Nature unfolds its magic on the banks of the Bidasoa
In the western part of the Navarrese Pyrenees , resting for centuries a few meters from the shore of the Bidasoa, is one of the most beautiful and unknown representatives of the Spanish Atlantic Forest.
The Señorío de Bértiz Natural Park It is a forest carpet, dotted with streams, which changes color with the fluctuations of the seasons , as if he didn't want to wear the same outfit to any party.
In this natural park of more than two thousand hectares, oak, beech and alder trees grow freely and serve as shelter for roe deer, deer and wild boar.
However, animals are not the only inhabitants of the forest, as they say that on moonless nights, when the stars shine unopposed on the black celestial canvas, the songs of the sirens are heard –also called “lamias” in these parts– that protect these valleys.
The sirens rise and fall through the streams at will, singing and combing their long hair with golden combs. In fact, the mermaid is the main character of the coat of arms of the house of Bértiz.
Millenary beech forests and centennial manor
MILLENARY BEECH FORESTS AND CENTENARY SEÑORÍO
And it is that this wonderful valley located just 50 km from Pamplona, in which the mixed beech forest has been the predominant forest for the last 3,000 years, It belonged to the Bértiz family from the 14th century until 1898, when the vast domains were bought by Dorotea Fernández and Pedro Ciga Mayo.
Don Pedro fell totally in love with the place and dedicated himself to taking care of it and improving it. Not in vain, It was he who gave splendor to the botanical garden that you find near the main entrance of the park, and built the mansion that served as the couple's residence and today it is a place where encounters, meetings, training activities and temporary exhibitions are held on topics related to nature and culture.
In 1949, Pedro Ciga decided to donate his possessions to the government of Navarra, with the condition that they keep them as they were. and the place was used only for educational, recreational and scientific purposes. That obviously included his spectacular garden.
A natural enclave of more than two thousand hectares
BOTANICAL GARDEN OF SEÑORÍO DE BÉRTIZ
Created by a French gardener in 1847, the botanical garden was the most precious jewel of Don Pedro Ciga. For years, he was lovingly working that garden that would end up being home to more than a hundred species of trees from all corners of the world.
There they grow today, among others, hard and flexible Oriental bamboos, American redwoods, South American monkey puzzle trees, bald cypresses, camellias, Lebanese cedars, hydrangeas and water lilies.
To discover the unusual beauty of the place, a network of trails runs through its four hectares. The traveler can walk among these exotic species only accompanied by the murmur of the spring water. the ponds, which appear here crossed by stone bridges from the beginning of the 20th century.
The Señorío de Bértiz botanical garden is the perfect place to learn about native and foreign species, but also to get lost in any of its many romantic corners.
The Palace of Reparacea
VALLEY TRAILS
However, although the garden is one of the most important attractions of the Bértiz Natural Park, the vast majority of visitors come to discover the valley as it really should be done: on foot and unhurriedly.
A network of seven paths, differentiated with colors (green, black, yellow, blue, purple, red and orange) and names (Aizkolegi, Iturburua, Aizkolegi-Plazazelai, Irretarazu, Plazazelai, Suspiro and Erreparatzea), they go through almost all the corners of the natural park.
Whether you are looking for an adventure of long hours through the forest, or if you just want to take a short and refreshing walk through nature, in the Bértiz Natural Park you will find a route that adapts to your wishes.
For example, the easiest path is the orange one (Erreparatzea), which runs along the banks of the Bidasoa , between the main entrance of the park and the Palace of Reparacea. This road, just over 700 meters long, served as the main access to the park until it was built. the Oronoz-Mugairi bridge. The terrain is flat and can be completed in just under half an hour.
At the opposite end of the stress scale is the green path (Aizkolegi) . However, if you have the two necessary attributes to carry out this route, time and some physical fitness, it is very worth it, because this route makes good the famous saying that reads “The greater the efforts, the better the rewards”.
On foot and without hurry: the best way to discover the valley
The Aizkolegi path leads to the top of the mount with the same name , which rises 830 meters above sea level. There are the neglected ruins of the summer palace that Dorotea and Pedro built.
They say it was their favorite refuge, because from that height they could enjoy, in total peace, the best possible views of the lands and forests that today make up the Bértiz Natural Park.
To get to that precious prize, before You have to travel about 11 km of forest track with a cumulative drop of 680 meters. The hardness of the terrain is hardly noticeable when the view rejoices with a virgin and calm landscape where the trees seem to contemplate you, in silence, with the strangeness of someone who does not see many people passing by.
That stillness is broken only the whisper of the water –which is poured, madly, here and there on stones covered with green moss– and the song of the birds.
Among the latter, the woodpeckers stand out, since the Bértiz Natural Park has the honor of being the only place in Spain where you can see the seven species of woodpecker that inhabit the peninsula.
The return from the top can be done by the same path taken on the way out or by combining the green, yellow and purple trails (Aizkolegi, Aizkolegi-Plazazelai and Plazazelai). In any case, the complete tour usually takes about 6-7 hours.
A getaway to nature for all audiences
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Lastly, the Señorío de Bértiz Natural Park also has a youth shelter with capacity for 35 kids and that is made available to groups who want to go to carry out environmental education activities.
And it is that the Señorío de Bértiz is one of those few places that remain in our country in which Mother Nature is the owner and mistress of everything, she being able to live in peace for centuries, for the enjoyment and luck of those of us who love nature.