The Salazar River flows through Ezcároz, whose streetscape is defined by paved streets and grand-looking Pyrenean houses. Their steeply pitched roofs and flat roof tiles give the buildings a distinctive architectural profile. At the same time, much of the municipality is forested with pines, beeches and oaks.
River Landscape and Streetscape
The municipality also lies within the “Río Salazar” protected area, designated as ZEC ES2200012. The river, forest and streetscape give your stay a range of different focal points: you can get to know Ezcároz through both its landscape and its architectural heritage.
Culture and Architectural History
The parish church of San Román was built in the late 16th century. Its main altarpiece is dedicated to Saint Romanus and attributed to Miguel de Casanova y Aibar. Whether you can see the altarpiece inside the church depends on access arrangements; check in advance if visiting the interior is important to you. The Gothic Ermita de Santa María Magdalena stands on the edge of the village, and access to it may also vary. This offers a chance to see a parish church built in the late 16th century and a Gothic hermitage as distinct religious buildings.
The village’s secular history can also be read in several buildings. The Palacio de Iturriria is included in the official list of the Kingdom of Navarre among the palaces classified as “cabo de armería.” The old mill was built in 1767; it is no longer in operation, but its machinery is still there. The present dam was built in 1907, after a severe flood destroyed the wooden dam. The historical themes thus range from the palace’s status and surviving mill machinery to the history of water-control structures.
Hiking Trails and Seasonal Experiences
A hiking trail to the “bordales” starts at the church in Ezcároz and leads from there to the cemetery. “Bordales” refers to a traditional agricultural system consisting of a Borda and the adjoining fields on the mountain slopes. The Sendero de Jasule is a circular hiking trail that also starts at the church. It leads to the Jasule waterfalls and passes the Ezcároz viewpoint, with its panoramic information board. The Sendero de Jasule is listed as 5.4 km long with 250 m of elevation gain; the figures may vary depending on the published version of the route. The trails have different focuses: one centers on the traditional agricultural landscape, while the other combines waterfalls and a viewpoint.
In summer, Ezcároz has a prepared river bathing area. The patron saint festivities in honor of the Virgen del Carmen take place from July 16 to 20; the exact program may vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around the festivities, check the dates for the relevant year.
Getting There
From Pamplona, you can reach Ezcároz via the A-21 Pyrenees motorway towards Lumbier–Navascués and via the NA-140 between Burguete and Isaba. Check road conditions before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Corella, Arce, Cabanillas, Ilzarbe, Lérruz, Oderitz, Ablitas, Leitza.
Return to the main travel overview: Navarra.
