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Navarre in autumn
Take a look at our plans bursting with colour and come and enjoy the splendour of autumn in Navarre
When the leaves fall
Wander through enchanted forests
Although we really agree that walking through the woods has its charm in any season of the year, if we had to choose, we'd go for autumn.
Why?
Yet again, the burst of colour in the trees, making it a unique season. Watch the leaves slowly fall and listen to the sound of crisp leaves crunching under foot, bringing musicality to your walks. The proliferation of wild mushrooms and fungi, making the trails more entertaining. Chestnuts. Moss. Pleasant temperatures. Peace and quiet.
And let's not forget the benefits of woodland bathing. This therapy, which originated in Japan, will help you to free yourself from stress while enjoying a stroll through the woods, using all five senses.
There're even more reasons, but it'll be best if you come and discover them for yourself in our superb woodlands:
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The Irati Forest and its mysterious beauty
And, of course, the best way to do so is to go to the Irati Forest and to soak up its mysterious beatury. You should be aware that this is the second largest beech-fir forest in Europe and that to tread its carpet of rust-coloured leaves is simply one of the wonders of nature. If you'd like to fall in love with autumn in Navarre for ever, just explore some of these trails:
I want to walk in the Irati Forest more about hiking -
Other legendary beech woods
We're well aware that the beech woods of the Irait Forest are the most highly rated by visitors, but make no mistake, all beech woods convey an aura of peace and tranquillity. To mention but a few:
- Mountaineers Itinerary and the enchanted beech woods of Urbasa
- Iturburua in Bertiz
- Dronda- Mata de Haya, in Belagua will make you feel like you're walking under an incredible Gothic vaulted ceiling.
- Basajaunberro Woodlands in Orreaga/Roncesvalles
- Ruta de Tres Hayas or three beeches Trail, which is one of the bunker trails at Auritz/Burguete
Other not-to-be-missed beech woods include the Quinto Real Forest, the woodlands at Sorogain and some trails in Aralar.
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Walks amid monumental oak trees
Majestic trees, some are hundreds while others are thousands of years old, displaying all their splendour with intense oranges and reds. Be warned, you won't be able to stop taking photo after photo!
- Orgi Wood in the Ultzama Valley.
- Monumental oak trees in Jauntsarats in Basaburua
- Thousand-year old oaks in Etxarri Aranatz. This trail can be extended to include the dolmen trail.
- Oak grove of Altsasu/Alsasua
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Water and woodlands, a stunning combination
If the woodlands in themselves are spectacular in autumn, during or at the end of your walk, just imagine coming across pools of turqoise waters, reservoirs and waterfalls that are simply awesome... well, here in Navarre we've got quite a few of these paradises:
- The Source of the River Urederra in the foothills of the Sierra de Urbasa.
- The Xorroxin Waterfall, one of the most attractive trails in the Baztan Valley.
- The Belabarce Waterfall in the Roncal Valley.
- The Leurtza Reservoirs, incredible mountain lakes surrounded by beech woods.
- Ixkier Waterfall and the 3 bridges trail alongside the Plazaola Rail Trail
Cuisine: autumn, finger-licking dishes
In autumn, not only the woodlands of Navarre are full of colour. The culinary dishes are also bursting with colour thanks to the succulent ingredients of the season.
It's time to savour the intense flavour of the piquillo peppers from Lodosa, which are really typical of our land, or freshly-picked wild mushrooms.
This can be followed with a dish of potxas, fresh white beans from Sangüesa or migas de pastor, shepherd's breadcrumbs from Ujué, or hearty dishes based on venison, wild boar or pigeon, which are highly appreciated in this season and are typical mountain dishes.
With the arrival of the colder months, coming close to winter, you'll get the chance to taste flavourful menus based on green vegetables: borage, cardoon, chicory, cabbage, artichokes... the ideal opportunity to savour new flavours and to visit Tudela, the capital city of La Ribera, in southern Navarre.
And, of course, all washed down with the best Crianza wines of Navarre. And, if you want to go one step further this season, then the Navarre Wine Route organises a host of wine activities and experiences for the general public.
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Bicycles are also for autumn
Although, as the saying goes bicycles are for summer, autumn is also a great season to carry on pedalling, with temperatures that are neither too hot nor too cold, the days are still long and the scenery is bursting with colour.
