With the arrival of autumn, the list of Iberian nature destinations increases. Among the Spanish proposals, ** Navarra surprises by concentrating Atlantic, Alpine and Mediterranean landscapes ** that extol its charms during this time of year.
Within the immensity of places framed by nature that this province hides, the Urbasa and Andía Natural Park appears shy but determined to show us scenes that seem to be taken from a story. leafy beech trees, meadows crossed by latxa sheep Y enchanted forests that with the fall of the leaves acquire a more magical and seductive character.
UREDERRA, A RIVER THAT BEWITCHES
The jewel of the place is the Urederra River Nature Reserve , a forest of thick vegetation shaped by a river with waters so blue that they seem drawn.
Nature Reserve since 1987, Special Protection Zone 2017 and Red Natura 2000, but any title is insufficient to attest the beauty of a river that already carries is called "beautiful waters" . The only way to verify it will be to discover it for ourselves.
Urederra River
For visit the Urederra , we will have to go to southeast of the Sierra de Urbasa . Access is restricted to 500 people a day , so it will be necessary to register in advance .
The excursion begins in the quiet town of Baquedano , about three kilometers away. The complete tour of 6.2 kilometres, it is circular and it is very simple even to do it with children . To access it while preserving the calm of the town, it will be necessary to park the car at the entrance.
Going up to the highest part of Baquedano, the stone houses decorated with flowers show us the way to the beginning of the track . In the central square there is a pediment where tourists and locals join in the Basque ball game.
Hidden cabin in the Natural Park of Urbasa and Andía
We leave Baquedano behind. The itinerary follows a dirt road surrounded by trees that as we go, it becomes more wooded. Beech, oak, ash and juniper They accompany us as we go down to the river. In the background, the Karstic massif of Urbasa breaks through the green of the vegetation giving rise to the Urederra. After outlining the cirque of this massif, the water falls to a height of more than 100 meters.
We enter the thickest part of the forest, where we finally feel the whisper of the river followed by its exciting color of deep turquoise. The Urederra makes its way through tuffaceous formations that draw pools and waterfalls, each one larger, highlighting with intensity their blues and greens along 19 kilometers.
A riverside path follows the course of the river through walkways, paths and wooden bridges that immerse us in a tale where trees turn into gnomes, mischievous elves peek through holes in the ground and fairies fly over the river leaving trails of blue dust. A fantastic place to escape and disappear from the real world for a few hours.
Wooden bridge in Urbasa
NATURAL PARK OF URBASA AND ANDÍA, WHERE NATURE BECOMES MAGICAL
Going to the mountains is something very Navarrese and the Natural Park of Urbasa and Andía , with numerous trails of different levels, is the perfect place to do it.
Going deeper into this park is entering a more unknown area, but no less impressive for that. We take the car and head north, climbing to the top of the port of Urbasa. A more alpine panorama introduces us to remote adventures, taking us to the other side of the world.
To continue with our particular story, we will stop at the Pilate's balcony, 17 kilometers from Baquedano. An enormous tree with long branches welcomes us inviting us to share more fables under its prevailing shadow.
Sunrise in Urbasa
From the Ubaba natural viewpoint , also know as Pilate's balcony , a vertiginous precipice invaded by vegetation contemplates the rocky cirque from which the Urederra rises. From this point the possible a 12 kilometer route to discover the history of the area through dolmens and menhirs.
We continue along the road, and after passing an area of rocks, we park next to the information booth located at the north entrance of the park. The enchanted beech forest of Urbasa is another unexpected gift from the park.
Surrounded by beeches, large limestone rocks are disguised as figures that we guess between fantasies. Unusual landscapes where little by little autumn will leave behind its photogenic and characteristic ocher mantle.
Walking through the Natural Park of Urbasa and Andía