Parque Natural de Aizkorri-Aratz (Gipuzkoa)

Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park

The Aizkorri-Aratz mountain range is home to the highest summits of the Cantabrian-Mediterranean watershed divide (Aitxuri 1,551 m), as well as others that form a massif of great appeal and a reference point for Basque mountaineering. Declared a Natural Park in 2006, this area covers around 16,000 hectares, of which 13,000 belong to Gipuzkoa and 3,000 to Álava.

Classification:
Natural Parks

Villages:
Álava: Asparrena, Barrundia, San Millán/Donemiliaga, Zalduondo.
Gipuzkoa: Aretxabaleta, Zegama, Zerain, Eskoriatza, Legazpi, Oñati, Leintz-Gatzaga.

Information:
Parketxea Aizkorri-Aratz in Araia
Tel.: 945 38 69 64 / 688 62 99 32

Aizkorri-Aratz Interpretation Centre in Arantzazu Parketxea
Tel: 943 78 28 94

Cuadrilla of Llanada Alavesa
Tel: 945 30 29 31

Urbia Inn
Tel: 943 78 13 16 - 943 58 50 30

Oñati Tourist Office
Tel: 943 78 34 53

Zegama Tourist Office
Tel: 943 80 21 87

Debagoiena Tourist Office and Interpretation Centre in Arantzazu
Tel: 943 71 89 11
E-mail: turismo@debagoiena.eus
www.turismodebagoiena.com

Services:

Points of interest:

How to get there? View on Map

Description

The mountain range includes the highest peaks in the Basque Country Region: Aitzuri, at 1551 metres, and Mount Aizkorri, at 1528 metres. The impressive massif is a privileged place to contemplate both the south of Guipuzkoa and another different landscape, that of the Alavesa plain.
The three main Guipuzkoa rivers, the Oria, the Urola and the Deba, spring from amongst the rocks of this large wall of limey ridges which marks the south of Guipuzkoa. A wall which, nevertheless, has been crossed by man since ancient times. Proof of this can be found in the multiple megalithic monuments and the tunnel of San Adrián, a split-open rock through which pilgrims on the Road to Santiago passed from Guipuzkoa to Alava. The basilica of Arantzazu is another significant example of human intervention in this splendid natural area.

Flora and fauna
The peregrine falcon, the Griffon vulture, the wild cat, the marten and the Alpine newt are important representatives of the fauna of Aizkorri. Not far away we find typical examples of Latxa sheep. With regards to flora, the beech groves and oak woods give way to interesting mountain species.

Access
From Oñati take the main road to Arantzazu. It can also be reached from Zegama (Alto de Otzaurte) and from Urkulu Reservoir in Aretxabaleta. Take the N-1 exit junction in Idiazabal, and then take the GI-2637 heading towards Segura and then Zegama.

Extension
14,626 hectares






Photos and Videos

Accommodations by Proximity

21 results