Bike routes in the Irati forest: pure nature

Irati: the cycling heart of the Navarrese Pyrenees

Imagine pedalling in the midst of a forest so large that it seems to have no end, a cool Pyrenean breeze on your face and the crunch of gravel and leaves under your wheels. That’s what it feels like when you cycle through the Irati forest, one of the largest beech-fir forests in Europe. It’s a unique destination for cyclists in search of nature, adventure and authenticity.

Located deep in the Navarrese Pyrenees, between the Aezkoa and Salazar valleys, the Irati forest is a sea of trees that changes with each season: rich green in spring, cool refuge in summer, a spectacle of yellow, red, ochre and gold in autumn, and a picture-postcard snowscape in winter. 

The terrain is perfect for gravel or mountain bike routes, with forest tracks that allow you to ride comfortably and more technical stretches for those looking for a bit of a challenge.

To cycle here is to connect with the purest essence of nature. Whether travelling as a couple, as a family, in a group or alone, you’ll live a different experience on each route and enjoy lush landscapes and places full of history at every stop. 

An age-old beech forest to explore

The Irati forest covers some 20,000 hectares, the vast majority of which are in Navarre, in the Aezkoa and Salazar valleys. It’s one of the biggest and best-conserved beech forests in Europe, ancient woodland that has survived the passage of time and where nature continues to set the pace. 

Home to imposing beech trees and giant firs, the density of the forest creates a cool, humid microclimate, perfect for those seeking pleasant cycling routes even in summer, while in autumn the forest is ablaze with yellow, ochre and reddish hues that turn every ride into a visual spectacle.

Cycling through the Irati forest means: entering trails that cross upland meadows; maybe spotting red deer, roe deer or birds of prey; discovering a beautiful reservoir in the heart of the forest; admiring the staircase form of the El Cubo waterfall and following the paths that ancient smugglers and charcoal burners once trod. 

Its centuries-old trees have witnessed generations of shepherds who still practise transhumance, moving their flocks from one grazing ground to another in a seasonal cycle. Cycling beneath the forest’s canopy is like gliding through a landscape that has barely changed in centuries. 

Your two-wheeled adventure: routes for every style

The Irati MTB centre winds its way throughout the Irati Forest and offers more than 400 km of biking along its 16 signposted and georeferenced mountain bike trails. 

Here are a few routes to explore the Irati forest by bike and enjoy some of its most appealing spots. 

• Irabia reservoir route 

Ideal for those looking to pedal without too much effort. This is a simple circular route which follows wide tracks with good surfaces. There’s only one more demanding stretch: the slope just after the dam and the subsequent descent from El Almorzadero. The route skirts the reservoir, completely surrounded by lush beech-fir woodland. Another option is a very easy, straight route starting at Casas de Irati. The perfect choice for those who want a round-trip that starts and ends at the dam, it’s 20.2 km long and has 535 m of elevation gain in all. With an electric bike, available from local companies, you can ride around the reservoir and enjoy spectacular views with the peace of mind of relying on electric assistance for the climbs.

• Irati circular route from Ochagavía via the Irabia reservoir 

This is one of the best-known routes. It starts in the picturesque village of Ochagavía and heads into the forest all the way to the Irabia reservoir. The route consists of gravel paths ideal for gravel and mountain biking, with the possibility of extending it up to Abodi.

• Errekaidorra interpretive trail 

This path leads to the El Cubo waterfall and takes in places of interest where you can discover the industrial uses to which the forest was once put. It’s a circular route that switches between track and trail. About 10 kilometres long, it can be considered relatively easy (although a few decent slopes raise the degree of difficulty from easy to moderate).

• Route to discover the villages around the Irati forest by road

If what you’re most passionate about is road cycling, challenging yourself to climb a few mountain passes and stopping off in the small picture-postcard villages along the way to get your strength back and drink from their drinking fountains, then this is the route for you. 

Plan your cycling getaway to the Irati forest

Planning your getaway and the cycling routes you want to take properly is key to enjoying the experience to the fullest. Deciding your starting point, booking your bike in advance (if you don't take your own) and finding out about the routes and the services available in the area will allow you to pedal with peace of mind and focus on the most important thing: enjoying your hobby in a landscape that’s like something taken straight from the movies.

Best time of the year, services and essential equipment

The Irati forest is a cycling destination you can enjoy any time of the year: 

• in spring: if what you like is cycling in green landscapes with mild temperatures.
• in summer: if you’re looking for a holiday in nature and getting away from the heat.
• in autumn: a highly recommended time to enjoy the wonderful colours of autumn, one of the most impressive natural spectacles in Navarre. By the way! Irati Xtrem, a non-competitive ride around the Irati forest, is usually held at the beginning of autumn. 
• in winter: if you like riding when there are few people on the road, feeling the cool mountain mist on your face, the wind finding gaps between the trees of the forest, and then warm up with some typical local cuisine, wintertime is ideal for you!

To make the most of the experience, take note of the following suggestions:

Services to plan your visit: 

• Irati forest guided bike tours & bicycle rental
  • Guided e-bike tours through the Irati forest
  • Guided e-bike tours 
  • Irati Active 
• Bike-friendly accommodation: Rural B&Bs and hotels in the area offer bike storage, bike rentals, repair tools and menus designed for cyclists. Accommodation specialised in cycling tourism located in the Irati forest area includes:
  • Hostal Rural Mendilatz. Recognised as an MTB Reception Centre by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the establishment offers cyclists everything they need: a safe space to store bikes, workshop and washing area, downloadable GPS tracks and a team that offers guides and advice on possible routes.
  • Casa Rural Enekoizar. Guided e-bike tours and bike rentals available.
  • Hostal Rural Iratiko Urkixokoa. Offering bike storage and help preparing your route. 
  • Irati Barnean. Unique accommodation in wooden cabins in the form of igloos that also rents out e-bikes to tour the Irati forest. 
  • Hotel Puerta de Irati. Bike repair station available.

The local campsites are another good option and the starting point for many bike routes:

• Camping Osate (Ochagavía). At the gateway to the Irati forest, you’ll find an ideal campsite for cyclists: pitches for motorhomes, bungalows, fixed-pitch tents and original pods, with all the services you need for a comfortable stay. They even organise bike tour packages in the area. There’s also a bike repair area for campers to carry out minor repairs. 
• Camping Urrobi (Aurizberri/Espinal, Aezkoa valley). Located just 20 minutes from the Irati forest, this is a perfect place to explore the paths and tracks that run through the woodland.
• Camping Murkuzuria (Esparza, Salazar valley). At the entrance to the valley and the gateway to the forest, with pitches with electric hook-up points, leisure spaces and swimming pools.  

And if you enjoy visiting the Irati forest on two wheels and want to continue getting to know Navarre by bike, you’ll be interested to know that there’s a lot more accommodation suitable for cycling tourists, as well as MTB spaces and 17 campsites that offer optimal services for those travelling by bike. These have signposted routes that start at the campsites themselves and areas for washing and repairing bikes.
So you can plan your trip and get around on your own, check out this list of companies that rent out bikes in different parts of Navarre.

Now you have all the info, you know what to do: get your bike ready (or book one), grab your helmet, prepare your backpack and set off to discover the Irati forest. Nature awaits you in all its glory!