It is marked with white-and-green trail markers and partly follows the former access route that was used until the present-day road was built in 1888. The area around San Juan Xar has been protected as a nature reserve since 1987.

The Arantza–Putzubeltza circular hike is approximately 10.5 kilometres long, takes about 3.5 hours, has around 400 metres of elevation gain, is fully signposted and leads to a waterfall. The Arantza–Azkilarrea circular hike passes through the Azkilarrea district and is considered an easy route for experiencing the surrounding landscape and nature. The Arantza–Mendaur hiking route is difficult, takes 6 to 7 hours, is 21 kilometres long and is only partially signposted. The BTT Ruta Azul is moderately difficult, has a challenging elevation profile and technically difficult sections; it is 95 percent rideable.

Culture and History

At the entrance to the municipality of Arantza stands the Aranibar tower house, a Gothic building from the 15th century. Apezenea House has a façade made of dressed stone blocks dating from the early 16th century. Arantza Town Hall is an 18th-century building featuring the old coat of arms of Bortziriak, or Cinco Villas, and a porch with four arches on the lower level.

Arantza is home to dolmens and cromlechs in an archaeological landscape containing the first human remains, dating back approximately 4,000 years. In the Middle Ages, Arantza's first ironworks were built outside the town centre and beside the river. In addition to ironworking, charcoal burning became increasingly important.

Other places: Aibar, Oláibar, Ezcároz, Izalzu, Espinal, Iturmendi, Falces and Huarte.

Local Life and Orientation

At the Día del caserío, also known as Día del baserritarra, on 1 November, visitors can view, taste and buy products from Arantza's farmsteads. A 32-page full-colour guide provides information about Arantza's annual agenda, a municipal map, services, a tour of the town centre, various routes through the municipality and a themed trail.

For the overarching travel overview: Navarra.