Azarrulla – Trails, Festivals and History

In the centre of Azarrulla stands the Las Candelas church. On 2 February, the Feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria is celebrated in the village with a Mass.

Culture and History

The Parroquia de la Candelaria in Azarrulla was built in 1831. The single-nave sacred building consists of ashlar and rubble masonry and has a small bell gable. In addition, the Parroquia de la Candelaria is included in the general heritage inventory of La Rioja.

The San Antonio festival takes place on 13 June or on the nearest Saturday. The festival includes a Mass and a procession between Azarrulla and San Antón. The direction of the procession changes annually; the saint remains at the destination until the following year. The Day of Thanksgiving is also celebrated in Azarrulla on 28 August.

The former ironworks of Azarrulla are also part of the village’s history. They had a long tradition in the 19th century and were later used as a hydroelectric power station.

Getting There

From Ezcaray, you can reach Azarrulla via the road to the hamlets. After the turn-offs for Urdanta and Zaldierna, turn left at the junction for Azárrulla.

Other destinations in the same regional context include Ezcaray, Zorraquín and San Millán De La Cogolla.

Hiking Trails

Two circular routes lead through the surroundings of Azarrulla: The Azárrulla–Prado Martín–Horquillo–Obícolla–Barranco Ortaura–Azárrulla route is 11 km long. The second circular route runs from Azárrulla via Prado Martín, Horquillo, Collado Cobelasa, Oricha Posadas and the Camino de la Herradura back to Azárrulla and is 15 km long.

The Senda de los Siete Puentes route leads through a beech forest rich in moss and ferns. Along the way, it crosses the stream on seven wooden bridges.

The Ruta del Cementerio de Azarrulla is a 9.59 km circular mountain hiking trail with an elevation gain of 673 m. The route starts at the old cemetery of Azárrulla, which has historical and ethnographic value.

The route „Along the banks of the Oja“ follows historic field and livestock trails between Azárrulla, Altuzarra and Posadas. It then returns via the Cañada Real del Oja and the old road to Posadas.

Nature and Mining History

The Solana del Usaya route leads to an old mine entrance and a spoil heap; entering the mine is expressly discouraged because of the danger. At the same time, its course contrasts a dry, deforested sunny slope with damp beech forest and the vegetation of the gorge crossed by the waters of the Usaya.

Solana del Usaya also incorporates a path that was formerly used to transport ore from the mines of Ortaura. The route begins in the village of Azárrulla on the LR-415 road to the hamlets. At the end of the village, there is a car park on the left where the walk begins.

For the overarching travel overview: La Rioja.