The former church, dating from the 14th century, and the present-day church, built in the 1870s, represent two distinctly different building periods in Etxaleku. Cycling routes also pass through the village or connect it with routes in the surrounding area. You can tailor your stay to your interest in church architecture, local remembrance or cycling. Each of the buildings and routes has its own points of reference and conditions.
Churches from Different Centuries
The former church of Etxaleku dates from the 14th century. Its original walls have survived almost intact, as has a Gothic doorway. The present-day church was built from partly dressed stone between 1872 and 1876 and has a tower. Most of its altarpiece dates from the early 17th century. Etxaleku therefore has a medieval church alongside a later church building with an altarpiece from an even earlier period.
Another trace of the former places of worship is the chapel of San Pedro: today, only its site and entrance remain. This makes it quite different from the former church, whose original walls have survived almost intact. Exploring the history of these buildings also reveals different forms of preservation: from walls and a doorway to a site with an entrance.
Local Remembrance and Landscape
According to local tradition, three guerrilla fighters known as Maquis were buried near Mount Amezti in 1944. A marker was placed on a cross-shaped tree in their memory. Following restoration work, part of the tree associated with the Maquis Cross was returned to Mount Amezti. Visitors are invited to see the part of this story located on Amezti.
To the north of Etxaleku, Pagadiandieta is the most prominent mountain; it also forms a boundary with Ihaben. This connection to the landscape differs from the story of remembrance at Amezti. The two names can therefore help you distinguish between different local points of reference as you explore the area.
Cycling Routes and Choosing a Route
EuroVelo 1 passes through Etxaleku and continues from there towards Latasa. In Latasa, the new cycling route connects with the Camino Natural del Plazaola. A marked network of trails also connects places in the Imotz and Basaburua valleys via paths and tracks intended for walkers and mountain bikers. Check the relevant route conditions before setting out.
The Oskotz–Monte Oianberri–Etxaleku circular route is rated as moderately difficult. Also worth noting is a forest section of about one kilometre where there are no paths, which can make navigation difficult. For this route, therefore, the specific navigation warning matters as well as the difficulty rating. Conditions and navigation may change; check both before setting out.
Another route goes from Latasa via Zarrantz, Oskotz and Etxaleku, then back to Latasa, and is 14.3 kilometres long. The planning information available for this route differs from that for the circular route starting in Oskotz: the latter is described as moderately difficult and includes a navigation warning, while the Latasa loop is given a total distance. Which information matters more to your choice depends on whether you are focusing mainly on the rating and the described forest section or on the route length.
Getting to Etxaleku
The road journey from Pamplona heads towards Irurtzun via the AP-15 or N-240-A, then follows the A-15 towards Urritza and continues from there on the NA-411. A local turnoff connects Etxaleku with the Tolosa–Pamplona national road via several minor roads to the north and south. This sequence provides guidance for planning your drive; check road conditions before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Abárzuza, Zubieta, Ibero, Murchante, Urrizola-Galain, Garaioa, Lerate, Igantzi.
For the main travel guide: Navarra.
