Discover Urdax: Monastery Museum, Mill, Caves and Trails

Hiking and Trails

The section of the Baztanés Way of Saint James from Urdazubi/Urdax to Amaiur/Maya is a 13.28 km linear hiking route of moderate difficulty with an elevation difference of 566 m. The Sendero de los contrabandistas, also known as the Sendero de las cuevas, is a 12 km circular route marked with painted horses that runs through meadows and forests. Another hiking route from Urdazubi via Axular, Berroberria and Argandoita back to Urdazubi begins in the village square and passes places around the birthplace of the Basque writer Pedro Dagerre Axular. The different route types—linear, circular and starting from the village square—provide an objective basis for comparing the distance, course and named stops.

Culture and History

The Monastery Museum in Urdazubi/Urdax uses audiovisual elements and exhibition panels to convey the history of the area and its connection with the Way of Saint James. The preserved church and cloister of the former monastery, together with other parts of the building, form the Monastery Museum and an art exhibition. Visitors can see the mill in Urdazubi/Urdax in operation, as the water drives its large millstones and produces wheat and corn flour. The mill in Urdazubi/Urdax was rebuilt after repeated looting and fires in the 18th century. The mill visit also includes a former power station that supplied Urdazubi/Urdax and Ainhoa with electricity from 1901 until the 1960s. The streets of Urdazubi/Urdax are lined with houses bearing heraldic decorations, built by emigrants who had returned from America after becoming wealthy there in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Nature and Townscape

During guided tours of the Ikaburu Caves, adapted lighting is used to highlight the formations and explain the history of the cave. The Urdazubi/Urdax Caves in the Leorlas district can be reached via a paved road leading to the entrance; there is a car park nearby. Several medieval stone bridges cross the Ugarana River, which flows through Urdazubi/Urdax. The guided cave tour, the trails and the historic buildings each establish clearly distinguishable focal points for planning an individual day. The town tour is likewise divided into different forms: in the caves, the guided explanation is central, while at the bridges and in the town centre, the focus is on the relationship between the river, buildings and houses. This keeps the underground tour, historic crossings and streetscape distinguishable as separate areas.

When comparing holiday apartments in Urdax, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can help organise the information on the offer pages clearly. These three fields stand alongside the different themes of the area and form a separate framework for making a choice, without mixing up the trails, buildings and caves described.

Other Places

Castejón, Goñi, Zizur Mayor, Ayechu, Aspurz, Mués, Igantzi, Urrizola-Galain

For the overarching travel overview: Navarra.