Azarrulla: Walking Routes, Local History and Festivals

Azarrulla combines walking routes with local history and recurring festivals. When planning your trip, you can take different route lengths and landscapes into account and complement your stay with insights into the town’s religious and industrial history.

Church and Local History

The Church of Las Candelas is located in the centre of Azarrulla. The Parroquia de la Candelaria was built in 1831 and is included in La Rioja’s General Inventory of Monuments. It is a single-nave religious building made of ashlar and rubble masonry, with a small bell gable. Its construction date, basic form and building materials offer concrete points of reference if you are interested in the town’s architecture.

The former ironworks also form part of Azarrulla’s history. They had a long tradition in the 19th century and were later used as a hydroelectric power plant. Their former use as ironworks was thus followed by a different industrial purpose. This adds a development beyond religious architecture to the picture of local history.

Festivals Throughout the Year

On 2 February, the Feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria is celebrated in Azarrulla with a Mass. The Feast of San Antonio takes place on 13 June or the nearest Saturday. It includes a Mass and a procession between Azarrulla and San Antón. The procession’s direction changes each year; the saint remains at the destination until the following year. The Day of Thanksgiving is celebrated on 28 August. These recurring dates provide fixed reference points if you would like to plan your stay around the local festival calendar.

Walking Routes by Distance and Terrain

Two circular routes can be compared by length. The 11 km loop runs from Azárrulla via Prado Martín, Horquillo, Obícolla and Barranco Ortaura, returning to Azárrulla. The 15 km loop also returns to Azárrulla, via Prado Martín, Horquillo, Collado Cobelasa, Oricha Posadas and Camino de la Herradura. The second route is four kilometres longer.

Another circular hike is the Ruta del Cementerio de Azarrulla: it is 9.59 km long, runs through mountainous terrain and has an elevation difference of 673 m. The old cemetery is its starting point and is of historical and ethnographic value. For this route, the distance and elevation difference are concrete planning details; practical information may change if route conditions change. Check it before setting out.

Forest, Gorge and Mining History

The Senda de los Siete Puentes leads through a beech forest rich in moss and ferns, crossing the stream on seven wooden bridges. Forest and stream crossings characterise these sections of the trail. The Solana del Usaya route offers a different landscape: it contrasts a dry, deforested, sunny slope with a damp beech forest and the vegetation of the gorge carved by the waters of the Usaya.

The Solana del Usaya leads to an old mine entrance and a spoil heap. A path incorporated into the route was formerly used to transport ore from the Ortaura mines. Entering the mine is expressly discouraged; check the safety information before setting out. The route starts in the village of Azárrulla, on the road to the hamlets, LR-415.

The “Por las márgenes del Oja” route follows historic farm and livestock tracks between Azárrulla, Altuzarra and Posadas. It then continues along the Cañada Real del Oja and returns to Posadas via the old road. The types of tracks and places mentioned connect the current route description with the historical use of these paths.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

From Ezcaray, you can reach Azarrulla via the road to the hamlets. After the turn-offs for Urdanta and Zaldierna, turn left at the junction for Azárrulla. Check the local road layout before driving. At the end of the village, there is a car park on the left where the walk begins; check its availability before setting off.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Fuenmayor, Ojacastro, Nalda, Nájera, Gallinero De Cameros, Ollauri, Santurde De Rioja, Ausejo

Go to the main travel overview: La Rioja.