Sunbilla walks

Starting from the small village of Sunbilla in the Bidassoa valley south of Vera, this is a pretty, technically easy circular on beautiful tracks except for one short section. There is a small campsite on the heights above the village.

A superb route leading to the area’s most famous peak, with stunning views all along the way.

The pretty village of Arantza lies at the foot of a cirque of medium-height mountains, rising to over 1,000 metres in altitude, which you can walk around along the ridges, enjoying magnificent views. Domizko Gaïna (1,038 m), Ekaïtza (1,048 m) and Mendieder (1,071 m) are the main peaks offering magnificent views of the Mendaur (1,131 m). It’s a lovely walk.

There are numerous waterfalls around the village of Arantza, though some are difficult to reach. The most famous and easiest to access is the Putzubeltz waterfall. The Arantza local council has also created a lovely, fairly easy path leading to it. You start by walking across meadows, then quickly find yourself in the middle of the forest, with the only sound being the trickling of small streams.

Mendaur rises to an altitude of 1,130 metres. It is an iconic peak with its chapel built in 1692 and restored in 1963. This is essentially a round trip hike following the ridge line to the south-east of the Navarrese village of Arantza and climbing the nearby Mendieder.

A very lovely walk in the heart of nature, with only the sounds of wildlife. For almost the entire route, there are impressive views of the surrounding peaks, including Mendaur, the Trois Couronnes, La Rhune, etc.

A very beautiful walk starting from Arantza, a small town in the Autonomous Community of Northern Navarre, which geographically belongs to the Bidasoa basin. After setting off, you’ll walk along a track, then along narrow paths, and for a long stretch along a ridge where you’ll be able to climb four or five peaks in turn, including Apaola. Depending on the season, you may come across animals such as horses, cows, sheep and goats. You’ll also find several prehistoric sites.

A lovely walk to discover numerous waterfalls, the most famous of which is Putzubeltz. The path, which often runs through the forest, follows several rivers, and you’re constantly accompanied by the sound of running water. However, part of the route follows a very narrow path along the mountainside, which may be daunting for those with a fear of heights. Furthermore, you’ll have to wade across numerous rivers, which can be difficult after periods of rain.

A beautiful walk in the undergrowth that still allows you to discover the surrounding peaks.

A Roman road, a summit offering 360-degree views, wooden vultures, a superb cave, miraculous waters, all in a forest offering a fabulous setting: follow the guide!

This route is known as SL-NA-001 San Juan Xar. It runs between the villages of Igantzi and Arantza and passes by the site dedicated to San Juan Xar, from whom it takes its name.

Lake Arritzulegi is better known as Lake Mendaur, as it lies at the foot of this peak. It is actually a dam lake. Located at an altitude of 700 m in a very pretty setting, it makes for a beautiful hiking destination. However, I would describe this hike as difficult, partly because of the elevation gain and partly because some of the paths that still appear on maps have disappeared. This means that part of the hike is off-trail and without many landmarks. You therefore need to have a good sense of direction and be used to walking off-trail. This hike is therefore only suitable for experienced walkers.The Visorando app is recommended.

A round-trip walk through the nature park along forest paths. Particularly splendid in autumn.

The name Iturburua translates from Basque as ‘the Spring’; it appears in numerous publications and is signposted on the ground. The route passes by a waterfall and runs alongside the remains of a charcoal kiln and shepherds’ huts.

A magnificent hike through a typical Navarrese forest leads to the summit of Mendaur, with its breathtaking 360° views.A visit to the Ermita de la Trinidad (ermitage) is a must!