The must-see natural preserves include the Reserva Integral de Lizardoia and Parque Natural de Señorio de Bértiz. The area is also part of the famed Camino de Santiago route.
There are also several outdoor adventures companies operating in the area. A major one, Servicios Turísticos Erreka is a great all-around company offering various adventures. Their services include rafting, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding and 4x4 vehicles.
Hiking and Walking Adventures in the Navarre
Celebrated hiking routes slice through the Navarre, prime for on-foot adventures. The most famous route is the GR 11, which passes through the Navarre as it cuts a path along the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediteranean. Check carefully first to be sure your children can handle the route's distance and difficulty, or that you can handle it with a baby or toddler pack on your back or front.
There are several other hiking routes in the area that make for a fine day of fresh air, exercise and captivating views. You can also contact the footpath commission of the Federación Navarra de Deportes de Montaña y Escalada., or FNDME (located at Calle Paulino Caballero, 13 in Pamplona) for advice and route maps. You can typically walk small portions of the trail with ease, and the route maps can help you determine where to best do that.
Some popular routes include:
- GR 1, or the Historic Route. This is a medium difficulty trail spanning about 100 miles. Along the walk, hikers pass by unique architecture, historic attractions and lovely countryside. There are spots to stay overnight in Santa Cruz de Campezo, Espejo, Gurendes, Bernedo, Espejo and Salinas de Añana.
- GR 20, or Aralar/Aralarko Bira Round Trip. This actually starts in the Guipúzcoa region in the Basque Country, and is a circular path spanning about 50 miles. The route passes lovely Basque villages and the Navarre mountain foothills. It connects to three other hiking routes. Accomodations and supplies can be found en route in Lekunberri, Astiz, Irurtzun, Huarte Arakil, Lakuntza, Arbizu, Etxarri, Ataun, Larraitz, Amezketa, Betelu, Errazkin and Baraibar.
- GR 65, or Santiago Path. It follows the much-traversed namesake pilgrimage route. The route, which actually commences in the Czech Republic, stretches from the Navarre border to La Rioja border in this segment. The path is about 100 miles long. Stay overnight or get supplies in Roncesvalles, Burguete, Espinal, Zubiri, Larrasoaña, Huarte, Villava, Pamplona, Zizur, Puente la Reina, Zirauki, Estella, Iratxe, Los Arcos, Viana, Sangüesa, Aibar, Monreal and Obanos. A network of pilgrims' hostels are available for accommodation.
Water Adventures in Pamplona's Navarre Region
- Mar del Pirineo (located in Sangüesa) is a campsite, but they can arrange a wide array of aquatic activities, including canoeing, kayaking and water skiing.
- Fitero Spa (located on Extramuros in Fitero, about an hour southwest of Pamplona) has been relaxing tourists since the Romans relaxed in its waters. This is one of Spain’s best-preserved ancient spas. There are numerous spa treatments available in its legendary healing waters, including underwater massage, various bath and shower treatments and saunas.
Skiiing in the Navarre Region
The main ski resort in Navarra is Abrodi-Salazar (located in Ochagavia), which features about 20 miles of cross-country slopes. The resort features a ski school, aid station, a bar/cafeteria and ski rentals.
Eco-Tourism in the Pamplona Area
Parque Natural de Bardenas Reales (located in southeast Navarre) spans over 100,000 acres and was recently designated an official biosphere reserve. With a partial desert landscape, this special space features dreamy landscapes of massive rocky cliffs. The bleached lands of the Bardena Blanca are downright mesmerizing. Throughout the park, visitors could spot golden eagles, Egyptian vultures and pygmy white-toothed shrews.
The combination of the urban setting of Pamplona and the amazingly diverse outdoor adventures makes the Navarre Region an ideal family adventure vacation.
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