Puente del Diablo

Puente del Diablo is the ruined remains of a 16th-century stone bridge at the mouth of the Foz de Lumbier gorge, right on the edge of Liédena in Navarre. Only a fragment of the structure still stands, wedged between the gorge's rock walls, but it remains one of the most photographed spots along this stretch of the Irati River.

What is this place?

Built in the mid-16th century, the bridge was a single-arch crossing roughly 30 metres long and 2 metres wide, rising about 15 metres above the riverbed. It connected Liédena with the roadside inns of Lumbier, providing a route along the foot of the Sierra de Leire for travellers, livestock and carts. It stayed in use until 1812, when French troops blew it up for strategic reasons during the Peninsular War. What remains today is one abutment and part of the arch, wrapped in a well-known local legend: a wealthy woman named Magdalena, suffering from kidney illness, sent her maid Cliastela to fetch healing water, and along the way the devil appeared as a handsome gentleman, offering to build a bridge in a single night — before six in the morning — in exchange for her soul. The name has stuck ever since.

How do you get there?

The ruins sit along the vía verde (greenway) linking Lumbier and Liédena, which runs through the floor of the Foz de Lumbier gorge. This roughly 6-kilometre stretch passes through two rock-cut tunnels, one 167 metres long and the other 206 metres. A side path leading to the bridge ruins branches off near one of the tunnel entrances and is somewhat more exposed, with a chain acting as a handrail along the drop. The route can be joined from either end — both Lumbier and Liédena have marked car parks at the gorge entrance.

What will you see?

The Foz de Lumbier is a gorge with reddish limestone walls rising around 150 metres, carved by the Irati River over millions of years. The area has been protected as a nature reserve since 1987 and is considered one of Navarre's best spots for birdwatching — griffon vultures and bearded vultures nest on the rock ledges above. The bridge ruins themselves are a small but striking landmark: a stone arch set into the cliff face, standing out against the emerald water below. Across the valley, near Liédena, lie the remains of a Roman villa, one of the region's most significant archaeological sites.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn bring the mildest temperatures and the best chances of spotting birds of prey in flight. Summer can get hot and crowded inside the gorge, especially on weekends, while in winter the side path to the bridge ruins can turn slippery after rain — worth factoring in if you're travelling with children or with anyone uneasy on exposed ground.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk across the bridge itself? No — only a fragment of the structure survives and it's not passable. You view it from a side path that leads to a lookout point over the ruins.

How long does the walk to the ruins take? From either Liédena or Lumbier, the round trip usually takes 1.5–2 hours, depending on pace and how many stops you make to watch the vultures.

Is the route suitable for children? The main vía verde along the gorge floor is flat and easy, but the side path to the bridge ruins has exposed sections with only a chain for support, so caution is needed.

Is there an entrance fee? No, access to the trail and nature reserve is free, with car parks available at both the Lumbier and Liédena entrances.