Etxarri-Aranatz is located in the Arakil sub-region of the Barranco valley, at an altitude of about 500 meters above the sea. With about 2,500 inhabitants, it is the second most populated in the valley after Altsasu.

The village is not particularly impressive, but it is the perfect starting point for a wide variety of routes. The mountaineers of Aralar and Andia and the many forests that are located in the area hide beautiful landscapes and routes, as well as the remains left by history. In this last ensemble is the path of the dolmens, a great and easy way to combine with the past and nature, an ideal excursion for half a day.

It is a very well marked path for the dolmens. Although most of the time we will have to go through the closed forest, there is no risk of losing it, this sign that will appear at all times in the trees or on the sides of the road and the greens will tell us the correct direction of the route. It is enough to follow these marks even at the crossroads to know which way to go. And from time to time there will also be signs that indicate the distance that is missing to return to Etxarri.

The campsite of Etxarri-Aranatz is the starting point and the destination of the route, since the route is completely circular. The campsite is a couple of kilometers from the village; accessed by the motorway of Sakana.

Easier to walk than by bicycle

There is ample parking on the outside of the campsite, a good place to leave your car. The path of the dolmens is designed for walking; it can also be done by cycling, but for this you will need a good form and a great skill, because sometimes the path can be dangerous and picturesque.

From the portal of the campsite there is a wide track, this is the beginning of the path. The first two miles are easy, when or when cars will pass as well. The crossing appears and leaving the track to the right we turn to the left.

In fact, we can do two routes: one of about fifteen kilometers, the other of ten kilometers. This time we will take the first one, among other reasons, because in this you can see ten dolmens. The shortest route takes about three hours and is flatter, but has only two dolmens on the way.

Echoes of Pilgrimage in San Adrian

Arriving at the third kilometer, we will see the hermitage of San Adrián, a beautiful place surrounded by beech and oak trees. On the 16th of June, the locals celebrate the day in honor of the saint, and from the village a large number of people come to enjoy the pilgrimage that takes place there. Even the town hall, accompanied by whistles. There is no shortage of food and drink in the Romería; along with the wine that is distributed, the “gingriña” – the local variant of the Cicero – and for dessert,

the traditional “peppers”. Leaving the hermitage behind the path will take an upward trend, and if it is muddy the ascent will become even more difficult. Starting at 500 meters, we reach 959 meters in the sixth kilometer, at the top of Irumugarrieta. This is the top of the path of the dolmens; as its name clearly indicates, the peak borders three areas: Burunda, Atau and Etxarri-Aranatz. In fact, much of the way will follow the border between Navarre and Gipuzkoa, as the milestones will constantly remind us.

If there is no fog, on the way you can see Aralar and Andia. However, since almost all the way will go through a closed beech forest, the sun will hardly enter between the tall trees. If it is a fog, however, it will give the whole area a mysterious and sometimes terrifying appearance.

And the dolmens?

Say that it is the path of the dolmens, and still hardly any mention of the dolmens. The first will appear in the fourth kilometer, Beitzeta, slightly excluded from the road. The dolmens that are on the way, besides being well expressed, are fenced. All of these were catalogued by Father Barandiaran in the 1950s. In most cases, only a few clues remain. The best preserved of all is the Charadiron, which is located at the eighth kilometer.

In short, the most dolmens is just an excuse to make this pleasant excursion, to forget about time and space inside the pagadi. Following in the footsteps of the ancestors, little by little the path will descend. Back to the track that was left out at the beginning of the route, after five hours we are back at the Etxarri campsite. Full of mud, but satisfied. It's time for the hot broth.