If you're holidaying as a family or if you like to do trails at your own pace, then we'd suggest the 5 Rail Trails in Navarre. These are located at different points of the region and offer you an exceptional variety of scenery and, of course, with that special touch of autumn: Atlantic woodlands, small, delightful villages, the spectacular Limestone Gorge of Lumbier, the reddish leaves of the vineyards and the well-tended market gardens of La Ribera in southern Navarre.
The MTB areas are another option, with trails catering for all skill levels and with thousands of kilometres of possibilities: more than 2,000 km in Tierra Estella in the south; 46 trails in the Central Zone; 400 km through the Irati Forest; 12 trails through the Esteribar Valley; and a further 5 through the Roncal Valley.
If you 're still undecided, then another option is to do part of the Way of St James by bike or start the EuroVelo 1 route in the part going through Navarre.
Mushroom foraging
Navarre is a paradise for mushroom enthusiasts with two mycological parks to allow you to enjoy your hobby. Both offer mushroom picking permits, organise visits and give advice on any mushroom-related questions.
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Ultzama Mycological Park
At a distance of just 25 km from Pamplona, this valley which is renowned for its centuries-old oak trees in the Bosque de Orgi woods, has a consolidated mycological park that offers a number of trails to enjoy the oak and beech woods while getting into the magical world of mushrooms.
Click to go to the Ultzama Mycological Park website -
Erro-Roncesvalles Mycological Park
Located in the valleys and settlements around Orreaga/Roncesvalles, this park covers a total surface area of more than 15,500 ha, of which more than 4,500 are woodlands of mycological interest. If you enjoy walking amidst beech trees, then this is the park for you.
Click to go to the Erro-Roncesvalles Mycological Park website
Autumn plans for everyone
As we've already mentioned, autumn offers a host of different plans so that you can carry on enjoying being outdoors. So we're going to get straight to the point and tell you all about them.
Autumn plans to revitalise your spirit:
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Fair in Puente la Reina
27 sep - 29 sep
Fair in Puente la Reina
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Days in Praise of Potxa Beans
27 sep - 29 sep
Days in Praise of Potxa Beans
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Cazuelica and Navarra wine Week
04 oct - 13 oct
Cazuelica and Navarra wine Week
Where to stay in Navarre in autumn?
We're well aware that, in this season, with the woodlands bursting with colour, this is the ideal opportunity to rent a wood cabin or let yourself be pampered in a welcoming rural hotel.
And you're in luck!
Navarre has a great selection of rural accommodation that will allow you to feel all the energy of nature:
Other cultural suggestions for autumn
If you really appreciate the finest examples of Romanesque and Gothic rural architecture, then you're in the perfect place, given that this small Kingdom of Navarre holds a historical and artistic heritage that is well worth a visit.
Here are a few ideas:
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Go to Cultural highlights blending in with nature
Cultural highlights blending in with nature
Some of our most iconic monuments merge with nature, so the pleasure is double: the Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles, the Sancturary of San Miguel de Aralar, the Hermitage of Muskilda in the Irati Forest and the monasteries of Irantzu and Leyre.
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Go to Castles and forts
Castles and forts
A classic activity that never fails to please all ages, adults and children alike. Don't miss the Royal Palace of Olite, the Castle of Javier or the fortified enclave of the Cerco de Artajona, where you can even go up a dragon's back!
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Go to City and town breaks
City and town breaks
If you're coming for a weekend, how about visiting 3 really nice historical old quarters? Pamplona with its old city walls, Tudela with its colourful square, its streets full of urban art and its Romanesque cathedral and Estella-Lizarra with its really attractive and monumental district of San Perdro.
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Go to Stroll through the streest of beautiful towns and villages
Stroll through the streest of beautiful towns and villages
There're so many that's it's not easy to mention just a few: Elizondo, Irurita and Amaiur in the Baztan Valley; Larraintzar, Lizaso and Iraitzoz in the Ultzama Valley, and Auritz/Burguete, Aribe, Ochagavía and Roncal in the valleys of the Pyrenees.
Articlesof interest
Los 12 mejores baños de bosque del otoño en Navarra
Eat well in Navarre in autumn
10 planes muy originales para un otoño espectacular en Navarra
What's Navarre got to offer in the other seasons of the year?
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Spring
Spring
Winter gives way to a season of intense greenery, trails, cuisine and lots and lots of nature.
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Summer
Summer
The impressive mother earth and open air activities are yet again the protagonists of the hottest months of the year.
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Winter
Winter
There's nothing like a nice stew by the fire for those winter days in which you'd like to feel at home.