Abaurrepea / Abaurrea Baja lies in a hollow on the edge of the Irati Forest. Several circular hiking routes offer different highlights: some connect the two Abaurreas, while others lead to caves and historic sites. The Church of San Martín de Tours and a wayside cross at the entrance to the village also give the place a distinctive cultural and historical character. This means hiking and local history can be considered as different focal points for your stay.

Circular routes between villages, caves and forest

The circular hiking route “Enogastronomic Landscape – Between the Abaurreas through meadows and forests” connects Abaurregaina/Abaurrea Alta and Abaurrepea/Abaurrea Baja. The SL NA-54 Camino de las Abaurreas circular trail also starts in Abaurrepea. It is 5.6 kilometres long and leads from Abaurregaina along the old path between the two villages, returning to its starting point in Abaurrepea. As well as connecting the villages, it therefore offers a clearly marked return along the old route between them.

Another circular route leads from Abaurrepea to the Cueva de Aginaga. It is listed as 7.4 kilometres long, with an elevation gain of 335 metres and a duration of around three hours. In terms of distance alone, it is longer than the 5.6-kilometre SL NA-54; the elevation gain and approximate duration also provide concrete points of reference for planning your time. Conditions on these two routes may vary.

The SL NA-50B Cuevas de Asketaldea circular trail starts in Abaurrepea and passes several old lime kilns. One section descends through an area of pollarded beech trees. The trail also passes close to a spring surrounded by unusually shaped oak trees. The Cueva de Asketaldea is located on the route, a few metres beyond a gate. This natural site is close to the village centre and can be reached by a local hiking trail. The cave and lime kilns give this circular route different points of interest from the paths between the two Abaurreas.

Church and historic sites

The Church of San Martín de Tours is a Gothic religious building dating from the 14th century. Its notable features include a retable and an interior grille that separates the altar area from the space for worshippers. A 16th-century wayside cross also stands at the entrance to the village. It has damage associated with conflicts in the 19th century. The church and the cross thus point to different periods in the village’s history.

Abaurrepea / Abaurrea Baja has been burned down and devastated several times throughout its history. It is considered the oldest settlement in the Aezkoa Valley. Other historical landmarks include a mill in the Errotaldea area and the ruins of a house known as the Casa de la Inquisición.

Landscape as a highlight in its own right

The original vegetation in the municipality consisted mainly of beech, pine and oak trees. Beech and oak trees feature as specific points of interest along the SL NA-50B: the route passes through an area of pollarded beeches and close to the spring surrounded by unusually shaped oaks. When choosing between the hikes, you can therefore consider the distances and times given, as well as the landscape and cultural highlights mentioned for each route.

Discover more destinations: Uztegi, Ayechu, Urdániz, Zariquiegui, Donamaria, Muneta, Iza, Ituren.

For the regional travel overview: Navarra.