Gorbeia Natural Park

Gorbeia stands on the Midwestern stretch of the Cantabrian-Mediterranean watershed, and on one of its main massifs. It is an enormous mountainous area shared by Alava and Bizkaia that covers 20,016 hectares. Its highest point, the summit of Mount Gorbeia (1,480 m), marks the boundary between the two provinces.

Category: Natural parks

Municipalities:

Alava: Zigoitia, Urkabustaiz, Zuia. Bizkaia: Artea, Zeanuri, Zeberio, Orozko, Areatza.

Information:

Interpretation Centre. Central de Baia (Alava)
01139 Sarria, Zuia
Phone/Fax: 945 430 709
E-mail:parquegorbeia@parques.alava.net

Parketxe de Areatza (Bizkaia)
Gudarien Plaza, 1. 48013 Areatza
Tel: 946 739 279
E-mail:parketxea@hotmail.com; parques.naturales.protegidos@bizkaia.net

Services:

Servizi:

Gorbeia is a traditional point of reference for the Basque mountaineering. This mountain range is one of the most visited due to the charm of summits such as Gorbeia, Aldamin, Oketa or Berretin, the quality and spectacular beauty of the landscapes, and the strategic location of the massif regarding the neighbouring urban areas. The park offers hikers, bikers and riders a network of marked paths and tracks, as well as long and short distance (GR and PR) footpaths designed by Mountain Federations.

Within the natural area or on its border, there are many recreational areas. Pagomakurre is the main of its kind in Bizkaia, while the recreational area known as Central del Baia is the most important in Alava. It accommodates the park's welcome area or park house (Parketxe).

Different types of scenery

In Gorbeia, two types of geological substrata give rise to two widely different sorts of scenery. The siliceous substratum create a smooth landscape of dark tones where the vegetation coats the ground; the best example of which is the rounded summit of Gorbeia, home to an enormous cross. With a height of 18 metres, the cross that crowns the summit since 1899 has become the symbol of the Natural Park.

On the other hand, the pale reef-like limestone is characterised by crags (Aldamin, Lekanda) and rocky surfaces with never-ending cavities, cracks, chasms and depressions. This area in fact contains a complete collection of samples of Karstic phenomena, with almost 500 listed cavities on the massif. Mairuelegorreta Cave, with over 12 km of galleries literally blanketed with stalactites, is one of the most renowned caves, together with the "Itzina Karst". It is a landscape shaped by erosive action of water, which has dissolved the rock throughout centuries. Among the geomorphologic expressions we also have to mention the Goiuri/Gujuli Cascade, an impressive waterfall of over 100 metres high carved out of the rock by the River Oiardo.

Remarks

Ask at the Gorbeia Interpretation Centre about the best routes to follow and the most interesting sites to visit:
Parketxe de Sarria (Alava) 945 430 709
Parketxe de Areatza (Bizkaia) 946 739 279

The park offers the opportunity to practise varied activities, such as hiking, mountaineering, biking, abseiling, rock climbing, archery, potholing, multi-adventure, hiking, horse riding, and so on.

The wetland of Saldropo (Barazar Pass) has a cycle lane that is accessible to disabled people.

Overnight camping allowed only in certain areas and with permission.

Fauna

Deer, introduced in 1957, are found in large numbers. During the mating season, the roebucks let rip with their powerful bellowing to warn off their rivals. The reasonable state of preservation of some of the forest areas is reflected in the numerous species to be found there, such as the forest birds of prey (goshawk, sparrowhawk, short-toed eagle, hobby) and those that dwelled on the rocks (peregrine falcon, Egyptian vulture) as well as carnivorous mammals (polecat, wild cat, marten). The pine marten, which largest population may be located in the Basque Autonomous Region, deserves a particular mention, as does the grey dormouse, which takes shelter in the cavities of old trees.

Upstream, the clear waters of the different rivers (Baia, Altube, Zubialde) are home to the dipper. The ponds and wetlands on the other hand, house a magnificent variety of amphibians, among which are the agile frog, the Iberian frog and the Alpine newt.

Flora

Gorbeia is a cattle breeding area. Large herds of latxa sheep, mares and cows graze on the meadows of Arraba or Egiriñao or in the sheepfolds erected long ago, as many megalithic monuments to be found in the area. But there are also vast deciduous forests, particularly in the province of Álava.

Outstanding are the beech woods of varying botanical makeup, the Pyrenean oak, the Sessile oak, the English oak, narrow riverine woods... Some of the beech trees are magnificent, being the vast beech forest in the area of Altube one of the best samples.

Situazione e allogi vicini

Access:
By road: The three main entrances to the park are the N-622 road from Vitoria-Gasteiz via the Altube Pass, with exit in Murguia; the Bilbao - Vitoria-Gasteiz N-240 road via Barazar; and the AP-68 motorway (Bilbao-Miranda).
Car Park: In Bizkaia, there are car parks in the wetland of Saldropo (Barazar Pass) and in the recreational areas of Pagomakurra, Larreder and Upo.

In the area of Alava, it is possible to park in the Parketxe de Sarria and the area of Murua Quarries.