Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Natural Monuments

San Juan Xar Cave Shrine

Natural Monuments

San Juan Xar Cave Shrine

Highlight • Religious Site

San Juan Xar Cave Shrine

Name: San Juan Xar Cave Shrine
Rating: 2

Recommended by 12 hikers

Save

Location: Igantzi, Nord Occidental, Navarra, Spain

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to San Juan Xar Cave Shrine

4.8

(6)

hikers

1. Unanua (654 m) – San Juan Xar Cave Shrine loop from Igantzi

11.0km

03:52

510m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.8

(6)

hikers

2. San Juan Xar Cave Shrine loop from Arantza

12.0km

04:10

570m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.7

(3)

hikers

3. San Juan Xar Cave Shrine loop from Arantza

5.43km

01:39

170m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Tips

Carlos Dominguez

April 2, 2021

A spiritual sanctuary within another natural sanctuary. That is San Juan Xar. An area declared a Nature Reserve in 1987 for housing the only native hornbeam forest or Carpinus betulus, also known as birches, on the peninsula. In addition to the hornbeam, we can see century-old chestnut trees, maples, oaks and ash trees.

In the heart of this unique spot located in the heart of the western Pyrenees, we find a cave-hermitage with a fountain with three jets whose waters, according to popular belief, have miraculous healing powers against skin conditions.

It is tradition that you first drink from each of the pipes and then rub the affected part with a wet cloth. Then, the handkerchiefs are left in the surroundings of the fountain, and later the priest will pick them up and burn them. The custom has been around for a long time, for this reason, before the image of Saint John the Baptist, who today inhabits the cave, arrived here, the prayers and offerings were for the lamiak, nymphs who, according to mythology, inhabited this area since the dawn of the weather.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 140 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 29 October

18°C

11°C

20 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 28.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Igantzi, Nord Occidental, Navarra, Spain

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Mendaur Summit and Hermitage

Manttale Summit

Bidasoa Greenway

Alto de Agiña

Bidassoa Railway Tunnels

Doneztebe (Santesteban) Historic Center

Vía Verde del Bidasoa

Bidasoa Greenway Tunnel

Tunnel Entrance Near Leitzaran Greenway

Torre de Zabaleta

Vue sur le sommet de la Rhune

Azkua Summit (782 m)

San Juan Xar Cave Shrine

1. Unanua (654 m) – San Juan Xar Cave Shrine loop from Igantzi

2. San Juan Xar Cave Shrine loop from Arantza

3. San Juan Xar Cave Shrine loop from Arantza

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️