DESCRIPTION AND WHAT TO SEE IN VALCARLOS/LUZAIDE

It is a land rich in forests, regattas and historical events. In the year 778 Charlemagne was returning with his troops from his failed expedition against Zaragoza and his rearguard was attacked by enraged Vascones. On those paths, in the Carlos Valley, the bloody encounter took place. The arrival of the pilgrims towards Santiago was more peaceful, and since then Luzaide has been the starting point of the Camino through Navarrese lands. A town that spreads across the valley in eight neighborhoods inhabited by hospitable people who have known how to adapt to life on the border and who preserve their ancient traditions that have their maximum expression in the dance of the Bolantes de Valcarlos.

CHURCH OF SANTIAGO APOSTOL

It was destroyed during the War of the Convention and rebuilt shortly afterwards between 1799 and 1802. The cloister and tower were renovated in 1859.

HERMITAGE OF ST. CUPCAKE

It is a rural humiliation-type construction rebuilt in 1976 and has beautiful views of the valley. Luzaide / Valcarlos are EIGHT NEIGHBORHOODS, which are distributed throughout the valley, the largest of all being that of Elizaldea, where the church and the town hall are located.

THE PORT OF IBAÑETA

It joins Valcarlos with Roncesvalles with its long slopes and beautiful landscapes, and at the top we will find the hermitage of San Salvador and the monolith in memory of Roldan, who died in battle and protagonist of the famous medieval song.

SCULPTURE

Monument to the pilgrim. Work of the sculptor Jorge Oteiza, located in the center of the town. Statue in honor of the pilgrims of the “Way of Europe” that remembers all those who walk towards Santiago de Compostela. Read more

 

Monument to the bertsolari Bordel. Bust of Juan Echamendi, BORDEL, bertsolari de Luzaide. Located very close to the local school. Work by Cesáreo Soulé. It was inaugurated on the occasion

EXHIBITION CENTER

“778. THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES, EXHIBITION CENTER AND INFORMATION POINT” In Luzaide/ Valcarlos.
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MONUMENT TO THE PILGRIM

Work of the sculptor Jorge Oteiza, located in the center of town. Statue in honor of the pilgrims of the “Way of Europe” that remembers all those who walk towards Santiago de Compostela.

VALCARLOS INTERACTIVE TOURIST PDF

DOWNLOAD THE INTERACTIVE PDF AND TAKE IT ON YOUR MOBILE

TIPS

-Luzaide / Valcarlos is in border lands and to get there it is necessary to travel the long mountain pass of Ibañeta, in good condition but with many curves. Drive with caution.

-You will find numerous rural houses, restaurants, services and the famous Ventas, which already on the border with France, constitute a large shopping center where many French people go in search of the best prices.

-After visiting the Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles, Valcarlos becomes a pleasant enclave in which to enjoy the enabled trails and recharge your batteries in its restaurants. Following the road, and past the border, is San Juan de Pie de Puerto, with its interesting historic center.

-It has a tourist office and exhibition center where they will kindly inform you. Learn more.

TIME

 

With the collaboration of the City Council OFFICIAL WEB

MAP AND ROUTES LUZAIDE/VALCARLOS

VIDEO

LUZAIDE/VALCARLOS HIKING

We offer you a pleasant walk through the surroundings of Valcarlos, along a path that will run through the vicinity of the regatta called Xatanerreka and the Azoleta neighborhood. A circular route that runs through wooded areas of chestnut trees and riverside vegetation, mixed with grasslands and farmhouses. The route is signposted and can be shortened along alternative paths according to each individual's strength. Distance: 4,2 km.

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  • XOMORRO

    XOMORRO

    (Distance: 3,5 km) ——————— Starting from the neighborhood of Gainekoleta, the signposted route is a simple and pleasant walk that runs through chestnut groves, crosses regattas and borders pastures, in a beautiful natural setting. The signposted route, which does not present any difficulty, is partly located on the other side of the border with France.

  • IRALEPO

    IRALEPO 

    ( Distance: 2,5 km ) —————————— The signposted route to the Iralepo pass, at the base of the Karrobiskarra summit, ascends gently between grasses and oaks. From the hill itself or, even better, from the Karrobiskarra watchtower, we will enjoy magnificent views over the valley. Subsequently, the path descends, running over the hamlets of the Gaindola neighborhood, and returns to the path that constitutes the beginning of the route and which, in a gentle descent, will take us back to the point of origin.

  • AZOLETA – XATANERREKA

    AZOLETA – XATANERREKA  

    (Distance: 4,5 km) —————————— Pleasant walk in the surroundings of Luzaide-Valcarlos, the path we propose will allow us to explore the surroundings of the regatta called Xatanerreka and the Azoleta neighborhood. The path, which forms a circuit with a central variant, runs between chestnut tree-lined areas and riverside vegetation, mixed with grasslands and farmhouses. In its final section it brings us closer to the hermitage of María Magdalena, from which we will enjoy splendid views over the valley. The green route ——————- would be the short 1,7 km route to the Sta. Magdalena hermitage and returning through the cemetery. GOOGLE MAPS

