Open Travel Guide
Hiking in Navarre

Navarre Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Explore the best hiking trails and trekking routes in Navarre.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

This guide covers 11+ hiking trails in Navarre — Camino Francés — Roncesvalles to Pamplona, Selva de Irati Forest Loop and Bardenas Reales Desert Walk top the list. Every recommendation carries its practical details: typical costs, the best time to visit, and what to know before you commit.

Navarre (Navarra / Nafarroa) is an autonomous community in northern Spain that packs an extraordinary range of landscapes and cultures into one compact region — from the high Pyrenean passes where pilgrims begin the Camino de Santiago, through ancient beech forests and dramatic badlands, to the fertile Ebro valley wine country. Pamplona, the vibrant capital, is world-famous for the Sanfermines festival and its thundering Running of the Bulls each July, but the city rewards visitors year-round with a well-preserved medieval centre, thriving pintxos culture, and easy access to wild Navarrese countryside.

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

  1. 1

    Camino Francés — Roncesvalles to Pamplona

    46 km (full stage); 25 km to Zubiri (first day)2 days to Pamplona; 1 day to ZubirihardStart 957m, Napoleon's Pass 1,410m, finish Pamplona 449m

  2. 2

    Selva de Irati Forest Loop

    12 km circuit4–5 hoursmoderate950m–1,340m; 390m gain

  3. 3

    Bardenas Reales Desert Walk

    8–20 km (multiple route options)2–6 hourseasyMinimal — 250–400m; nearly flat terrain

  4. 4

    Foz de Arbayún Gorge Trail

    5 km (rim trail with viewpoints)2–3 hoursmoderate800–1,050m; 250m gain

  5. 5

    Sierra de Urbasa High Plateau

    10–15 km (multiple loop options across the plateau)3–5 hoursmoderate900–1,175m; 275m gain

  6. 6

    Mesa de los Tres Reyes Summit

    18 km return7–9 hourshard1,400m (trailhead) to 2,444m summit; 1,044m gain

  7. 7

    Santuario de San Miguel de Aralar Circuit

    14 km circuit5–6 hoursmoderate600m (Mugiro) to 1,435m (sanctuary); 835m gain

  8. 8

    Pamplona Camino Urban Walk

    9 km (to Cizur Menor village)2.5–3.5 hours one wayeasyFlat to gently rolling — 449m to 490m

  9. 9

    Valle del Roncal Ridge Walk

    12 km circuit4–5 hoursmoderate690m (valley) to 1,400m; 710m gain

  10. 10

    Foz de Lumbier Gorge Walk

    4 km return1.5–2 hourseasyFlat — 490m throughout

  11. 11

    Ochagavía to Irati Forest Day Hike

    16 km return5–6 hoursmoderate760m (Ochagavía) to 1,100m; 340m gain

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Easy

Flat or gently rolling terrain, well-marked paths, no equipment beyond walking shoes

Moderate

Some elevation gain, hiking boots recommended, 3–6 hours duration

Challenging

Significant elevation, full-day commitment, experience required

Expert

High altitude, mountaineering skills, potentially technical terrain

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Navarre.

Items

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.

Medium

Hazard: Rapid weather change: Pyrenean conditions can switch from sunny to stormy within hours — always check forecast at aemet.es before high-altitude hikes

Medium

Hazard: Snow and ice: Mountain trails above 1,500m may be covered November–May; check conditions locally

Medium

Hazard: Griffon vultures: Common at Foz de Arbayún — they are harmless but their wingspans (2.5m) can startle hikers

Medium

Hazard: Bull farms: The Bardenas Reales is a working landscape — stay on marked paths and respect livestock fencing

Medium

Hazard: Wild boar: Present in Irati Forest — make noise while walking; they are shy and rarely dangerous to walkers

Related topics