Discover Ollo: Circular routes, spring and cultural heritage
Accommodation in Ollo
The Vuelta al Valle de Ollo offers a long main loop and shorter partial loops. Other paths lead to the spring and environmental education centre; the saltworks, castle and chapel explore different geological, artisanal and historical themes. For planning, you can compare the stated route lengths, climbs and walking times.
Hiking: circular routes and individual trails
The Vuelta al Valle de Ollo is 18.8 km long, follows gentle terrain and is considered suitable for all groups. This signposted circular route passes through the nine village centres of Anotz, Arteta, Beasoain, Egillor, Iltzarbe, Ollo, Saldise, Senosiáin and Ultzurrun. If you would prefer a shorter loop, you can choose one of the connected partial loops: the Nacedero–Ultzurrun–Arteta–Nacedero route is 5.9 km long, and the Ollo–Iltzarbe–Ollo loop is 4 km.
Two other hikes can be compared using their published figures. The hike to Castillo de Garaño starts in Egillor and covers 6.8 km, with 260 m of elevation gain and a stated duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes. The route from Arteta to Manantial de Arteta and the Saleras is listed as 5.3 km, with 130 m of elevation gain and a duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Arteta route is therefore shorter or lower on all three measures. These figures give you a concrete comparison of distance, climb and time required.
Spring, environmental education and trails
Manantial de Arteta lies at an altitude of 530 m in Ultzurrun and is the main outlet of the Arteta karst aquifer. It is also the source of the Udarbe River. The area of the Reserva Natural Subterránea de Arteta belongs to the Natura 2000 network and the Parque Natural de Sierra de Urbasa y AndĂa.
The Arteta route leads to the spring and the Centro de InformaciĂłn y EducaciĂłn Ambiental. The centre explains the geological history and features of Manantial de Arteta, Sierra de Urbasa-AndĂa and Valle de Ollo. The spring and centre give the route a geological focus; both destinations are specifically linked by the same route.
Cascada de Artazul is also a hiking destination in its own right. The approach initially follows a paved path and then continues on foot along a trail. When planning, allow for seasonal flooding and slippery sections. These conditions distinguish the approach from the simple distance figures given for the two hikes described above.
Castle, chapel and saltworks
Castillo de Garaño brings together different periods: its surviving remains include Bronze Age and Iron Age artefacts, as well as medieval defensive structures. The double ring wall around the central tower is a particularly striking feature. A wooden staircase leads up to the ruins on the summit of Gaztelu hill. The structural remains and the route described to reach them are two distinct aspects of this destination.
Ermita de DonamarĂa, including its portal and the rest of the building, is dated to the last third of the 12th century. In the early modern period, it also appears to have served as a meeting place for the mayors and council members of the valley’s villages. Meetings of these representatives are recorded there in the 17th century. The cautious wording about this historical role is important: its use as a meeting place is considered possible, while the 17th-century meetings are specifically mentioned.
The Saleras de Arteta are saltworks where salt is extracted from salt water. They are open to visitors, who should inform the municipality and treat the salt-making heritage with care. The Paseo de las Saleras offers insights into the ways of life of earlier generations and their relationship with salt. Along the path, you can see tools from traditional crafts, toys and various household items made of wood and clay. There are also arches: water once flowed through them to power millstones for grinding wheat. The saltworks therefore showcase both salt production and other traces of work from earlier times.
Discover more destinations: Riezu, SaragĂĽeta, Igantzi, Monteagudo, Cadreita, Basaburua, Fontellas, Sunbilla
For the main travel overview: Navarra.
