Huarte: Holiday Apartments between the Camino, River Paths and Art

The Camino de Santiago passes through Huarte along the former Roman road between Bordeaux and Astorga, via Roncesvalles. Lau Uharteak adds a six-stage route that can be completed on foot or by bicycle along the GR-65 and the European E3.

River Landscape and Paths

Walking paths along the Arga River open up Huarte’s riverside landscape. Between agricultural land and industrial areas, the riverside vegetation has preserved much of the native flora. The history of the river includes the Presa de Atondoa, whose origins date back to the 10th century. Its water feeds canals that have long irrigated Huarte’s vegetable gardens.

The restored hydraulic complex of the Presa de Dorraburu houses the information and environmental education centre of the Parque Fluvial. It features exhibitions, workshops and guided tours. A route through the Parque Fluvial runs from the Molino de San Andrés to the Puente de Irotz. A signposted path allows pilgrims to reach Huarte, rest there and then continue on towards the Trinidad de Arre. Different types of paths and routes make it possible to compare excursions by focus and time frame.

History and Sacred Sites

The medieval Puente de Dorraburu is now reserved exclusively for pedestrians. The medieval Puente de Artadiburua has three round arches. The Church of San Juan Evangelista houses a sculpture of the Virgen Blanca, which was brought from Paris in 1349. The church itself has medieval origins.

Art and Public Culture

The Centro Huarte is a centre for research and experimental work in the field of contemporary art in Huarte. Its public programme includes exhibitions, educational and training projects, as well as artist residencies. Art can also be discovered in the urban space along several routes where Huarte’s murals can be viewed.

The Cantamañanas International Urban Art Festival is an annual muralism festival featuring local and international artists. The Casa de Cultura Huarte has a theatre with 120 seats and offers a permanent programme of performing arts, cinema, exhibitions, reading activities, talks, workshops and courses. It also belongs to the Red de Teatros de Navarra, which regularly promotes professional and diverse performing-arts programmes in municipal indoor venues.

Festivals and Local Traditions

The Fiestas de la Hermandad are Huarte’s patron-saint festivities in honour of the Virgen Blanca and usually last nine days. They preserve a tradition dating back to historic cattle markets in Huarte. Annual events also include the Hogueras de San Juan, with a large bonfire in the Ugarrandia car park and musical entertainment.

The 3Dance Festival was initiated in 2016 by the municipalities of Huarte-Uharte, Valle de Egües-Eguesibar and Villava-Atarrabia. It combines a choreographic competition for young dancers with performances by professional dance companies in the respective towns. Huarte currently also organises the Navarra Circus Festival together with Alsasua, Tudela, San Adrián and Viana.

The town’s butchers preserve a culinary speciality: they continue to prepare Relleno, a traditional egg-based speciality, using traditional and artisanal methods.

Geographical Setting

Huarte is located on the N-135 national road, which runs from Pamplona via Valcarlos towards France. For another cultural activity, the Palacio de Hielo Huarte offers public ice skating, skating lessons, hockey and figure skating for all age groups.

Other Places

Also Sangüesa, Erro, Ardaitz, Enériz, Irurozqui, Esnoz, Los Arcos and Marcilla are among the further options on this Navarra page.

For the higher-level travel overview: Navarra.