Igantzi: Nature, Trails and Culture

Igantzi offers a range of reasons to visit: the San Juan Xar Nature Reserve and trails through the surrounding area sit alongside buildings and traditions in the town, as well as the adventure activities at IrriSarri Land. If you’re looking for a hotel in Igantzi, you can first consider whether nature, outdoor activities, architectural history or a particular activity will shape your stay. The following topics will help you plan.

Nature Reserve and Trails

The San Juan Xar Nature Reserve is one of the few places on the Iberian Peninsula where the European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) grows naturally. This botanical rarity gives the place a distinctive connection with nature. There is also a sculpture of a shepherd in the San Juan Xar grotto. The water from the spring is believed to have healing properties. The pilgrimage to San Juan Xar takes place on 24 June and includes a mass and a ritual at the spring.

The San Juan Xar walking route is 5.03 kilometres long, rated easy and circular. The path from Igantzi to San Juan Xar is considered short and wide, with very little incline. The trail surface and conditions may vary seasonally; check them locally before setting out.

The Vía Verde del Bidasoa passes through the Berrizaun district of Igantzi and was developed mainly for cycling. It is also considered suitable for walks and family hikes, and is a route with no difficulties or steep climbs. Check local trail conditions for this route too. This allows you to take the different trail profiles into account: the San Juan Xar route is notable for its circular format and specific length, while the Vía Verde is primarily designed for cycling.

Activities in Igantzi

IrriSarri Land is a rural resort and adventure park in Igantzi. It offers three zip lines. One is 900 metres long and is considered the longest in Navarre. If you plan to try this activity, check the operating conditions for the zip lines before your trip.

IrriSarri Land also offers six themed routes: a landscape route, an adventure route, a sensory route, a mythological route, the Natura route and the “In Search of Baxi” route. Their themes range from landscape and nature to adventure, the senses and mythology. You can choose based on which of these themes interests you most; the six names distinguish the routes by their respective themes.

Buildings and Local History

The Church of San Miguel has a Latin-cross floor plan and ribbed vaults. Its interior was extensively remodelled during the Baroque period. The Baroque high altar depicts Saint Michael in an 18th-century representation. The church also houses a reredos dedicated to John the Baptist from the late 17th century. Its distinctive features include Solomonic columns decorated with grapes. The floor plan and vaults describe the architecture, while the altars add different art-historical details.

Elizatea stands beside the church in Igantzi’s village square and is one of the oldest houses in the town centre. The earliest written references to the house date back to the 16th century. The Ermita de la Piedad is 500 metres from the centre of Igantzi, at the highest point in town; its façade dates from 1555. Together, these places offer different historical points of interest: the house on the village square, the church with its altars and the chapel with its dated façade.

Discover more destinations: Oskotz, Miranda De Arga, Esnoz, Añorbe, Murchante, Gorraiz, Azuelo, Viana.

For the overall travel guide: Navarre.