  • NEIGHBOURHOODS

    NEIGHBOURHOODS

    Luzaide / Valcarlos is made up of eight neighborhoods scattered throughout the valley, some larger and others, like this one in Azoleta, smaller, but all with the characteristic flavor of Basque hamlets. Irauzketa First building built in Luzaide (around 1100). The Pilgrims Hospital depended on him, originally the Church-Hospital of San Juan de Irauzketa. It is located in front of the current Parish. Erreklusa Farmhouse located three kilometers from the center of Luzaide, on the road to Ibañeta. Of the oldest in the town, there is abundant documentation, starting from the 1259th century, referred to as a hostel with a hermit and possible origin of the current neighborhood of Gainekoleta. La Campana The current Navarlaz house was a pilgrim hospital dependent on Roncesvalles since XNUMX. Called “The Bell” perhaps because it was equipped with one to guide the pilgrim. There was a forge nearby. Mocosail According to the legend on the site of this […]

WHAT TO DO IN VALCARLOS/LUZAIDE

VALCARLOS RESTAURANTS

VALCARLOS RESTAURANTS
VALCARLOS SERVICES

VALCARLOS SERVICES
VALCARLOS ACCOMMODATION

VALCARLOS ACCOMMODATION

EVENTS

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EXHIBITION CENTER AND TOURISM OFFICE

We will find in the so-called Casa de las Monjas an interesting Exhibition Center that covers the history of the town and its traditions. You will be able to enjoy the following sections: 778, THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. It tells us about the defeat suffered by Charlemagne's rearguard at the hands of the brave Basques as they passed through the valley. Historical information and archaeological remains of the Roman road along which the troops arrived. VALCARLOS BALLS. Exhibition of the typical costumes used by the inhabitants of the valley in their famous dance. A display of elegance and color. ETHNOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON TRADITIONAL CUISINE. A typical Luzaide kitchen has been recreated, with the town's residents themselves providing the utensils and furniture inherited from a long culinary tradition. The center is also a tourist office, where you will be kindly attended to. Its opening depends on the tourist office, and thus it is only open from April to October 15, with the following hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00-13:00/ 15:00-18:00. Sunday: 10:00-13:00. Closed Monday. The schedule may vary depending on holidays or designated days, if you have any questions, please make your query by email. CONTACT: Tel.: 948 79 01 99 Email: turismo@luzaide-valcarlos.net Address: Exhibition Center. […]

EXHIBITION CENTER AND TOURISM OFFICE
VALCARLOS BALLS

Easter Sunday is the big day, when streets and squares are filled with happy music and elegantly dressed dancers. A tradition that is lived intensely in each home and is lovingly transmitted from generation to generation. A spectacle of colorful colors that was declared an Asset of Intangible Cultural Interest of Navarra since 2012. A great variety of dances are preserved, which are danced by different characters: ziratepekos, gorris, zapuriak, makilariak and bolantak, in addition to those that close the courtship that is atxo ta tupinak. Bolant-iantzak: it is a courtship dance that is used to take possession of the square. They come there, in formation, dancing the Martxa. Upon reaching the square the Bolant-iantza begins. Jauziak: they are danced in a circle, initially following the counter-clockwise direction. The dance is performed only with the feet and without any gymnastic display. Kalapita-iantzak: set of dances (xarmantia, kadera-iantza, irri-iantza, argi-iantza, and baso-iantza) that have never taken to the square. They danced them for fun or to pass the time. Makilarienak: dance whose protagonist is the stick. It is a series of continuous evolutions and turns, which each makilari executes with the makila (stick) in their hands, around the […]

VALCARLOS BALLS
LUZAIDE / VALCARLOS THE FIRST OF THE PATH OF SANTIAGO

Luzaide / Valcarlos is the gateway from which the pilgrimage to Santiago begins, it has numerous rural houses and a municipal hostel. There are two paths, one that takes us through the peaks but is usually closed in winter and the one that runs through the valley, always open, and where, in one of its thickets, the ambush occurred that ended with the rearguard of Charlemagne and with the life of Roland, nephew of the king, and protagonist of the famous Song. The town has numerous rural houses, a municipal hostel, several restaurants and the hospitality of its people accustomed to seeing tired pilgrims climbing the long slopes of the port of Ibañeta on their way to Santiago.

LUZAIDE / VALCARLOS THE FIRST OF THE PATH OF SANTIAGO
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WHAT TO DO AROUND LUZAIDE/VALCARLOS

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Trekking
Trekking

Trekking

Roncal, Salazar and Javier area
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Activities
Activities

Activities

Roncal, Salazar and Javier area
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Restaurants
Restaurants

Restaurants

Roncal, Salazar, Javier and Auñamendi Zone
ALL PRODUCTS
Accommodation
Accommodation

Accommodation

RONCAL AREA, SALAZAR, JAVIER AND AUÑAMENDI
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VISITS IN THE SURROUNDINGS

ROUTE AND SURROUNDINGS

IRATI JUNGLE ROUTE - SALAZAR VALLEY

OCHAGAVÍA - OTSAGABIA

RONCESVALLES - ORREAGA

JAURRIETA

EZCAROZ

IRATI JUNGLE

VIRGIN OF THE SNOW

WHAT TO DO IN NAVARRE
GETAWAYS IN NAVARRE
ACCOMMODATIONS IN NAVARRA
NAVARRA ROUTES
WHAT TO SEE IN NAVARRA

Here you can find other places of interest in El Turismo Fácil to visit in Navarre, the Basque Country, Lanzarote, Girona, The Rioja, Madrid, Mallorca y the Camino de Santiago.

NAVARRE TOURISM