Arribe lies at the foot of the Sierra de Aralar and the Malloas, whose limestone ridges shape the landscape. From Arribe, the Malloas impress with an elevation difference of more than 1,000 metres. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between a specific circular route starting in Arribe and other summit ascents from various starting points in the Araitz Valley. The Church of San Miguel and the bridge over the Araxes also offer a glimpse into the history of the town.
A circular route starting in Arribe
The PR-NA 306 Uba-Artegieta hiking trail starts in Arribe, on the NA-1300 road between Betelu and Lizartza. From there, it leads to the scattered houses of Uba, circles the area around the Santa Bárbara hermitage and reaches the border with Gorriti at Artegietako langa. The circular route then crosses the high plateaus of Pagozelai and another ridge before descending to Atallu. It completes the circuit via the local Harritz Herri riverside path along the Araxes. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
There are several possible starting points in the Araitz Valley for ascents to the Malloas summits. This is a different choice of route from the circuit that begins in Arribe: for summit ascents, the starting points are spread across different places in the valley. So if you would like to include these mountains in your travel plans, take the relevant starting point into account rather than automatically assuming it is Arribe. The elevation difference of more than 1,000 metres and the distinctive limestone ridges also convey the scale of the Malloas landscape.
Bridge, valley history and the Church of San Miguel
The bridge over the Araxes connects the two sides of Arribe. In the late 18th century, the town was designated the capital of the Araitz Valley because of its location. The bridge represents a connection within Arribe; the town's historical role as the valley capital reflects its place in the wider valley area.
The Church of San Miguel was built in the Middle Ages. Its main altarpiece dates from the 17th century. One of the altarpieces also contains an image from the 15th century, described as valuable. The dates refer to different periods: the image is older than the main altarpiece, while the church itself dates back to the Middle Ages. For those interested in culture, this sequence of periods offers a distinct way to explore local history, alongside the landscape and hiking trails.
Annual festivities
In Arribe, the feast day of Saint Michael, the town's patron saint, is celebrated every year on 29 September. The town festivities take place on the third weekend of July. The programme for Saint Michael's Day may vary; exact dates and programmes for the town festivities may also change. Check the latest information if you want to plan your trip around a particular celebration.
For the broader travel overview: Araitz.
