Navarre by bike

From Gipuzkoa, the EuroVelo 1 enters Navarre via the Bidasoa Rail Trail. From Endarlatsa, passing through Bera, to Doneztebe/Sanesteban, this disused former railway crosses magnificent open green landscapes dotted with hamlets, picturesque tunnels, typical villages, and even the odd forgotten bunker. An easy, pleasant, and practically flat route.
 

In the Malerreka Valley, flanked by various mountains such as the Mendaur, sits the elegant town of Doneztebe/Santesteban, the starting point for the route towards the Basaburua Valley, where one of the Plazaola Rail Trail stretches finishes.

(pending conditioning and sign posting from Sarasa to Pamplona). The route passes through the town of Iza, leaving behind Añezcar before reaching Pamplona.

(Stage pending sign posting). From Pamplona, this route follows the Way of St James to Estella-Lizarra, also coinciding with the EuroVelo 3. This itinerary is packed with single-street villages, medieval bridges, large monuments, landscapes that change colour with every season, wine cellars and top-quality gastronomy.

(Stage pending sign posting). These are the final kilometres in the Navarrese territory before entering Rioja lands. Shortly after leaving Estella-Lizarra is the Iratxe Monastery. Further along, past the rocky castle of Villamayor de Monjardín, the route reaches Los Arcos, Torres del Río and finally Viana, which peacefully faces the horizon towards Alava and La Rioja from its place up on a hill.

What better way of getting to know the major attractions in Navarre such as the Olite Castle, Ujué, San Martín de Unx or the town of Puente la Reina, than on your bike.

This is possible thanks to the 46 mountain bike routes in the region, which are perfectly sign-posted and cater for all levels. One of them - the perimeter route - covers the entire Central Zone, joining the towns participating in the project over 7 stages.

You will be spoilt for choice.

With over 2,200 kilometres of routes, this is one of the largest mountain bike spaces in mainland Spain. As such, it offers something for all levels: Amateurs, families and experienced cyclists alike.

You can enjoy the great diversity of the Navarrese landscapes along the way, passing through the Urbasa-Andía Natural Park, the Cañadas Reales, the Way of St James or the Basque-Navarrese Railroad Rail Trail.

The space has 7 welcome centres with different services: shower facilities, small workshops and bike repair kits, or information about the mountain bike space and routes available.

If you like mountain biking, Tierra Estella-Lizarraldea is sure to exceed all your expectations.

Experience the utmost freedom in this privileged setting. This space offers 16 mountain bike trails, with something for all levels.

This mountain bike initiative is part of a project that joins the valleys across which the Irati Forest lies: Salazar and Aezkoa in the Navarrese part, and Zuberoa and Cize in the French part. But what do mountain bikes know about borders? Their only objective is to ride, and the more places, the better.

So, enjoy the over 400 kilometres of cycle routes to truly get to know Irati and its surrounds.

Remember that you can always give your bike a quick service at one of the welcome centres, rent a bike if you need one, and get all the information about the place. They are:

• Centro de montaña Irati-Abodi and Casas de Irati in the Salazar Valley

• Arrazola, in the Aezkoa Valley

• Chalets d'Iraty on the French side.

Another pretty woodland circuit can be found in the Esteribar Valley.

Ideal for cyclists or runners. Whatever you choose, its natural splendour will accompany you along all 12 routes. The welcome centre is located in Zubiri and the routes leave from Zubiri and from Eugi.

If your aim is to discover new trails, improve your agility on two wheels, or train for a mountain race, there is space in Eremua for you - and my, my, what a space it is.

The Vidángoz trails provide 5 mountain bike routes so you can discover the Roncal Valley region at your own pace.

Gradients, distances and levels of difficulty to suit all preferences, making it easy to discover the Pyrenees, as well as the option of following a cattle track - the Cañada Real de los Roncaleses.

The welcome area is located at the entrance of the village, where you can also find climbing enthusiasts preparing their equipment to take out with them.