In the heart of Navarre, the Bardenas Reales desert unfolds its arid expanses and unique geological formations.
Through this article, Trazler invites you to discover how to best prepare your trip to sleep in this unique desert in Europe, classified by UNESCO. With lunar landscapes, remarkable biodiversity, and outdoor activities, the Bardenas offer you a beautiful escape close to wild nature.
Why visit the Bardenas Desert?
The Bardenas Reales desert offers a unique experience in Europe with its spectacular landscapes that evoke fictional terrains, thus offering a complete change of scenery just a few hours from France.
It is protected as a national park and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, ensuring the preservation of its landscapes and biodiversity.
Geology and lunar landscapes
The Bardenas desert is characterized by its geological formations, including fairy chimneys and rock formations that resemble those in Death Valley in the United States.
These landscapes are the result of wind and water erosion that have sculpted canyons, ravines, and plateaus, offering very beautiful panoramic views of arid expanses that change color with the intensity of the sun.
Fauna and flora
Despite its arid appearance, the Bardenas Desert is home to a great biodiversity. It hosts species adapted to extreme conditions such as hares, foxes, and birds like the Egyptian vulture.
The vegetation is mainly composed of low shrubs and a few trees adapted to drought, such as Aleppo pines and Kermes oaks, which populate the region.
Activities to do in the Bardenas Desert
You can explore the desert in several ways : on foot, by bike, by car, or even by quad, depending on the permitted areas. There are various marked routes that allow you to discover the main attractions of the park.
Points of interest like the Cabezo de Castildetierra offer photographic opportunities, and guided hikes can enrich the experience with explanations about the geology and ecology of the place.
It is essential to respect the fragile environment by staying on marked trails and avoiding disturbing the local fauna and flora.
What are the different accommodation options?
The Bardenas Desert offers a variety of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets, from modern hotels to more unusual lodges and cabins. To find them, do not hesitate to search on Trazler. Here is an overview of the different possibilities.
Charming hotels:
- Hotel Aire de Bardenas : Located at the entrance of the desert, this award-winning hotel offers rooms with large bay windows providing spectacular views of the desert landscape. It also features a large swimming pool and relaxation facilities.
- Hotel Santuario de Sancho and Las Casas de Sofía : These hotels offer comfort with on-site dining options and activities such as cycling and hiking.
Cottages and cabins:
- Bardenas Aventures offers comfortable cottages with breathtaking views of the desert.
Unusual Accommodation:
- The equestrian hiking route in the Bardenas Desert includes simple but welcoming hostels, often on the Camino de Santiago route.
- For adventurers, camping in a converted van offers total freedom to explore the desert at their own pace, with the possibility of parking near major points of interest.
How to organize your stay in the Bardenas Reales?
When to visit the Bardenas Reales?
The best time to visit the Bardenas Reales is during spring and autumn, when the temperatures are milder. Summer can be extremely hot and winter quite cold, which can make exploring less enjoyable.
The months from March to May and from September to November are ideal for making the most of your visit.
How to get to the Bardenas Reales?
The Bardenas Reales can be accessed by car, bus, or train followed by a short car journey. For those coming from major Spanish cities like Madrid or Pamplona, buses and trains serve Tudela or Arguedas, the two main towns near the entrance of the desert. From there, a car is necessary to reach the desert itself.
What to bring to the Bardenas Reales?
Prepare for a desert climate with large temperature variations between day and night. Bring clothing suitable for the heat as well as a sweater for cooler evenings. Do not forget a hat, sunglasses, good sunscreen, and importantly, plenty of water and snacks, as there are few dining options in the park. Comfortable walking shoes are also essential for exploring the sometimes rugged terrain of the desert.
What budget to plan for the Bardenas Reales?
The budget for a stay in the Bardenas Reales can vary depending on the type of accommodation and planned activities. A standard hotel may cost around €45 per night, while more luxurious options like the Hotel Aire de Bardenas can be significantly more expensive.
Also, plan a budget for meals, especially if you intend to dine in local restaurants in Tudela where you can enjoy regional specialties.
Practical Tips for Your Visit to the Bardenas Natural Park
For an optimized visit, pick up a map and information at the park’s entrance and check the opening hours, which are generally from 8 AM until one hour before sunset.
Keep in mind that some areas may be restricted or closed depending on the season due to bird nesting or other environmental considerations. You can enter the park via Arguedas or from Carcastillo at the El Paso entrance. Each entry offers unique views and experiences of different areas of the park.
Due to the isolated and rugged nature of the park, bring plenty of water, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and a hat for sun protection. If you plan longer stays or hikes, snacks and a first aid kit are advised.
Activities and regulations
The park can be explored by car along designated dirt roads, by bike, or on foot. Some areas also allow more adventurous activities like horse riding or the use of electric bikes, which can be organized through local agencies.
How to organize your trip to the Bardenas Desert with Trazler?
Interested in discovering the unique landscapes and fascinating biodiversity of the Bardenas Desert ? Trazler is here to help you organize your adventure. With an all-in-one travel platform, plan your stay without any stress.Book your getaway in the Bardenas Desert in advance with Trazler to benefit from preferential rates on accommodations, transport, and more, all through a simple and efficient interface.
It is possible to bivouac in designated areas within the park, but you must check the authorized locations to comply with current regulations.
The Bardenas Desert can be explored on foot, by bike, by car, or even by quad, depending on the allowed areas, with marked routes available to guide visitors.
The best times to visit the Bardenas Desert are spring and autumn when temperatures are milder and the landscape is greener, generally from March to May and from September to November.
