Selva de Irati, Forest and tourist attraction in Ochagavía, Spain
The Selva de Irati is a large forest in northern Navarre, Spain, sitting close to the border with France. It is made up mainly of beeches and firs, with the Irati river running through it and a reservoir called Irabia near one of its main entry points.
For centuries, the forest was heavily logged to supply timber for the Spanish navy's ships. Over time, strict controls were put in place, allowing large parts of it to recover and grow back into old growth.
In autumn, the beeches turn gold and red, and many visitors come specifically for this seasonal change. Locals from nearby villages like Ochagavía have long used the forest for gathering, walking, and celebrating the rhythms of the natural year.
The forest can be reached from Ochagavía or from Orbaizeta, where a parking area sits next to the Irabia reservoir. In peak seasons, especially autumn, arriving early in the day helps avoid crowded parking areas.
Within the forest there are several protected nature reserves, including Mendilatz, Truistibartea, and Lizardoia, where no logging has taken place for decades. Walking through these zones gives a clear sense of what an untouched old-growth forest actually looks like.
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