The park occupies the site of the former defensive glacis, an open space designed to provide clear lines of fire for the Citadel's artillery.
Its current layout remains faithful to the pentagonal geometry of the Renaissance-era military fortifications.
The park contains a notable collection of mature, centennial trees, some of which are protected specimens within the city's urban heritage list.
The park provides a direct ecological corridor connecting the city center to the surrounding rural landscape.
Because it was a defensive zone for centuries, the ground remains largely free of modern construction, preserving the original topography of the fortification's exterior.
La Vuelta del Castillo is a sprawling 280,000-square-meter urban park encircling the 16th-century Citadel of Pamplona. It functions as the city's primary green belt, physically separating the historic old town from the modern urban expansion. The park features an extensive network of flat, pedestrian-friendly gravel paths lined with mature elms and chestnut trees. Originally part of the military fortification system designed by Giacomo Palearo, the area has been repurposed from defensive trenches into a public leisure space. It currently contains diverse vegetation, including botanical curiosities and large grassy meadows used for recreational activities. The path perimeter stretches approximately 2.3 kilometers, making it a popular circuit for runners and walkers.
The elevated vantage point on the outer path looking toward the Citadel's bastions and the moat area.
Use the perimeter circuit for jogging or brisk walking to experience the full scale of the Citadel's star-shaped design.
Bring a blanket for a picnic in the expansive grassy meadows, which are generally quieter than the paths.
Visit during the early morning hours to see local runners and dog walkers utilizing the park before the heat of the day.
Attempting to find historical building entrances directly from the park; the main access points to the interior Citadel are separate from the outer park circuit.
Keep dogs on a leash, dispose of waste in provided bins, and respect the quiet zones near the residential edges.
