Irurtzun: Trails, Cliffs and Culture

The Artadia PR NA-131 trail passes through a native downy oak forest (Quercus humilis) and offers views of the cliffs and local birdlife. It can also be traversed on horseback or by mountain bike.

Trails

Artadia begins in the upper part of Irurtzun at the former Plazaola railway station. The Balcón de los Buitres PR NA-132 trail begins on the site of the former Plazaola railway station in Irurtzun. The signposted variant of the GR-21 leads to the Trinidad de Erga Chapel; it begins at the same starting point as the Balcón de los Buitres and Artadia trails.

The different means of transport help compare hiking, horseback riding, cycling and pilgrimage routes.

Nature

The Balcón de los Buitres viewpoint offers views of the Araquil River basin, Dos Hermanas, colonies of griffon vultures, cliff-dwelling birds and native oak forests. The rocky areas near Irurtzun are home to a significant colony of griffon vultures.

The Biaizpe gorge is an impressive passage cut through limestone by the Larraun River.

Water and Cycling

The section of the Larraun River running through Irurtzun is classified as a trout fishing area; trout fishing is permitted there. The 45-kilometre Camino de Sakana runs from Irurtzun to Ziordia. Its current section is signposted and has accommodation, catering and arrival or onward-travel services.

Accessibility measures for people with disabilities have been implemented across a total of 12 kilometres of the Plazaola Greenway in the towns of Lekunberri, Irurtzun, Latasa and Leitza. The third stage of the Plazaola Greenway runs for 13.9 kilometres from Lekunberri station to Irurtzun.

The different route lengths and trail types help compare the pilgrimage connection, cycling stage and nature trails.

Other Places

Alsasua, Riezu, Roncal, Cirauqui, Salinas De Oro, Arizala, Zizur Mayor and Lesaka

When comparing holiday apartment offers in Irurtzun, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages. These three fields provide a practical framework alongside the area's landscapes, trails, cultural sites and traditions.

Culture

The Church of San Martín in Irurtzun was built in the final decade of the 19th century by the architect Ansoleaga. Since 1935, it has housed a Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary from the Trinidad de Erga Chapel.

Irurtzun's cultural centre is located in a former medieval parish church in the Romanesque style with a transition to Gothic. It preserves an Early Gothic stone portal from the first half of the 13th century.

The old bridge over the Larraun River is a bridge made of ashlar blocks with four round arches in different styles.

The traditional custom of having almuerzo continues to be observed in Irurtzun. Since 1992, Irurtzun has celebrated the Santa Agueda festival on 4 February, the eve of the feast day.

The Camino de Sakana is connected to an older pilgrimage route that was used from the 9th to the 11th century. Residents of Irurtzun set out on foot with crosses to venerate an image of the Trinity. During Masses, this image is the focal point; it is a copy of the original 14th-century Gothic image kept in the parish church.

For the higher-level travel overview: Navarre.