Aralar Natural Park

We find ourselves on one of the great mountain massifs of the Basque Autonomous Region. Buried deep in the heart of the Goierri region (Gipuzkoa), it is the east end of the massifs that make up the Cantabrian-Mediterranean watershed and its relief (10,971 m). Part of the park stands in the province of Navarre.

Category: Natural parks

Municipalities:

Gipuzkoa: Abaltzisketa, Amezketa, Ataun, Lazkao, Tolosa, Zaldibia.

Information:

Information Point (Ataun)
Barrio San Gregorio
Mon - Fri: 9am - 1pm and 3pm - 6pm.
Phone: 943 180 285/943 582 069

Services:

Apart from the fact that its mark on the landscape is exceptional, this range also looks completely different depending on the place from which we look at it. Seen from the Goierri area, we can admire its enormous northern crag with a steep drop and abrupt ending falling away towards the area of Zaldibia and Amezketa. One outstanding point on this profile is Mount Larrunarri (Txindoki) (1,346 m), which shows a different silhouette depending on our point of observation. On the other hand, if we contemplate the massif from the San Sebastián - Pamplona/Iruña Road, we can observe the clear tall outline of the crest known as "malloas". On one stretch it marks the boundary between the provinces of Gipuzkoa and Navarre, before making its way into the latter. It is on the Irumugarrieta Summit where the range reaches its highest elevation, 1,427 metres.

Karst phenomena and megalithic monuments

This area has a predominantly calcareous lithology, with important Karstic phenomena both above and below ground: fields of lapies, sinkholes and sources, caves, dolinas, underground river beds, etc. The waters often flow out of our sight, only to reappear where least expected. Mount Pardarri (1,393 m), easy to reach from the open fields of Igaratz, is a magnificent example of karstic morphology.

The significant number of megalithic monuments gives evidence of the early human presence in the area, which accommodates the largest concentration of dolmens in the Basque Country. Aralar offers several traces of prehistoric shepherds and hunters: some thirty dolmens, over a dozen tumuli, various monoliths, numerous cave sites and two stone circles, as well as an open-air site.

Routes and excursions

The massif welcomes numerous mountaineers and potholers. It offers many routes through forest paths and tracks, although climbing the summits requires previous mountaineering training. Some of the most common accesses are the hermitage of Larraitz up to Larrunarri (Txindoki); the recently restored mountain refuge in Lizarrusti; or, from Navarre, the road departing from Lekunberri to the forest ranger's house and on to Errenaga. In Navarre's part of Aralar we find the sanctuary of San Miguel, which has a significant historical-artistic interest and is situated between beech forests and pasturelands. Its privileged setting offers excellent views of Navarre's massifs and prairies.

Remarks

The Lizarrusti Interpretation Centre -which organises several activities such as hiking, horse-riding, mountain-biking, canyoning, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, guided tours...- is closed due to restoration works. Meanwhile, an information office has been fitted out in Ataun's neighbourhood of San Gregorio, which also arranges thematic trips.

Barrio San Gregorio
Elkargunea, 12
20211, Ataun

For more information check out www.turismoataun.net or call 943 180 285.

Other services:
Six recreational areas with tables, fountains, barbecues...
Municipal youth hostel in Abaltzisketa.
Mountain Refuge in Sierra de Aralar.

Fauna

The highest and central parts of the massif mainly serve as grazing land, which during the warmer months sustain large herds of livestock: particularly "latxa" sheep, although there are also important herds of mares and cows.

In general, the park is home to animals typical of alpine surroundings. Griffon vultures are always to be seen hovering in the sky in the hope of spotting a dead animal, and the Alpine chough often can make us jump as a flock of them flutter out of one of the surrounding caves. More difficult to see is the bearded vulture, which is presently in the process of moving in this direction from its usual habitat in the Pyrenees, although it does not yet nest in Aralar. We can also catch the occasional glimpse of the golden eagle as it overflies its hunting territory or the black woodpecker, a extremely rare forest bird.

Much the same can be said of the wildlife to be found in the area, including several remarkable species, in addition to those already mentioned. Examples are the Alpine newt, the Alpine accentor, the snow vole, the pine marten, the wild cat, wild boar...

Flora

There are still a number of important forests towards the limits and foothills of the massif. The first of those is Lizarrusti, one of the great beech tree forests in the Basque Country. Going along the edge of Lareo Reservoir and blending perfectly into the landscape, we encounter the exceptional Akaitz-Sastarri beech wood, which is remarkable for the large number of adult yew trees dotting around. The Cantabrian holm oak bedecks the steep sides of the group of mountains known as "Domo de Ataun". Specimens of other kinds of woods (oak, mixed summit woods...) are scattered over the area.

The rupiculous flora (thriving among the cracks in the rocks) is enormously interesting in view of the great number of endemic species of the Pyrenean-Cantabrian mountains.

Location and accomodations in the neighborhoods

Access: On the N-1 road, junctions in Alegia towards Amezketa and Bedaio (GI-2133); in Ordizia towards Zalbibia and Larraitz (GI-2133); and in Beasain towards Lazkao, Ataun and Etxarri Aranaz (GI-120), via Lizarrusti Pass.

From Lekunberri and Huarte-Arakil (Navarra) it is possible to access by road to the Guardetxe and the sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar.

Public Transport: Two companies, La Estellesa (Donostia/San Sebastián-Lizarra/Estella) and Pesa (Eibar-Pamplona/Iruña), offer services to Lizarrusti Pass. Besides, on Sundays and bank holidays, line 1 by Tolosaldea Bus operates to Larraitz at 9:25am and 4:25pm.

Car Park: There are several car parks in the port of Lizarrusti and the area surrounding the hermitage of Larraitz.