Azkarate combines its proximity to Balerdi with a glimpse into local architectural and village history. The village is closest to Balerdi and is one of the starting points for ascents of the mountain. It is also home to the parish church of San Esteban and the hermitage of San Fermín. Despite its lower elevation, the summit may be the most distinctive in the Aralar; its unmistakable profile gives it a striking appearance. This gives you two main considerations when planning your trip: routes to the mountain and historic buildings in the village. If both appeal to you, you can plan your stay around how much time you want to devote to the route and the architectural history.

Balerdi ascents and the GR® 20

After passing through other villages in the Araitz valley, the GR® 20 reaches Azkarate. It arrives below the church of San Esteban, following the NA-7512, and the route then leads from the village to the Urdille Pass. This makes it possible to understand the GR® 20 both in terms of its arrival in the village and the direction of the next section. Another named route, “Vuelta 360º al Balerdi desde Azkarate (Araitz),” also starts in Azkarate. The information answers different questions: for the GR® 20, the route to the village and the direction to the pass are relevant, while Azkarate is named as the starting point for the Vuelta. If you are planning the Vuelta, check trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.

Church of San Esteban and Hermitage of San Fermín

The parish church of San Esteban is built of stone and has a single-nave layout with a lunette vault. A single-nave layout has one main nave and no side aisles. The pointed-arch portal has stone archivolts. The tower is divided into two square levels and a crowning octagonal, or eight-sided, level. This makes it possible to distinguish the layout, vault, portal and tower shape in the same building. Visitors interested in religious architecture will find specific features here to guide their attention.

The Hermitage of San Fermín adds its own timeline to this theme: it was built in 1586, and in 1599 Juan de Moret carved a sculpture in the Romanist style for the hermitage. The building and the sculpture are thus two distinct historical points of reference associated with the same place. The village’s history also extends beyond its religious buildings. A palace of the Cabo de Armería in Azkarate belonged to Matías Azcárate, who was a royal councillor and president of the Chancery of Valladolid. Alongside the architectural history of the church and hermitage, there is also the history of a historical figure’s public office.

Festival calendar and cultural heritage

The local festival calendar includes celebrations on 7 July and a pilgrimage to the Hermitage of San Fermín. The Azkarate Carnival is classified as intangible cultural heritage. While the festival date makes a specific connection to the hermitage, the carnival’s classification offers another perspective on local culture.

Discover more destinations: Etxalar, Uztegi, Igantzi, Goñi, Arbizu, Urdiain, Arribe, Cascante

For the regional travel overview: Navarra.