A tour by car through the Baztán region. Elizondo and Zugarramurdi
The Baztán region is located in the north of Navarra, being part of the so-called green valleys of the Pyrenees. It is one of the most beautiful areas of Spain where the Baztán River is found.
The Baztán region has recently become famous thanks to Dolores Redondo, the author of the Baztán Trilogy, three suspense novels that have also been made into movies.
In this article we are going to take a tour of the main places in Baztán that you can do by car in one day to enjoy its towns, its architecture, its landscapes and many other things that will surprise you.
What to see in the Baztán region
Elizondo, the capital
The main town in the Baztán region is Elizondo, a place where we recommend you stay to visit the area, although it is not very far from Pamplona in case you want to get there from the capital of Navarra. If you arrive from there we recommend you go to Ziga where the best viewpoint from which to see the Baztán Valley is.
Elizondo, the heart of the Baztán Valley, is crossed by said river, dividing the town into two different parts but with their special charm. We recommend walking along Calle Jaime Urrutia, which takes you through the beautiful stately homes and Gothic mansions, typical of Elizondo, and which Amaia Salazar, the protagonist of the Baztán Trilogy, knows so well.
You must not miss crossing the famous Txokoto Bridge, from where you have great views of the river and the houses that overlook it. Other places of interest are the Town Hall, the imposing Church of Santiago or the Baztán Museum, where you can learn about the history of the valley since the 19th century.
On the way to Urdax
From Elizondo we can head north through the heart of the Baztán Valley, leaving aside towns such as Amaiur or Azpilikueta, where the Church of San Andrés is located, until we reach Alto de Otxondo through a winding road that continues descending, with incredible views of even the Cantabrian Sea to Urdax.
Urdax is a small town with a lot of history, very close to the border with France, where the old Monastery of San Salvador is located, built in the 9th century, although with several subsequent renovations. Next to it is an 18th-century mill where you can learn more about the milling of wheat.
From there we can continue west until we reach Zugarramurdi, another of the great attractions of the Baztán region. Not without first visiting the Cueva de Urdax.
Zugarramurdi, the witches and their cave
Getting to Zugarramurdi from Elizondo will take a long time due to the winding road, but it will be worth it. After crossing the town, you reach the famous Cueva de Zugarramurdi, which became famous with Alex de la Iglesia’s film entitled Las Brujas de Zugarramurdi.
After crossing the entrance door of the enclosure you will go down some stairs and you will quickly be in front of one of the most impressive caves that we can find in Spain, with 120 meters in length, 30 in width and up to 12 in height. Being inside is impressive. There are also other smaller caves and a path that takes you around.
In the 16th century, this cave witnessed different covens that led to a process of the Inquisition that led several women to the stake, giving rise to the story of the Witches of Zugarramurdi. In the nearby Museum of Witches you can learn more about this episode and about the world of witchcraft.
You can find more information on the official Baztán tourism page.
