The Urbasa – Andía and Aralar Natural Parks, very close to the Valcarce Urbasa Hotel

The Urbasa – Andía Natural Park

The Urbasa – Andía Natural Park has 21408 ha, divided in 4 areas: Sierra de Urbasa, Sierra de Andía, Monte Limitaciones de las Améscoas and Nacedero del Río Urederra Natural Reserve. Due to its extension and geological variety, it has a great biological, landscape, archaeological and sociocultural value in Spain.

The Urbasa – Andía Natural Park is unique for its beech forests and karst structure (massive calcareous terrains with erosion and groundwater), which allows the formation of caves.

Some activities to enjoy the Urbasa – Andía Natural Park:

• Visit the megalithic monuments, such as dolmens, tumulus and menhirs.
• Get to know Borda de Severino, a shepherd’s cabin where to learn first-hand about the sheepherding tradition of the area.
• Discover the reconstruction of a coal bunker.
• Enjoy its viewpoints: Balcón de Pilatos, in Nacedero del Urederra; the viewpoint of Lizarraga and the panoramic table next to the Urbasa Palace.
• Tour the Natural Park through hiking trails, such as Itinerario de las Fuentes, Ruta de los pastores, Camino de los montañeros…

In Urbasa you will find an information centre about the Urbasa – Andía Natural Park.

The Aralar Natural Park

The Aralar Natural Park (10971 ha) is formed by a large limestone plateau emerged 50 million years ago, pierced by chasms, caves and underground rivers.

Beech and pasture abound, which serve the cattle and cheese tradition of the area (Idiazabal cheese). Mining has been another traditional exploitation resource in the Aralar Natural Park area.

Some activities to do in the Aralar Natural Park:

• Hiking routes, horseback riding or MTB routes, for example heading to the natural viewpoint of the Sanctuary of San Miguel.
• See the megalithic monuments: dolmens, tumuli, monoliths, caves, stone circles…
• Discover the pastoral tradition of more than 50 shepherds with latxa
• Get to know a cheesery first-hand and taste the Idiazabal cheese.
• Go to a family run traditional cider cellar.
• Visit the Barandiaran Museum in Ataun.

The lovely town of Alsasua (Navarra, Spain)

Alsasua offers you a fairytale-like tour going back to the past through its megalithic monuments and hermitages, such as the Milagroso Cristo de Otadia hermitage. Then you can refill your energy tasting the Alsasua gastronomy, with local products: chistorras, cheese, morcilla, beef and horse meat.

To taste the flavours of this land in the most authentic way, nothing better than hanging out for some tapas and wines around the Alsasua local bars!

La Barranca – Sakana, a unique region in Navarra, Spain

El Corredor de la Barranca or Sakana is a region that includes the three valleys of Araquil, Ergoyena and Burunda, and 15 municipalities. It limits in the north by the Aralar mountain range and in the south by the Andía and Urbasa mountain ranges. The Araquil River crosses it from west to east.

Within La Barranca – Sakana you will find the Urbasa – Andía Natural Park, Sierra de Aralar, Sierra de Andía, Urbasa mountain range… Its main town is Alsasua, and then Irurzun, Echarri-Aranaz, Olazagutía (where the Valcarce Urbasa Hotel is located) and Lacunza.
The essence of La Barranca – Sakana: beautiful landscapes, Romanesque churches, great gastronomy, traditional festivals and hiking trails in its Urbasa – Andía and Aralar Natural Parks.

Pamplona, only 25 minutes from the Valcarce Urbasa Hotel

The Pamplona’s historical and monumental heritage and its several celebrations make it worth paying a visit, and it is also only 25 minutes from the Valcarce Urbasa Hotel.

One of the most remarkable festivities in Pamplona is Sanfermines, from July 6 to 14, whose worldwide fame is a recent phenomenon, also linked to the fact that Hemingway mentioned it in his novel Fiesta.

Vitoria, just 25 minutes from the Valcarce Urbasa Hotel

Vitoria is a beautiful city located only 25 minutes from the Valcarce Urbasa Hotel, in Olazagutía. It holds the Biosphere Responsible Tourism international certificate.

What to do in Vitoria?

• Discover the “Almendra Medieval” headquarter, one of the most emblematic historical headquarters in Euskadi, and the Santa María Cathedral (Gothic).
• Enjoy the “Anillo Verde” on foot or by bicycle. It is a round area around Vitoria with 6 large parks to enjoy nature very close to the city of Vitoria.
• Visit the Vitoria museums: Artium, Museum of Archaeology, Museum of Sacred Art, Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Natural Sciences, among others.
• Get a themed route through Vitoria.
• Go to a local winery of the Álava – Rioja area.
• Taste the gastronomy of Vitoria in some ruta del pintxo.