Discover Azkarate: Balerdi, San Esteban and San Fermín

Azkarate is closely associated with Balerdi: Azcárate is one of the starting points for ascents of Balerdi and the place located closest to Balerdi.

Nature

Despite its lower elevation, Balerdi is possibly considered the most distinctive peak in Aralar because it has an unmistakable profile. The route “Vuelta 360º al Balerdi desde Azkarate (Araitz)” begins in Azkarate. After passing through other villages in the Araitz Valley, the GR® 20 reaches Azcárate, arriving below the church of San Esteban and following the NA-7512. From the village of Azcárate, the GR® 20 continues to the Urdille Pass.

The various details about the starting point, arrival point and continuation make it possible to compare the routes mentioned according to their respective direction and function. The ascent of Balerdi thus remains identifiable as a separate topic alongside the GR® 20’s pass destination.

Culture

Azcárate is home to the church of San Esteban and the hermitage of San Fermín. The parish church of San Esteban is built of stone and has a single-nave layout with a lunette vault. Its entrance has a pointed-arch portal with stone archivolts, while the bell tower consists of two square levels and a final octagonal level.

The hermitage of San Fermín was built in 1586. A Romanist-style sculpture for the hermitage was carved in 1599 by the sculptor Juan de Moret. The precise descriptions of the spatial layout, portal and tower structure invite an equally precise consideration, as do the details about the year of construction and the artist.

The two religious buildings therefore offer different historical points of reference: San Esteban can be considered through its nave, vault, portal and tower, while San Fermín is associated with its year of construction and the sculpture and its sculptor. Architecture, period of construction and artistic work thus remain legible as distinct details, without equating the buildings or their histories.

History and festivals

The carnival in Azcárate is classified as intangible cultural heritage. A Cabo de Armería palace in Azcárate belonged to Matías Azcárate, a royal councillor and president of the Chancery of Valladolid. Local festivities take place in Azcárate on 7 July; the festivities include a pilgrimage to the hermitage of San Fermín.

A fixed date in July, the pilgrimage and the classification of the carnival open up different cultural perspectives on the place.

Local flavour

Cheese is produced in Aralar. Cheesemaking stands as a distinct food-related feature alongside the buildings, route topics and festival traditions.

Holiday apartment in Azkarate

When choosing a holiday apartment in Azkarate, the booking pages allow you to consider travel dates, accommodation or room category, and cancellation conditions separately. This keeps the practical details distinct from the themes of nature, architecture, history and festival traditions.

Other places

Arrarats, Acedo, Noáin, El Busto, Arce, Burgui, Lumbier, Zizur Mayor

For the overarching travel overview: Navarra.