The Region of Valdorba, also called Valle de Orba, comprises some small
villages that preserve their artistic heritage of rural Churches and Palaces
that are reminiscent of its importance as one of the routes of the Road to
Santiago in the past. The most important Romanesque buildings and works of
art in Navarra are in this valley.
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The Catalán Chapel, San Martín Church with its valued crypt, Santa María
de Eristain or San Pelayo Chapel, with beautiful views to the valley, are
important visits not to forget. Among the civil buildings, you will find
the Hórreo (elevated wood structure for storing grain) de Iracheta and some
palaces for storing guns, stone crosses, medieval bridges and houses
decorated with shields that are located all over the region.
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This is a place far from the noises and pollution, but near to any of the
interesting sightseeings of Navarra. From Pyrenees to the banks of the
Ebro, from the green valleys of the North to the magnificent landscape of
Bardenas and within a stone's throw of Pamplona, you will visit Olite, and
its Royal Castle-Palace, Ujué, the walls and towers of Artajona, the
wonders of the Road to Santiago from Sangüesa to Obanos, Roncesvalles and
the monasteries of Leire, Fitero, La Oliva, Irache.
But the Region of Valdorba has also a great attraction because of its
landscape and nature trails along the valley. The region is crossed by the
River Zidacos and is full of forests, Mediterranean fields of cereals,
olives, vines, almonds trees and green grazing.
Thanks to the great variety of habitats in this region, here is one of the
largest densities of birds of prey in Europe.
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Together with other fantastic nature trails in Orísoain, there is a path
crossing ilex and oaks forests that ends in the Bolchaco Cave. You will see
the footprints of wild pigs or foxes and hear the singing of some of the
birds that nest in the valley Valdorba.
Another choice is going trekking on the hills such as San Pelayo or Santa
Cruz or visiting an old oak in Echagüe that is so big that can be surrounded
by five people.
A wind farm in Guerinda has a superb view of the valley. This wind farm is
the largest in Europe and combines some of the most modern wind turbines
with an old but recently rebuilt windmill for making wheat.
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We also suggest you to visit the wine or champagne cellars, taste our
genuine cuisine or enjoy our festivals and processions.
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Mycology and Nature in Valdorba:
Mushrooms and fungi are all over the region of Valdorba. In spring the
perretxikos (Calocybe gambosa) come out and invite you to go for a walk to
follow their strong and floury aroma. Some mushrooms can be collected in
grazing and some fungi and rebozuelos (Cantharellus cibarius ) in the
forests. In the end of September, beech trees are full of illarrakas
(Lepista nebularis), a very valued example of its species, and when
coolness comes, it is time for the pine forests where the robellones
(Lactarius deliciosus) appear everywhere.
At the edge of the paths, zones of passage, bushes, and grassy places you
will find barbudas (Coprinus comatus), senderillas (Marasmius oreades),
pie violetas (Lepista personata), plateras (Clitocybe geotropa) and setas
de cardo (Pleurotus eryngii). Thanks to the remaining moisture into the
wood, the mushrooms of the black poplars appear in every season of the year
on some stumps near the banks of the river. As the mushroom season is
drawing on, the production of mushrooms is moving to warmer zones. In
November, and even in December, you can visit the kermes oak woods where
you will easily find the gamuzas (Hydnum repandum), hongos de carrasca,
higróforo escarlata (Hygrophorus russula) and some llenegas (Hygrophorus
limacinus). Finally, from the beginning of December to March, if you like
collecting truffle, the jewel for any mycologist, you can unearth some "black diamonds" or the truffle of Perigord ? it is a very valued kind of
wintry fungi.
 
In 2002 and 2003 Orísoain organized the 1st and 2nd Mushroom Festival of
Navarra.
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