Route through Plazaola, Sakana and Ultzama

The Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar is a gem perched atop the striking Sierra de Aralar. The majesty of its 9th-century church is captivating, as is the gem of mediaeval goldsmithing housed inside, its enamel frontal.

The views of the surrounding valleys are spectacular and it's a nature lovers’ paradise.

And now we're heading west, to the Sierra de Aralar, to tell you about the last cave you can visit in Navarre. It's in Astitz and is called the Cave of Mendukilo.

The guided tour will reveal to you the mysteries of the depths of the earth, thanks to the recent installation of floating walkways and multimedia lighting. It passes through several chambers, such as Artzainzulo —the shepherds' shelter—, a large space with plenty of natural light; Laminosin —the chamber of the lakes—, full of geological formations; and the grand finale, Herensugearen gotorlekua —the colossal dragon’s lair. This is where the guide asks for silence and all —all— you can hear is that deep silence which only the earth is capable of producing.

And for the more daring, there’s the chance to sign up for the speleo-adventure programme, which goes as far as the Chamber of the Warrior, 70 metres underground. It is a physically demanding activity that takes about 3 hours and you have to book in advance.

No matter which option you choose, there’s also the reception area, an exhibition area, toilets and snack and coffee vending machines.