Six route guides, a six-kilometre circular trail along the Irati and a historic town centre featuring Gothic and modern civil architecture give a trip to Aoiz several different focuses. Those who enjoy the outdoors will find routes through river landscapes and mountains; those interested in architectural history will encounter bridges, churches and distinctive houses. Local festivals add their own highlights, too.

Historic centre and architecture

Gothic and modern civil architecture stand side by side in the historic centre. The houses built of fine ashlar stone include doorways with pointed or round arches, wooden eaves and, in some cases, coats of arms. The Puente de Auzola, also known as Bidelepu, is a medieval bridge with four arches over the Irati. It offers a different perspective on the history of architecture from the Church of San Miguel: built from the 15th century onwards over an earlier Romanesque church, it retains the latter’s sturdy tower. The church also houses a high altarpiece created by Juan de Anchieta in 1580.

A Renaissance building of civil architecture in Aoiz was built towards the end of the 15th century; a fountain dating from 1801 is Neoclassical in design. Together with the varied architectural forms in the town centre, these buildings show how Aoiz can be explored through the different periods of its history.

Walking routes with different trail formats

The Aoiz tourism portal provides six route guides for the local trail network. Two routes along the Irati offer a clear choice: the Sendero del Irati is a six-kilometre circular trail that starts and ends in Aoiz. It runs parallel to the river; its islands and riverside woodland are among the landscape’s defining features. The Ermita de San Román–Río Irati route, by contrast, is a linear trail: it is 6.6 kilometres long, has a low difficulty level and includes 177 metres of elevation gain. It follows the riverbank through a pine forest to an icehouse and a viewpoint overlooking the Irati. The route format, length and elevation gain can help you choose between the two walks based on your available time and preferred itinerary; check trail conditions before setting out.

Other routes start at the Church of San Miguel and head in different directions. The Peña Zarikieta route follows the Senda de los Carboneros and the Sierra de Zarikieta to Peña Zarikieta. The route to Rala leads from the church through the Barranco de las 3 Fuentes to Rala. Muga Erdozain crosses the Canal de Navarra and climbs via Mirabuenos to Ollaran. Axarimendia climbs from San Miguel to Axarimendia and returns along a path that runs parallel to the Irati. The area around the river in the Aoiz hiking area is part of the Sites of Community Importance (SCI).

River scenery, audio walks and rafting

Mountains surround Aoiz, while rivers and gorges cross the landscape, making it suitable for outdoor sports. Rafting trips are offered on the Irati in Aoiz and are suitable for families and groups of friends. As availability and seasonal operation depend on the provider, check before travelling whether trips are running on your dates.

If you would rather explore Aoiz by listening, you can choose the “Cuéntame Aoiz” audio tour, which focuses on the town’s history, culture, customs and curiosities. Check the municipal website for information on how to access it. “Caminar Aoiz – Agoitz ibilian” is an audio walk through the Irati river landscape, past the ruins of the El Irati S.A. sawmill. It lasts 90 minutes and is divided into five audio tracks. Check the guidance on trail conditions before setting out.

Festivals throughout the year

Aoiz Carnival takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It includes fancy dress, collecting eggs and chistorra sausage from houses, and a communal feast. The main patron saint festivities in honour of Saint Michael fall on the second Sunday in August. On one of the festival days, the “Jota del chocolate” is also performed after a chocolate celebration. These customs give a visit a cultural focus that differs from the town’s architectural history and riverside routes.

Discover more destinations: Lónguida.

Go to the main travel overview: Aoiz.