Aoiz: River Landscape, Walking Trails and Culture

Aoiz combines a landscape shaped by mountains, rivers and gorges with historic buildings and local traditions. Outdoor sports are as much a part of the area as walks along the Irati and the architecture in the centre. To help you plan your stay, consider the specific differences between the routes: their layout, length and elevation gain offer different points of reference, while cultural activities provide another way to discover Aoiz.

Hiking and the landscape along the Irati

The Aoiz tourism portal provides six route guides for the local trail network. The Sendero del Irati is a six-kilometre circular trail that starts and ends in Aoiz. It runs parallel to the river and passes its islands and riverside woodlands. The Irati surroundings in Aoiz’s hiking area are designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Another option is the Ermita de San Román–Río Irati hiking route: it is 6.6 kilometres long, follows a linear route, and is listed as low difficulty with an elevation gain of 177 metres. Following the banks of the Irati, it passes through a pine forest to an icehouse and a viewpoint overlooking the river. Compared with the six-kilometre circular trail, it differs not only slightly in length but, above all, in route layout. Check trail conditions before setting off.

Other routes lead from the church of San Miguel through different landscapes. The Peña Zarikieta route follows the Senda de los Carboneros and the Sierra de Zarikieta to Peña Zarikieta. The route to Rala passes through the Barranco de las 3 Fuentes to the village of Rala. The Muga Erdozain route crosses the Canal de Navarra; it then climbs via Mirabuenos to Ollaran. Axarimendia also starts at San Miguel, climbs to Axarimendia and returns along a path parallel to the Irati.

Audio walks and activities

“Cuéntame Aoiz” is an audio tour about the history, culture, customs and curiosities of Aoiz. For a different thematic focus on the river area and its industrial past, try the “Caminar Aoiz – Agoitz ibilian” audio walk: the route follows the Irati river landscape past the ruins of the El Irati S.A. sawmill. The walk takes 90 minutes and is divided into five audio tracks. Check the accessibility information before setting out; the municipal website is the right place to find access information for the audio experiences.

Rafting trips are offered on the Irati in Aoiz and are suitable for families and groups of friends. As the season and availability depend on the provider, check both with them before planning your trip. The walking trails and rafting offer different ways to experience the river landscape; they are separate activities and each requires its own planning.

Old town, buildings and festivals

Gothic and modern civil architecture alternate in the historic centre. The houses built of finely dressed stone feature pointed or round-arched doorways, wooden eaves and, in some cases, coats of arms. The medieval Puente de Auzola, also known as Bidelepu, adds a distinctive touch: the bridge spans the Irati with four arches.

The church of San Miguel was built from the 15th century onwards over an earlier Romanesque church and retains its sturdy tower. Its main altarpiece was made by Juan de Anchieta in 1580. The building brings together several historical periods: the earlier church, the start of construction on San Miguel and the later altarpiece.

The festival calendar also has regular highlights. The main patron saint celebrations in honour of Saint Michael take place on the second Sunday in August. Carnival is celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday; festivities include fancy dress, collecting eggs and chistorra from houses, and sharing a meal. On one of the festival days, the “Jota del chocolate” is performed after a chocolate celebration.

Aoiz as a destination for your hotel stay

If you are planning a hotel stay in Aoiz, your trip’s focus can help you choose when to visit. For hiking, routes can be compared by layout, length and listed difficulty; the August date is a useful reference for the patron saint celebrations. For seasonal rafting trips, check availability directly with the provider.

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