Higa de Monreal

The mountain that watches over the Pamplona Basin

The Higa de Monreal rises above the Navarran landscape with a pyramidal silhouette that seems to emerge alone amidst the fields and the foothills of the Pyrenees. Visible from much of the Pamplona Basin, this peak is one of the region’s most recognisable natural landmarks and marks the transition between the plains and the mountains.

Its slopes are home to forests, pastures and limestone shaped by the wind and the passage of time. The mountain changes with every direction: damp beech forests in the shadier areas, open clearings facing south and paths where moss and stone share space with ancient trails. Here, the landscape does not impose itself; it gently accompanies the rhythm of the valleys stretching out at its feet.

Higa de Monreal general information

La Higa de Monreal (1,289 m) is the highest peak in the Sierra de Alaiz and one of the most visible geographical landmarks in the Pamplona area. Its name, of Basque origin, refers to a place associated with water and reeds, reflecting the historical relationship between the mountain and its natural surroundings.

The summit is home to the Santa Bárbara chapel and Navarre’s main television relay station, features that have formed part of the mountain’s visual identity for decades. Its strategic position offers views of the transition between central Navarre, the pre-Pyrenean mountain ranges and the first major peaks of the Pyrenees.

How to get to Higa de Monreal?

The mountain is easily accessed from the village of Monreal.

• From Monreal, about 18 km from Pamplona via the A-21 motorway.
• There is a car park next to the river or the sports centre.
• There are signposted trails from the town centre.

What to do at Higa de Monreal?

Here, the landscape changes with every step, shifting between woodland, rock and open horizons.

• Landscape viewing: The summit offers an unobstructed panoramic view of the Pamplona Basin, the Alaiz mountain range and the Pre-Pyrenean mountains.
• Exploring the forest trails: There are routes that pass through beech and holm oak woodlands and limestone slopes without needing to reach the summit.
• Discover the Santa Bárbara chapel: Situated at the very top, it forms part of the traditional heritage linked to the mountain.
• Nature photography: The pyramidal shape of La Higa and the changing light at dawn or dusk make the mountain one of the most photographed landscapes in central Navarre.