What to do · Irati Forest
Loop around the Irabia reservoir
Information
- Price
- On your own · €7 fee per car in high season
- Duration
- 3 h 10
- Distance
- 10.9 km
- Season
- Spring to autumn
- Who it's for
- Families and walkers
The Irabia reservoir sits at the heart of the Irati Forest, in Orbaitzeta, and the beech wood runs down to the water on all its shores. It is fed by the Urbeltz, Urtxuria and Egurgio streams. The full loop is one of Irati's flattest long walks: almost eleven kilometres with very little climbing.
A dam from the 1920s
The reservoir was built in 1921-22 and raised in 1942-44. The dam is 40 m high and holds enough water to regulate the flow of the Irati in summer, a river that drives eight power stations over 40 km.
The loop, kilometre by kilometre
The local trail SL NA-53C circles the reservoir: 10.9 km, about 3 hours 10 minutes and 80 m of ascent, according to the Aezkoa valley. It is circular, so you return to the start without retracing your steps. Almost the whole route is under trees, close to the water. At the tail of the reservoir, at the opposite end from the dam, is the free Egurgio refuge, with ten places, no booking and an untreated water fountain; it is only for mountaineers on a crossing. Bring water from the car.
Three places to start
Visit Navarra gives three starting points:
- The two dam car parks, about 15 minutes by car from the Arrazola area. They put you right on the shore.
- The Casas de Irati car park, on the Ochagavía side. From there the loop is lengthened by the out-and-back path to the reservoir.
- The Azpegi refuge, beyond the Arms Factory, by an access that pays no fee.
Arrazola, the fee and the dam
From Orbaitzeta you drive up in about 8 minutes to the Arrazola area, with an information point, rangers, a picnic area with barbecues and toilets in high season. In high season, vehicles arriving at Arrazola or continuing to the dam pay the maintenance fee: €7 for a car and €3 for a motorbike, or €4 and €2 with the discount ticket. Outside high season parking is free. The two dam car parks are small: in autumn, arrive early.
If you have energy left: other circular routes
From Arrazola and the dam other signposted trails of the valley leave:
- SL NA-54C Erlan-Irabia: 4.6 km, 110 m of ascent, 1 h 15.
- SL NA-52C Plaza Beunza track: 5.2 km, 90 m, 1 h 50.
- SL NA-57B Ursario Forest: 6.7 km, 260 m, 2 h 45.
- SL NA-58B Mendilatz Reserve: 5.3 km, 390 m, 2 h 20.
To sleep nearby, the Hostal Rural Mendilatz is at kilometre 4 of the reservoir road.
Tips
- Ask at Arrazola before setting out In high season, the rangers at the information point know the state of the trail after rain or storms: if any stretch is closed, they will tell you there.
- Combine the dam with the Arms Factory The Royal Munitions Factory is on the same side of the forest, a few kilometres from Orbaitzeta.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to walk round the Irabia reservoir?
About 3 hours 10 minutes for the 10.9 km, with 80 m of ascent.
Can you start at Casas de Irati?
Yes, Visit Navarra gives it as one of the three starting points, although the most direct entrance is via Orbaitzeta and the dam.
Do you have to pay?
In high season, €7 per car at Arrazola and the dam. The Azpegi access pays nothing.
Is there shade?
Almost the whole path runs under the beech wood.
As a family
