🌿 Xareta Valley: the wooded land that unites two countries
There are places that need no introduction, but when you discover them you wonder how you could have lived without knowing them. The Xareta Valley is one of them. Located in the northwestern tip of Navarre, this cross-border valley between Spain and France hides one of the most magical and authentic landscapes in northern Spain.
Its name says it all: Xareta means "Wooded Land" in Basque. And that is no exaggeration. Beech trees, oaks, chestnut trees, endlessly green meadows, and streams winding between hills create a fairytale setting that seems taken from another era. A place where borders fade into nature and where four villages — Zugarramurdi and Urdazubi-Urdax in Navarre, Sara and Ainhoa in the French Basque Country — have shared culture, language, and history for centuries.
If you stay at Casa Angiz in Sunbilla, the Xareta Valley is less than 30 minutes away by car. A perfect distance to make it one of the star plans of your getaway to northern Navarre. And if you are planning your trip, don’t miss our guide on what to do for a weekend in the Baztán Valley, Xareta’s perfect neighbor.
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🏘️ The four villages of Xareta: where Spain and France embrace
One of the most special things about the Xareta Valley is that it knows no borders. Its four municipalities — two in Navarre and two in the French Basque Country — have always lived with their backs turned to the line that divides them. The same surnames, the same language, the same festivals, and the same smuggler routes that crossed the mountains at night with their loads. That is Xareta.
The famous "Witches' Village". Its caves were the setting for the great witch gathering of 1609 and today house the impressive Witch Museum. A place full of history, mystery, and legend that you can't miss.
Home to Navarre's only Premonstratensian monastery and some impressive karst caves formed hundreds of thousands of years ago. A peaceful, authentic village on the banks of the Urtxume River.
At the foot of the mythical summit of Larun (905 m), Sara preserves that aura of mystery that centuries have woven around its archives burned in the French Revolution. The rack railway to Larun is an essential experience.
Considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its half-timbered facades and flowers on every balcony make it a postcard-perfect scene. Built in the Middle Ages along the Camino de Santiago.
🗺️ A territory with centuries of shared history
The history of Xareta is also the history of its people. Merchants, pilgrims, and smugglers crossed these mountains for centuries along paths that can now be walked on foot. The old exchange routes between the two sides of the border are now marked trails that lead travelers through landscapes that have not changed much in recent centuries.
In 1610, the Inquisition Court of Logroño condemned 31 residents of Zugarramurdi accused of witchcraft. That trial, one of the most famous in Spanish history, turned this small village into a pilgrimage site for thousands of visitors who come every year drawn by the legend. And in 2013, Álex de la Iglesia immortalized these caves in the film "Witching & Bitching".
Today, the four municipalities work together on cross-border projects promoted by the European Union to improve their tourism offering. A guide-passport available free of charge at tourist offices gives access to special rates at the region's main attractions. Ask for it when you arrive.
If you want to discover more about northern Navarre before your visit, our guide on what to see in Navarre in 3 days will give you plenty of ideas for combining Xareta with other must-see corners of the region.
🎯 What to see and do in the Xareta Valley
Xareta is a destination with layers. You can visit it in a day and take away an unforgettable memory, or stay for several days and keep discovering hidden corners. From the most mysterious caves in Navarre to the most picturesque rack railway in the French Basque Country, there is something for every taste and every age. We tell you everything so you don't miss a thing.
📸 Xareta in pictures
👣 Our experience in the Xareta Valley
We’ve been sending our guests from Casa Angiz to the Xareta Valley for some time now. And they always come back with the same look: that mix of quiet amazement and the urge to do it all again that only places that truly move you can give.
The first time we went to Zugarramurdi, we weren’t quite sure what we were going to find. Caves sound like a tourist attraction, but nothing could be further from the truth. Entering that huge karst tunnel, with the river flowing underneath and the green of the forest peeking in from both ends, is an experience you don’t forget.
