It's no wonder that the Basque word Xareta means ‘Land of Forests’.
This is a region of magical landscapes, villages rich with history, legend, and well-preserved architecture. Old trails once used by merchants, pilgrims and smugglers bear witness to the close historical ties maintained by the inhabitants of Xareta over the centuries. Four towns that share a history and a language which continue to work together on cross-border projects and programmes under the auspices of the European Union.
These magical peaceful mountains are the perfect place to spend the day or several days visiting the many historical and natural treasures.The valley of Xareta spans four municipalities located on either side of the border : Zugarramurdi and Urdax in Navarra, Spain, and Sare and Ainhoa in the Lapurdi region of France. Although a series of treaties have defined the border over the years, the boundary has been blurred by mountains, verdant pastures, rivers, and dense forests of beech, oak, chestnut and pine. It's no wonder that the Basque word Xareta means ‘Land of Forests’.
This is a region of magical landscapes, villages rich with history, legend, and well-preserved architecture. Old trails once used by merchants, pilgrims and smugglers bear witness to the close historical ties maintained by the inhabitants of Xareta over the centuries. Four towns that share a history and a language which continue to work together on cross-border projects and programmes under the auspices of the European Union.
These magical peaceful mountains are the perfect place to spend the day or several days visiting the many historical and natural treasures.
Walking: The blue pony loop trail ('pottokaren bidea')
A looped walking trail links the four villages of the region. The route is marked by a small blue pony painted on stones along the way and runs peacefully through forests and meadows. It's a gentle easy walk, suitable for families even novice walkers. The entire loop takes over 12 hours, but the most popular stretch runs from the caves of Urdazubi-Urdax, to Zugarramurdi, to the Caves of Sare. Download brochure in PDF: Walking: The blue pony loop trail ('pottokaren bidea')
Passport-guide card - discover Xareta and take advantage of special rates
A passport-guide card has been made available free of charge by the four towns in Xareta. Visitors can pick one up at the main sites and at the tourist offices.It's easy to use: by showing the passport-guide card, visitors enjoy discounted rates for admission to a number of sites: the Larrun train, the town of Sare and its belltower, the Caves of Sare, the Caves of Urdax and Zugarramurdi, the monastery and cloister of Urdax, the Zugarramurdi Museum of Witchcraft, Maison du Patrimoine in Ainhoa, and more.
The passport-guide card can be used all year except July and August. It is not valid for groups. Each passport allows 4 people to take advantage of the discounts offered at each location. Your passport is stamped every time it's used.
Xareta is the land of the Akelarre, or Witches' Sabbat. Legend has it that these Sabbat gatherings took place in the Zugarramurdi caves, the meadows of Urdax and at the foot of Mt Larrun.
Many of the people living in the four towns in Xareta are linked by historical family ties. For this reason, the Franco-Spanish border posts were not taken into account when the secondary road network was designed.
