Malerreka in one day from Sunbilla: Doneztebe, Donamaria and Leurtza
Malerreka is one of those areas of northern Navarra that makes the most sense when villages and landscape are explored together. From Sunbilla you can organise a full day around three different stops: Doneztebe/Santesteban, Donamaria Tower and the Leurtza reservoirs.
The route combines a small town, medieval architecture and nature without requiring hours in the car. It is particularly useful for visitors who want to go beyond the best-known names of Baztan-Bidasoa.
Malerreka in one day: suggested itinerary
• Morning: walk around Doneztebe/Santesteban.
• Late morning: short drive to Donamaria and exterior visit to Jauregia Tower.
• Midday: lunch or break in the area.
• Afternoon: Leurtza reservoirs and the 3.5 km short route, or the adapted trail when conditions allow.
• Return: back to Sunbilla before dark, particularly in autumn and winter.
1. Doneztebe/Santesteban: Malerreka's practical centre
Doneztebe/Santesteban is one of the valley's main settlements and a good place to begin. Navarra tourism describes it as an elegant town that still preserves traces of its medieval past.
Its location, closeness to the Bidasoa Greenway and concentration of shops and restaurants make it a practical as well as interesting stop.
Doneztebe/Santesteban. Photo: Jorab / Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
2. Walk without a rigid checklist
You do not need a long monument list to enjoy Doneztebe. Walk through the streets, approach the river and pay attention to the traditional buildings.
If you have already used the Greenway from Sunbilla, the Bidasoa corridor makes the geography of the two villages particularly easy to understand.
3. Donamaria and its Gothic tower
A short distance away stands one of the most distinctive civil buildings in northern Navarra: Donamaria's Jauregia Tower, also known as Casa de las Tablas.
Navarra tourism describes it as a Gothic tower preserving medieval defensive features, with stone on the lower levels and timber becoming the dominant material above.
Jauregia Tower, Donamaria. Photo: Euskalduna / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
4. Why Donamaria Tower is worth the stop
The building captures Malerreka's rural and historical character. It is not a huge isolated fortress but a defensive residence integrated into the village and surrounding landscape.
It is a protected heritage building and one of the notable surviving examples of medieval civil architecture in Navarra.
5. Continue towards Leurtza
After Donamaria, continue towards Urroz for the climb to the Leurtza reservoirs. From Urroz, an approximately 5 km paved rural road reaches the recreation area and parking.
Parking is paid in high season and Navarra tourism recommends advance booking during summer.
6. Leurtza reservoirs
Leurtza provides the nature section of the day: two small reservoirs surrounded by beech woodland with several marked trails.
For a combined day with Doneztebe and Donamaria, the 3.5 km short route is generally the best balance. It gains only about 60 m and circles both reservoirs.
Leurtza reservoirs. Photo: Francis Vaquero / Turismo de Navarra / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
7. Short or long route at Leurtza?
If the entire Malerreka itinerary is the goal, the short route leaves enough time for the other stops. The longer route of roughly 9 km and 452 m of ascent is better when Leurtza itself is the main excursion.
At the September 2026 review, Navarra tourism also carried a notice that the adapted trail was not passable Monday to Friday until further notice. Check the current status before travelling.
8. How to organise the timing
Start in Doneztebe in the morning, spend part of the morning there and then continue to Donamaria. After lunch, leave the afternoon for Leurtza.
On short days, do not begin the reservoir trail too late. Woodland loses daylight earlier and damp surfaces can remain wet for longer.
9. Malerreka with children
The day works well for families when kept realistic. Doneztebe and Donamaria require little physical effort, and Leurtza's short route is manageable for many children used to walking.
With younger children or deteriorating weather, simplify the plan. Two enjoyable stops are better than three rushed ones.
10. A rainy-day alternative
In light rain, Doneztebe and Donamaria are still easy to visit with suitable clothing, while Leurtza can become muddy or slippery.
If weather is poor, shorten the nature section or leave Leurtza for another day and return to Sunbilla.
Where to stay for exploring Malerreka
El Eco de los Robles is in Sunbilla, within the wider Malerreka area, and allows short day trips without changing accommodation. The whole house sleeps six guests plus two additional places and includes a garden, seasonal pool, barbecue area and private parking.
From the same base, another day can be used for Baztan, Bertiz, Zugarramurdi-Urdax or the Bidasoa cycling corridor.
Frequently asked questions about Malerreka
What is Malerreka?
Malerreka is a valley and local area in northern Navarra that includes Sunbilla, Doneztebe/Santesteban and Donamaria, with woodland, streams and nature routes.
Can you see Malerreka in one day?
A day is enough for a representative route through Doneztebe/Santesteban, Donamaria Tower and Leurtza. More time is better if you want to explore the valley slowly.
What is worth seeing in Doneztebe/Santesteban?
Its traditional streets, river setting and connection with the Bidasoa Greenway make it a good stop during a Malerreka itinerary.
What is special about Donamaria Tower?
It is a late-medieval Gothic tower house and one of Navarra's most recognisable examples of defensive civil architecture, combining stone lower floors with timber upper levels.
Can you combine Donamaria with Leurtza?
Yes. Donamaria Tower and the Leurtza reservoirs are close enough to fit comfortably into the same day.
Where is the best place to stop for lunch?
Doneztebe/Santesteban is the most practical stop for services and food before continuing towards Donamaria or Leurtza.
Where should you stay to explore Malerreka?
Sunbilla is well placed inside the valley. El Eco de los Robles provides one rural base for Malerreka, Baztan and the Bidasoa corridor.
Sources consulted
Official Navarra tourism information for Malerreka, Doneztebe/Santesteban, Donamaria Tower and Leurtza trails.
Leurtza information reviewed in September 2026; access notices and conditions may change.
Image credits
Cover image: Jorab / Wikimedia Commons, Santesteban.JPG, public domain.
Interior image 1: Euskalduna / Wikimedia Commons, Jauregia Donamaria.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Interior image 2: Francis Vaquero / Turismo de Navarra / Wikimedia Commons, Leurtza reservoirs, CC BY 4.0.
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