Discover Beintza-Labaien: Cultural Trails, Nature and Festivals

Beintza-Labaien combines brief insights into local history with trails through a varied landscape. Two cultural trails lead to the washhouses and springs; they are approximately 6 and 2.5 kilometres long, respectively. The different trail lengths offer two clearly distinct options for planning your day.

Trails

Along the cultural trails, information panels and accounts from eyewitnesses convey the community’s former everyday life, particularly women’s experiences. In this way, the trails connect the landscape with local memories and historical insights. The E.GR 11–GR 12 connecting trail is also known as Bidasoa-Trekking. On the descent, it first leads to Labaien and then to Beintza. The trail network therefore includes both independent cultural trails and a connection between the two neighbourhoods and the continuation of the trail.

Cycling

The municipality can also be explored by bicycle via various route connections. Within the municipality of Beintza-Labaien, the EuroVelo 1 route (Ederbidea) includes a 6-kilometre section. The Ederbidea cycle path between Bera and Irurtzun also includes upgraded sections within the municipality; this work was carried out in 2019 and 2020. The route section known by its regional designation can therefore be distinguished from the upgraded sections along the route between Bera and Irurtzun.

Nature

The Embalses de Leurtza are designated as an Área Natural Recreativa (ANR-2) and are located within the municipalities of Urrotz and Beintza-Labaien. In addition to the reservoirs, the area includes meadows, beech forests on the slopes and open areas on the summits. This brings several landscape elements together in one natural area: bodies of water, wooded slopes and open areas at higher elevations. From Urroz, the Embalses de Leurtza can be reached via a 5-kilometre paved rural road.

Culture

Between the neighbourhoods of Beintza and Labaien stands the Crucero, a 16th-century cross opposite the local mill. According to local legend, the Crucero was erected in 1599 following conflicts in order to establish peace between the two neighbourhoods. Beintza is also home to the Church of San Pedro. It is designed largely in the Gothic-Renaissance style and contains an 18th-century Baroque altarpiece. Local history is thus reflected both in a tradition shared between the neighbourhoods and in a church building featuring different historical styles.

Festivals

The patron saint festivities in Beintza-Labaien begin on the first weekend of August and end on Tuesday. The festivities include demonstrations of Basque rural sports and axe-throwing competitions. The autumn festival in Beintza-Labaien takes place in October on a variable date; it usually involves roasting a calf or a whole pig for a communal meal. The two festivals therefore differ both in their timing and in the stated elements of the celebrations.

Other places

Ayegui, Irurozqui, San Martín De Améscoa, Uztegi, Estella, Olazagutía, Zuaztoi and Navascués

For the higher-level travel overview: Navarra.