Four may not seem like a lot to you. reasons to visit Navarra in Autumn, but to summarize the infinity of proposals that the Foral Community offers us when the landscape changes and autumn colors flood everything is complicated.
See photos: the colors of autumn in Navarra
That is why we have chosen ancient forests (and World Heritage Site), mushrooms that are fashionable in creative kitchens but who have been owners and lords of this territory (and its tables) for centuries and paths, many paths to travel on foot... Or by bike! Because, even if you think that these are only for the summer, in reality they become the best company when the days get shorter and cooler.
Multicolored beech forest in Navarra.
1. LANDSCAPES
It is the vast forest of the Irati Jungle the most famous of all, and it is not for less, since it hides a beech forest declared a World Heritage Site: Lizardoia, which stands out for its magnificent conservation and biodiversity. Large birds of prey such as the bearded vulture, the peregrine falcon or the golden eagle will fly over your head while you unceremoniously raise it to enjoy the intensity of the colors of the leaves of the trees. Much higher you will have to look to reach with your eyes the tops of the tall beeches (up to 20 meters) that make up the enchanted beech forest of Urbasa, as gigantic as the 'gentiles' that inhabit it (in their mythology) since time immemorial. Another World Heritage beech-fir forest is that of Aztaparreta, in Rincón de Belagua, more than enough reason to visit the Roncal Valley. But there are still more wonders to list in this enclave of the Navarrese Pyrenees, like all those towns with their own identity, such as Isaba, Burgui or Roncal himself.
Enchanted beech forest of Urbasa.
Another protected natural space that is worth a visit is the source of the Urederra (Remember that you have to reserve it in advance at urederra.amescoa.com). There is no better place to see how the warm colors of autumn merge with cooler ones, such as the ‘beautiful water’ (its meaning in Basque) and turquoise of this river.
More unknown, on the other hand, are the Basajaunberro forest, in Orreaga/Roncesvalles, and its popular hiking route dotted with unique oaks such as the one nicknamed El Lancero; the of Quinto Real and its photogenic (and abandoned) weapons factory and Orgi, in Ultzama, and its few and interesting wet oak groves. Those who want to get tired of hugging the majestic beauty of monumental oak trees in autumn They will only have to go to Jauntsarats, Etxarri Aranatz and the Señorío de Bertiz Natural Park.
Source of the Urederra.
2. GASTRONOMY AND WINE TOURISM
Are mushrooms and fungi an essential element of autumn in Navarra. The mycological richness of its forests reaches the table in the form of delicious chanterelles, russulas or perrechicos, the latest gastronomic sensation in the most creative kitchens. Other products that should not be missing in this season of the year are the famous piquillo peppers from Lodosa, the beans from Sangüesa or the shepherd's crumbs from Ujué or Roncal, those that once fed the shepherds and now the hedonists accompany it with cheese, such as Idiazábal, with designation of origin since 1987. And beware of the exquisiteness that are the hunting dishes based on deer, wild boar or pigeon!
It is also harvest time, and the vineyards begin to turn red, so these dates are a unique time to enjoy the wine tourism in its wineries thanks to the initiatives of the Navarra Wine Route. We can from pruning the vines to try all their wines: the Foral Community has a D.O. Navarra, several Denominations of Pago Wines and a Protected Geographical Indication, among other classifications, such as the PDO Qualified Rioja that it shares with other communities.
Mushroom scramble.
3. WAY OF SAINT JAMES
It's not a bad time autumn to start the Camino de Santiago. In addition, since the Jacobean Holy Year has been extended until 2022 in an exceptional way, you can always continue your pilgrimage at any other time if the weather is not good. Although we are sure that if you start it in Navarra (the busiest route starts in Luzaide/Valcarlos towards the Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles) you will not want to go off the path until you finish it. Or should we say the roads? As in addition to the main route of the French Way, by the Foral Community run the Aragonese Way –which enters from Sangüesa and joins the main one at Puente La Reina–, the unknown Baztanes Road, that runs through this valley from France, and that of the Ebro, which comes up the river and crosses the south of Navarrese territory.
Pilgrims on the Zubiri bridge.
4. BIKE ROUTES
It's a classic start the Camino de Santiago by bicycle through Navarra: leaving behind the greenery of the Pyrenees until reaching the Pamplona basin, to descend comfortably pedaled between soft mountains, cereal fields and vineyards. But there are many more options to discover its landscape diversity on two wheels, you just have to take any of its five greenways, routes that run through the ancient narrow gauge train tracks (ideal for families): Bidasoa Greenway, Plazaola Greenway - Nature Trail, Irati Greenway, Vasco-Navarro Railway Greenway - Nature Trail and Tarazonica Greenway - Nature Trail.
Those who have a higher level will be able to challenge themselves in the Bardenas Reales desert, on roads through autumn forests and up endless passes or on the many mountain bike spaces with which the autonomous community has. Don't miss out on Tierra Estella-Lizarraldea, one of the largest in the entire Peninsula with its more than 2,200 kilometers of routes, which also passes through the Urbasa-Andía Natural Park, and the Irati Natural Park, a BTT initiative that brings together the Salazar and Aezkoa valleys on the Navarrese side and Zuberoa and Cize on the French side. Because, as the Navarra Tourism portal proverbially points out: "What do mountain bikes know about borders?"
Vuelta del Castillo Park, in Pamplona.
[SUBSCRIBE HERE to our newsletter and receive all the news from Condé Nast Traveler #YoSoyTraveler]