Parketxe Lizarrusti

About the museum

The Parketxe de Lizarrusti occupies a former miquelete (militia) house at the top of the Lizarrusti pass, at 621 metres above sea level, next to the road and on the border between Gipuzkoa and Navarre. When Aralar was declared a natural park in 1994, the Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa chose this building as the park house and interpretation centre. The same building also houses a hostel, a tavern and a restaurant.

After a year closed for renovation works, it reopened in February 2025 with a renewed exhibition. The walls present information on the biodiversity and geology of Aralar, its history and its heritage, and illustrate the presence of pastoral activity in the area for more than 4,000 years. The exhibition also includes a space devoted to the characters of Basque mythology. Its contents are in Basque and Spanish and can be expanded digitally via QR codes.

Throughout the year the centre organises activities on the natural and cultural heritage of Aralar, often in collaboration with the Museo Barandiaran, as well as an educational programme for schools. The path to the Lareo reservoir and the routes to the summit of Txindoki (Larrunarri) start from the parketxe.

Highlights

• Exhibition renewed in 2025 on the biodiversity, geology and history of Aralar
• Pastoral activity documented for more than 4,000 years
• Space devoted to the characters of Basque mythology
• Contents in Basque and Spanish, with digital expansion via QR codes
• Starting point for routes to the Lareo reservoir and Txindoki

Permanent exhibition

• Exposición permanente sobre Aralar – Renewed exhibition presenting the biodiversity, geology, history and heritage of Aralar, pastoral farming for more than 4,000 years and the characters of Basque mythology.

Founded

1928

Operated by

Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The educational programme and the activities are designed for people of different ages, including families and schoolchildren.

Getting there & parking

Access is via the GI-2120 from Ataun (Beasain is about 15 km away), climbing the Lizarrusti pass; from Navarre via Arbizu and Etxarri Aranatz. The parketxe is next to the road, at the top of the pass.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

The same building houses a hostel, a tavern and a restaurant (run independently of the parketxe).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit