Arrarats: Houses, Church and Nature Experiences

Arrarats combines a historically shaped village landscape with cultural and natural attractions. The village is home to traditional houses, San Pedro Church and part of the Basaburua megalithic sector; it also has a local dance tradition and opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. When planning your trip, you can choose a focus: local history, nature experiences or routes.

Village Landscape and Architectural History

Arrarats lies in the upper part of the valley, on the slope of Ernaizu-Ireber. The traditional houses date from the 19th century. Many bordas have also been preserved; they were once used as homes. Some are still standing, while others have been completely renovated. The bordas thus add a distinct history of former use and differing states of preservation to the picture of the traditional houses.

San Pedro Church is Baroque in design and dates from the 19th century. Its altarpieces and interior paintings, however, date from the 17th century and were recently regilded. A carved image of Saint Peter dates from the 16th century. The construction, design and furnishings therefore point to different periods: the church cannot be reduced to a single date.

Cultural Connections

Part of the Basaburua megalithic sector lies within the territory of Arrarats, including Beigañe. Beigañe is described as a dolmen, although its status is considered uncertain. The dolmen is therefore a distinctive cultural landmark whose classification remains subject to this qualification.

The Zozo dantza, literally “blackbird dance,” is also part of the village’s cultural history. It is no longer danced in Arrarats; several dance groups preserve it for performances. The dance tradition connects the village with a repertoire passed down through generations, without promising a performance date in the village.

Landscape and Nature Experiences

The Otsola meadow is 900 meters from the village. The Otsola stream rises there, so the meadow and stream are linked by the same name and source location.

In 2026, the sensory forest experience in Arrarats includes a guided walk among oak, beech and chestnut trees, as well as hands-on work in a vegetable garden. The activity combines a walk through different tree species with an active gardening component.

Hiking and Cycling

The hiking route to Ireber starts at Arrarats Church and leads into a young beech forest. The route offers views of eastern Navarre and the Pyrenees. The starting point, stretch through the forest and views provide distinct points of interest along the hike.

The BE05 Izakiak mountain bike route can be started in Arrarats. The Vuelta a Basaburua route is signposted and can be used on foot or by bicycle. Check current route conditions before setting out on the Vuelta. The routes’ features can help you choose: the hiking route stands out for its start at the church, young beech forest and distant views; for the BE05, the option to start in Arrarats is specified.

Where to Stay in Arrarats

Kaaño Etxea in Arrarats is an ecological country house offering breakfast, dinner, workshops and coaching. If any particular services are important to your decision, confirm their current availability in advance. This lets you plan your accommodation alongside the activities that matter most for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Isaba, Mutilva Baja, Yerri, Lerate, Roncesvalles, Epároz, Leitza, San Adrián

For the broader travel overview: Navarra.