Ochagavía, Navarre, Spain Ochagavía, Navarre, Spain
Ochagavía, Navarre, Spain
Ochagavía, Navarre, Spain (© PhotosTime/Getty Images)
Ochagavía in Spain offers one of Navarre's most evocative winter scenes. This village of just over 480 residents, located in the Salazar Valley, 85 kilometres from Pamplona, stands out for its traditional architecture, with stone houses, steeply pitched roofs and a medieval bridge over the Anduña River that looks straight out of a postcard.
Its natural surroundings are one of its greatest attractions. Nearby lies the Irati Forest, one of the best-preserved forests in Europe, and Mount Orhi, rising to around 2,020 metres and popular with hikers. In winter, the snow-covered landscape enhances the valley's calm and beauty.
Ochagavía retains a strong cultural identity. The Danzantes de Otsagabia are particularly well known, performing stick dances and jotas every September, keeping alive a tradition documented since the 17th century. Visiting Ochagavía in winter is a way to discover Navarre at its most authentic.