Mount Mendaur from Sunbilla: route, difficulty and Trinity hermitage
Mount Mendaur is one of Malerreka's defining peaks. Its 1,136-metre summit carries the Trinity hermitage and is visible from much of the surrounding valley.
Unlike easy walks such as Xorroxin or Leurtza, Mendaur is a mountain day: expect more ascent, stronger weather exposure and the need for solid route planning.
Mendaur: key facts
• Height: about 1,136 m.
• Area: Malerreka / Ituren.
• Landmark: Trinity hermitage.
• Activity: mountain hiking.
1. A Malerreka landmark
Mendaur dominates views from several villages. Navarra's Water Route through Malerreka also uses the mountain as a visual reference.
Mendaur from Zubieta. Wikimedia Commons.
2. Choosing the approach
Several routes begin around Ituren and Aurtitz, with different distances and ascent. Use current mapping rather than assuming every Mendaur route is identical.
Mount Mendaur. Photo: Jean Michel Etchecolonea / Wikimedia Commons.
3. Trinity hermitage
The summit hermitage gives Mendaur a distinctive silhouette and makes the summit itself a strong destination.
Trinity hermitage. Photo: Uranzu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
4. Views and weather
Clear days open wide Atlantic-Navarra views. Fog can remove navigation references quickly, while wind at the summit may be much stronger than in the valley.
5. Who is the hike for?
It suits adults and older children already comfortable with mountain walking. It is not the best first hike for an inexperienced group.
6. What to carry
Grippy mountain footwear, water, food, warm and waterproof layers, offline mapping and enough battery. In autumn and winter, track daylight carefully.
7. Combine with Malerreka
Doneztebe, Elgorriaga or Ituren work well after the hike; keep the following day lighter with Bertiz or the Greenway.
Where to stay
El Eco de los Robles in Sunbilla provides a whole-house base for six plus two additional guests, with garden, seasonal pool, barbecue and private parking.
Mendaur FAQs
How high is Mount Mendaur?
The summit reaches approximately 1,136 metres.
Is it an easy walk?
No. It is a proper mountain hike with meaningful ascent and terrain that requires suitable footwear and reasonable fitness.
What is on the summit?
The Trinity hermitage stands on the summit and is Mendaur's most recognisable landmark.
Where can you start?
Several approaches exist around Ituren, Aurtitz and Malerreka; route length and ascent vary.
Can children do it?
Only children already used to mountain hiking, on a route matched to their experience and the day's conditions.
What weather is best?
Stable weather and good visibility. Fog, strong wind or very wet ground make the hike significantly harder.
Where should you stay?
Sunbilla is a practical base for Mendaur and other Malerreka routes.
Sources
Official Navarra tourism material for Malerreka and the Water Route; current mapping for the summit area.
Reviewed September 2026.
Image credits
Mendaur images by Jean Michel Etchecolonea, Uranzu and Wikimedia Commons contributors under their respective licences.
Comments