Discover Ayegui: holiday apartment, Irache Monastery and Montejurra

Ayegui is designated as kilometre 100 of the Way of Saint James from Roncesvalles. The official tourist route of the French Way of Saint James includes Irache Monastery in Ayegui. In the 11th century, García de Nájera founded a pilgrims’ hospital at Irache Monastery. Irache Monastery was declared a national monument in 1887. The pilgrims’ hostel in Ayegui is listed as having a capacity of 80 places.

Churches and monastic history

The temple of Santa María de Irache Monastery, built in the 12th century, has a Romanesque apse and a Cistercian structure. The hermitage of San Ciprián on Montejurra was built in the 14th century. The Church of San Martín is a Neoclassical building from the 18th century. The Church of San Martín contains a Romanist high altar from the late 16th century. The shelter attached to the hermitage of San Ciprián is open all year round.

Montejurra and trails

Montejurra is regarded as Ayegui’s natural landmark. From the summit of Montejurra, there are views of Tierra Estella, the Urbasa-Andía mountain ranges and the Lóquiz escarpment.

The “Subida a Montejurra desde Ayegui” hike begins near the Ardantze sports facilities and leads via the Mirador de Montejurra viewpoint and the Subida de las Cruces trail to the hermitage of San Ciprián. The “Senderos sagrados” MTB route descends from Montejurra back to Ayegui. The “El Norte de Montejurra” MTB route starts at the Ardantze sports facilities in Ayegui and leads back to Ayegui via trails around Montejurra. Different trail types and routes can be viewed separately.

Wine and local connections

Bodegas Irache was founded in 1891. Bodegas Irache offers a tour of its winery facilities followed by a wine tasting. Bodegas Irache also offers a wine experience in the vineyard next to the Way of Saint James, with aperitifs and a bottle to pair with them. The Bodegas Irache Wine Museum displays exhibits, offers wine tastings and sells bottles.

The Fuente del Vino has two separate outlets: one for water and one for wine. At the “Día del Peregrino” in Irache, the name “Caldo del monje” appears.

Sports and events

The Ardantze sports facilities in Ayegui include swimming pools and padel courts. On 19 March, the seventh edition of the Jurramendi Trail Montejurra took place in Ayegui; it was the first race of the Navarra Mountain Running Cup.

The themes can be clearly distinguished in Ayegui: the Way of Saint James, the monastery and the churches represent history and pilgrimage connections; Montejurra brings together named hiking and MTB routes; Bodegas Irache combines a winery tour, vineyard and museum; Ardantze complements these local connections with swimming pools and padel courts.

For a holiday apartment in Ayegui, travel dates, room type and cancellation conditions can structure the practical selection. In terms of content, the town’s Way of Saint James and monastic history stand alongside the trails on Montejurra, the wine offerings of Bodegas Irache and the Ardantze sports facilities. This keeps the accommodation decision and local interests separate for consideration.

More destinations

Other places for your travel planning include Undiano, Sunbilla, Villava, Pamplona, Arbizu, Urrizola-Galain, Beire and Mués.

For the higher-level travel overview: Navarra.