Murieta

Murieta is a quiet town in the Valdega Valley, just twelve kilometers from Estella-Lizarra. Here, the river landscape, the holm oak forests, and the route of the old railroad offer a perfect combination of accessible nature, well-preserved heritage, and an active daily life.

The village stretches parallel to the Ega River and the Lóquiz embankment, a layout that explains the town’s close relationship with its natural surroundings. Walks along the river, trails along the old railroad right-of-way, and paths that wind through holm oak and evergreen oak forests connect Murieta to the valley landscape and to the neighboring villages of Abáigar, Oco, Legaria, and Ancín/Antzin.

The parish church of San Esteban, of medieval origin and renovated during the Baroque period, preserves an original baptismal font, three polychrome wooden crucifixes, and a Romanesque-style altarpiece dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Coats of arms referring to ancient local lineages are preserved on various facades throughout the town center. The cemetery chapel, which houses the 17th-century boundary cross, completes this ensemble.

In the upper part of the town stands the former station of the Basque-Navarre Railway. This station remained in operation until 1967, when the line connecting Estella and Vitoria ceased to operate. It currently serves as the town hall. The Greenway offers the opportunity for pleasant walks or bike rides, combining scenic views, railway heritage, and active tourism. In addition, there are wooded areas along the river, natural lookouts toward the Sierra de Lóquiz, and trails that allow visitors to observe wildlife and appreciate the valley’s unique landscape.