In Ituren, historic buildings stand alongside medieval bridges over the Ezkurra and trails that vary in length and character. A seasonal highlight is the carnival, which connects Ituren and Zubieta through reciprocal processional visits. When planning your trip, start by asking yourself: are festivals and cultural history, or a particular hiking route, your main focus?
Carnival and Traditions Throughout the Year
The Ituren and Zubieta carnival takes place every year on the Monday and Tuesday after the last Sunday in January. On Monday, the procession from Zubieta visits Ituren; on Tuesday, Ituren returns the visit in Zubieta. The carnival has been designated a cultural asset of cultural interest. The main procession covers three kilometres between the villages, ending in Ituren’s village square. The figures described include Joaldunak, a bear, other animal figures and rams. If you are planning to travel for the carnival, check the exact event dates for your travel year.
Another tradition links the annual calendar to Mendaur: Trinity Day is celebrated in late May or early June. Local residents climb the mountain, where the Trinity Chapel stands at the summit. The chapel was rebuilt in 1963. The January carnival and this later celebration offer two different seasonal occasions for a visit.
Church, Palace and Historic Bridges
The Church of San MartĂn de Tours dates from the 16th century and was partly remodelled in the 18th century. Its main altar, dating from the early 17th century, retains its original polychromy. The origins of the Palacio de Ituren date back to the late Middle Ages. The present-day stone building was completed in 1715 and bears a Baroque coat of arms. Traditional buildings also shape the village’s appearance: turned wooden balconies have been preserved, some houses date from the 17th century, and one bears traces of Gothic features.
The Marizeneko zubia is one of Ituren’s two medieval bridges over the Ezkurra. It retains its original design, featuring a large semicircular arch. The second bridge crosses the river between the neighbourhoods of Latsaga and Aurtitz; it too has a large arch in its original design. These structures offer a chance to see medieval bridge architecture in two different parts of the village.
The Trinity Chapel stands at the summit of Mendaur. The Chapel of San JoaquĂn is on the route up the mountain, about a ten-minute walk from Ituren, and was restored in 1956. Along with the climb on Trinity Day, it provides another cultural and historical connection to Mendaur.
Choose Hiking Trails by Length and Difficulty
The Camino del Agua is a 15.6-kilometre, moderate linear hiking trail. It follows the Ezkurra and passes through Ituren and Aurtitz; the route is also suitable for mountain bikes (MTBs). The five-kilometre Ioaldunen Bidea is a linear hiking trail connecting Ituren and Zubieta, with 100 metres of elevation gain. It starts in Ituren’s village square, continues via Latsaga and Aurtitz to Zubieta, and offers a glimpse into the traditional way of life in the Basque Atlantic region’s scattered settlements. The difference in length is clear: five kilometres compared with 15.6 kilometres.
For a longer hike rated difficult, the Arantza–Mendaur–Makillipurdi–Sorano–Illurdi–Arantza route descends towards Ituren and continues to the Mendaur reservoir over 21 kilometres. It is only partially waymarked. When choosing a route, compare its distance, stated difficulty and waymarking; local trail conditions can change, so check them before setting out.
Getting to Ituren
You can reach Ituren and Zubieta via the N-121A, the turn-off for Doneztebe/Santesteban, and then the NA-170. This sequence of roads provides a clear guide for the drive; check current conditions before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Ultzama, Beire, Asiáin, Cizur Menor, AllĂn, Javier, NavascuĂ©s, Fitero
For the main travel overview: Navarra.
