Kampaoh Mendigorría

Definitely not to be missed, the stark landscapes of the Bardenas Reales Natural Park (roughly an hour’s drive) have a network of tracks for cycling and hiking across canyons and plateaux to spectacular rock formations. Look out for eagles, vultures and owls soaring in the thermals, while foxes and wildcats can occasionally be spotted in the scrubland. Add a touch of adrenaline to proceedings by renting quad bikes or dune buggies to zoom through the desert wilderness. Turn north for wild swimming spots on the Urederra River (half an hour), or head for Urbasa y Andía Nature Reserve (50 minutes) peaks and follow trails through lichen-and-moss-swathed beach and oak forest to mountain viewpoints. If you’re hankering after a bit of history, Puente de la Reina (10 minutes) is a major crossroads on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and is approached via the soaring stone arches of an 11th-century Romanesque-style bridge. Further north is Pamplona (half an hour), with the delightful Casco Viejo old town to explore as well as ornate Santa Maria Cathedral and Roman mosaics in the Navarre Museum.