Surroundings

Forever green landscape

For nature lovers and those who love active tourism, Etxalar is the ideal place, since it is situated in the northeast of Navarre, in the Atlantic Pyrenees, covered by deep woods, fields covered by fern haystacks and green pastures. The ever attractive Señorio de Bertiz is nearby. It is a natural area of 2,040 hectares and with its extensive mass of trees, its palatial buildings and gardens filled with several exotic species, it is one of the most exceptionally beautiful visits one should make. Zugarramurdi, famous for its grottos and caves, is a wild and mysterious corner whose akelarres and witch ceremonies are legendary.

diseño web eskiz elizondo navarra

Columbariums

They are constructions or platforms which are found on tree tops, mainly beech trees, which serve as hunting hides for pigeons in their migratory flight over the most accesible parts of the Pyrenees towards the south. This way, the hunters use the most privileged positions to hunt them between October and November. Nets are also used on the hill between the mountains Larún and Peña Plata, in Etxalar and the French village of Sara. It is a tradition which dates back to the 16th century. The flocks of pigeons that come from France are tricked into flying down into the strategically placed nets after the hunters have thrown wooden plates towards them which are painted white to look like falcons.

Very nearby, we find the Restaurant “Etxalar”, on the road Pamplona-Irún (km 70), which is located in total nature. Its aspect is one of a typical farmhouse from the Navarese mountain, where the cooking has always reflected the virtues and secrets of this noble land.