Experience: Four Hiking Routes Through Navarra Along the Cañada Real de los Roncaleses

Arrive at Catalin Garde, settle in, and let us take you to the Museum of Memory to discover firsthand the history and ways of life of the Roncalese. Enjoy a walk to the Idoia chapel, explore the village, and return for a Pyrenean dinner that we’ll arrange with you. A hint? Migas de pastor, Roncal cheese, beef from our farm, suckling lamb, a good broth, vegetables…

Accommodation: Catalingarde
Dinner with mountain products: Catalingarde
Location: Isaba

Route Link

The starting point is the hairpin curve, next to the La Contienda cross-country ski station. We will explore the Larra Karst Nature Reserve by following the snowshoe trail that runs parallel to the ski tracks, reaching the Pescamou Pass, from where we will continue on a clear path in summer (or follow ski and snowshoe tracks in winter) until reaching the foot of Murlong, on our right.

The path is easy in summer, but in winter, snowshoes or touring skis are essential. Snowshoes can be rented at the Larra-Belagua Nordic Ski Center two kilometers before our starting point.

If we want to extend the route, we can return to Pescamou and climb from there to the Arlás peak (2,040 m). If you like mountaineering challenges, this is the starting point for two iconic mountains: Anie Peak (2,507 m) and Añelarra Peak (2,357 m), the latter being less demanding. All three ascents are relatively easy in summer, shorter for Arlás and much longer for the other two. If there’s snow, high-mountain equipment is necessary: ice axe and crampons.

Recommendations: Stop at Venta Juan Pito for migas, red beans, and lamb chops. Wander into the forest from Mata de Haya. Visit the Marengo cheese factory and bring home a good cheese. Have a beer or refreshment at La Contienda ski facilities. Try cross-country skiing in winter, accompanied by our host, Marian. Take the afternoon to visit the towns of Urzainki, Roncal, and Burgui.

Accommodation: Catalingarde
Breakfast: Catalingarde
Dinner with mountain products: Catalingarde
Location: Isaba

Route Link

It’s time to leave Isaba and head south to the spectacular Heredad Beragu Hotel, our next accommodation; but first, we’ll stop to encounter the Cañada Real de los Roncaleses at the Leyre Monastery, a landmark in Navarra’s history and the starting point for this excursion.

We drive from Isaba to the Leyre Monastery. The first section of the road, up to the Yesa Reservoir, is breathtaking, passing through the Foz de Burgui. At Leyre, the route follows the Cañada Real up to the La Cerrada Pass, where we’ll turn right to the dramatic Paso del Oso, a gap in the rock wall offering a view to the other side of the mountain.

On the way back, instead of taking the descent route, we’ll continue straight to the path leading to the Castellar summit, a spectacular viewpoint of Yesa and La Jacetania. From the top, we can return by the same path or take the trail that follows the ridge until reaching a narrow and steep descent leading to the Leyre Monolith viewpoint, which will bring us back to the Cañada Real and then to Leyre.

We will finish the hike by visiting the Benedictine Monastery of San Salvador de Leyre, a Romanesque gem combining history and art, built between the 10th and 16th centuries and the spiritual cradle of the Kingdom of Pamplona, later Navarra.

From there, we’ll head by road to Old Gallipienzo, a medieval town where the Heredad Beragu Hotel is located, where we’ll be welcomed with a good wine and a dinner made with local, seasonal produce: vegetables, meats, and cheeses wisely prepared by our hosts, Ramón and Patxi.

Recommendations: Visiting the Leyre Monastery is a must. Admire the views from Castellar. Visit Sangüesa and the Santa María la Real portal. Explore Javier Castle. Enjoy a steak at the Mediavilla Grill in Sangüesa. Relax in the garden or the medieval lounge of the Heredad Beragu Hotel with a good wine.

Accommodation: Heredad Beragu
Breakfast: Catalingarde
Dinner with seasonal products: Heredad Beragu Restaurant
Location: Old Gallipienzo

We head south towards the desert, the far south of Navarra, to discover the steppe landscape of Las Bardenas, where the shepherds from the Roncal and Salazar valleys bring their flocks for winter along the ancient Cañada Real de los Roncaleses.

We propose a route starting from Castildetierra, the iconic rock formation with parking access from Arguedas. It’s a short, seven-kilometer walk to explore the Cortinas Ravine, climb to the top of Cabezo de las Cortinillas and admire the magnificent landscape, pass by the Cortinillas Lake and reservoir, and return to Castildetierra.

A seemingly deserted landscape, yet home to many bird species, such as the bustard; reptiles, amphibians, and mammals like foxes and wild boars, along with an interesting steppe flora, some of which are endemic.

Recommendations: Visit the wineries of San Martin de Unx. Stroll through Olite and explore the Royal Palace. Admire Las Bardenas from the Bardena Blanca Viewpoint. Enjoy vegetables prepared by Aitor Lorente at the Camino de las Bardenas Hotel Restaurant. Relax at the Monastery of La Oliva. Return to Heredad Beragu for an evening of wine.

Accommodation: Heredad Beragu
Breakfast: Heredad Beragu
Dinner with seasonal products: Heredad Beragu Restaurant
Location: Old Gallipienzo

After an incredible breakfast at Heredad Beragu, we say goodbye. Let us know your return route, and we’ll recommend visits and routes to make your journey back as pleasant as possible.

Accommodation: Heredad Beragu
Breakfast: Heredad Beragu
Location: Old Gallipienzo