The Orgi Forest: a natural treasure in Navarre

Located to the south of the Ultzama valley, in the northern part of Navarre, the Orgi Forest is a relict of the ancient humid oak groves that, 4000 years ago, covered the area and extended over a large part of Europe. Nowadays, they are a rarity on the Iberian Peninsula, and can only be found in a few valleys in Alava and Navarre.

A forest with history

The Orgi forest has been used since the Middle Ages for grazing and obtaining wood, firewood and other resources. In 1985, the residents of Lizaso, faced with the need to modernise their town, considered cutting it down in order to sell its wood. However, the Government of Navarre offered to lease it for 30 years, thus financing the improvements without losing ownership of the forest.

Thanks to this decision, Orgi was able to recover and attract visitors. In 1995, in view of the increase in tourism and its environmental impact, a competition was held for ideas for its management, leading to its declaration as a Natural Recreational Area in 1996. This model sought to balance public use with conservation and environmental education.

Orgi currently receives more than 30,000 visitors a year, including thousands of schoolchildren, making it a benchmark for environmental management. Its success has aroused interest in other regions and has led to its inclusion in the Natura 2000 Network within the Special Area of Conservation of the "Ultzama-Basaburua oak groves".

Three zones for conservation, education and leisure.

With an extension of 77 hectares of communal woodland belonging to Lizaso, the Natural Recreational Area of the Orgi Forest pursues three fundamental objectives: conservation of the oak forest, environmental education and recreational use. To this end, the forest is divided into three zones:

• Conservation Area: It covers an area of 38 hectares. Intended for its natural evolution, it is restricted to the public.
• Walking area: It covers an area of 37.5 hectares. This is the area that can be visited. There are three nature trails for visitors.
• Reception Area: It covers 1.5 hectares and is occupied by a car park, information centre, toilets and picnic area.

Flora and fauna

The Orgi forest is dominated by the English oak o pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), which coexists with the introduced American oak. There is also a wide variety of species, such as ferns, heather, ivy, hawthorn, wild cherry and wild pear trees, Rosa arvensisetc. The aquatic flora, such as the Baldellia ranunculoides and the plants associated with the saline spring of Aguasalada, are of great ecological value.

With regard to the faunaThis area is home to numerous bird species, such as the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and the Red Kite.

It is also possible to see mammals such as foxes, roe deer and wild boar, as well as a varied community of amphibians and reptiles that inhabit its humid lowlands. Due to their importance at community level, the following species stand out: dalmatina frog or agile frog, wood beetle, forest bats, red kite and red-backed shrike.

Trails

For those who wish to enter this natural paradise, the Orgi Forest has three perfectly signposted routes (walks), with explanatory panels that facilitate the visit.

• Labyrinth: is a 300-metre long winding route through the leafy undergrowth of the oak grove, adapted for the blind. It has a rope on the right that serves as a guide and panels in Braille.
• Road: a route of 1,400 metres where you can perceive the ages of the forest.
• Path: is a 700-metre route that visits the most waterlogged area of the oak grove.

It is possible and common to link the three walks together to form a route of about 2.4 kilometres.

For the more adventurous walkers, the Ultzama valley offers a wide variety of hiking routes. Without going any further, from Lizaso there is a 3.4 km long Local Path around the Orgi forest. And for the most demanding mountaineers, you may be interested in the ascent of the Saioa from Lantz.

Conservation and responsible tourism

The Orgi Forest is an example of sustainable management and responsible tourism. The conservation of this enclave is a priority, so visitors are advised to respect the established rules: do not leave the trails, do not collect plants or disturb the animals, and take any waste generated with you.

Thanks to environmental education initiatives and volunteer programmes, the forest remains a haven for biodiversity and a place where future generations can continue to enjoy its splendour.

Practical guide