Cárcar: Gypsum Cliffs, the Ega River and Historic Churches

At the gypsum cliffs of Cárcar, the Ega River has eroded the area's original gypsum deposits over the course of centuries. The cliffs provide refuge for numerous birds; among others, griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures and short-toed snake eagles can be observed there and in their immediate surroundings.

Culture

The Parroquia de San Miguel de Cárcar was built in the second third of the 16th century in the Gothic-Renaissance style. Its main altarpiece was created at the beginning of the 18th century in the Baroque style and is considered one of the finest examples of Churrigueresque in Navarre. The church also has a Rococo choir stall and a Rococo organ from the second half of the 18th century. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Gracia is an 18th-century Baroque building with a Latin-cross floor plan, a wide transept and a central semi-dome. It houses an 18th-century Rococo altarpiece and a Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary from the 14th century. In Cárcar's town centre, houses decorated with coats of arms dating from the 18th century and Baroque buildings have been preserved.

Nature

The Ega River crosses the municipality of Cárcar from north to south and runs alongside the town centre; riverside vegetation grows along its banks. Cárcar shares the Área de Protección de la Fauna Silvestre Baigorrana with Lerín. The protected area is designated as a Site of Community Importance, or LIC; a project to protect steppe birds is being carried out there, and great bustards are also found there.

Trails

The signposted Itinerario Fluvial has two variants, measuring 12.1 kilometres and 10.25 kilometres. The route runs along the banks of the Ega River and through irrigated farmland, leading to the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Gracia. The signposted Itinerario Urbano partly runs through undeveloped land above Cárcar's town centre. The El Raso circular route follows the gypsum cliffs above the Ega River, reaches an area inhabited by great bustards and, on the return, passes through extensive grain fields and orchards; it has only gentle inclines and is considered not difficult. A circular route signposted as a local walking trail leads back to Cárcar over approximately 9 kilometres; it begins behind the cemetery and follows the course of the Cañada Real. The different route lengths and itineraries can be compared when planning your day.

Other places include Legarda, Gartzain, Eraul, Corella, Ollo, Eslava, Gorraiz and Orkoien.

Festivals and Customs

The Fiestas en Honor de Santa Cruz last nine days during the week that includes 14 September and feature bull runs with young bulls, open-air dance events, fancy dress and communal meals. Traditionally, the pilgrimage to the Virgen de Gracia takes place around Pentecost; in good weather, people eat together in the area in front of the hermitage. On 25 July, Cárcar observes the Santiago tradition of “corre la rosca”, in which children try to catch a runner carrying a “rosca”. During Holy Week, the procession of “El Encuentro” takes place. The brotherhoods of Cristo de la Flagelación and La Dolorosa take part, accompanied by the drummers' brotherhood.

Getting there: From Pamplona, San Sebastián and France, you can reach Cárcar via the Pamplona–Logroño motorway, exit 40, and then along the NA-122 road.

For the higher-level travel overview: Navarre.