Then we crossed over to Urdax to see its monastery and its own caves, much quieter and with a different atmosphere. And on the way back we stopped in Ainhoa, on the other side of the border. Parking, getting out of the car, and walking along that main street full of flowers and white-and-red facades... it’s like stepping into another dimension. France ten minutes from Navarre.
What surprised us most was how close everything is to each other. In a single day you can see the four villages, do a short route, and eat well. Xareta doesn’t wear you out; it recharges you.
— The Casa Angiz team 🌿
🥾 The best hiking routes in Xareta
Xareta is a paradise for hiking. Whether you’re an experienced walker or looking for a peaceful family route, you’ll find your path here. All trails are signposted and information can be obtained at the tourist offices in each village.
🐴 Blue Horse Route (Pottoka Bidea)
The main trail in the area. It links the four villages and the three caves of Xareta following the old smuggler paths. A blue pottoka painted on the stones marks the route. The most popular section connects the caves of Urdax, Zugarramurdi and Sara (about 12 km).
💧 Route to Xorroxin Waterfall
One of the most beautiful and accessible routes in Navarre. Traditional houses, stone bridges, beech forests, and chestnut trees accompany you until you reach the impressive Xorroxin waterfall. Perfect for doing with children and without the need for specialized equipment.
⛰️ Climb Mount Larun from Sara
If you’d rather not work up too much of a sweat, the rack railway takes you comfortably to the summit with views of the Cantabrian Sea and the Pyrenees. If you want to go up on foot, the route from Sara is demanding but spectacular.
🍽️ Xareta gastronomy: flavors from two countries
One of the pleasures of visiting Xareta is that you can eat in both Spain and France on the same day. The Basque cuisine on both sides of the border shares roots but has its own personality. Make the most of it.
Latxa sheep cheese is the king of the area. Smoked or unsmoked, on its own or with quince paste, it always impresses.
The corn flatbread filled with chistorra, cheese, or chocolate is the typical bite at local festivals and markets.
When crossing over to Ainhoa or Sara, you can’t leave without trying this Basque cake filled with cream or cherry jam.
Txakoli on the Spanish side and Irouléguy on the French side are the wines of the area. Fresh, light, and perfect with pintxos.
In autumn, the forests of Xareta fill with mushrooms. The local restaurants prepare them in ways that are simply unforgettable.
The Navarrese restaurants in the area serve cod with all the Basque tradition. A dish that never goes out of style.
🏡 Your perfect base: stay at Casa Angiz
To explore the Xareta Valley at a relaxed pace and in comfort, it’s ideal to have a good base nearby. Casa Angiz, located in Sunbilla, is less than 30 minutes from Zugarramurdi and 35 from Ainhoa. The perfect distance to go, explore calmly, and return to rest without the stress of a long journey.
In addition, from Casa Angiz you have access to all the major attractions of northern Navarre: the Baztán Valley, the Irati Forest, the Leurtza Reservoir, or Irrisarri Land. All in less than an hour. A privileged location that turns your stay into a complete experience.
Why choose Casa Angiz for your getaway to Xareta?
- Less than 30 minutes from Zugarramurdi and Ainhoa
- Charming rural apartments in the heart of Navarre’s nature
- Peaceful and authentic surroundings in the Bidasoa valley
- Commitment to sustainable tourism and respect for the environment
- Perfect base for exploring Xareta, Baztán, Irati, and the Basque coast
- Ideal for families, couples, and groups of friends
- Direct price without intermediaries: best rate guaranteed
❓ Frequently asked questions about the Xareta Valley
🗺️ More plans near Casa Angiz
Xareta is just one of the treasures of northern Navarre. If you stay several days at Casa Angiz, there is much more to discover:
Convinced? The Xareta Valley is one of those places that gets under your skin and never lets go. Plan your getaway, stay at Casa Angiz, and discover why the Tree-Land captivates everyone who visits.
