The north of Spain has a wide variety of unique enclaves where you can enjoy the unique nature it offers, such as steep mountains or vast lakes. Thus, autonomous communities like the Basque Country are home to magical natural landscapes where you can walk outdoors and enjoy different hiking routes.
One of the most notable in Euskadi is the Aitzulo eye path, in Oñati. It is a natural window that makes its way into the rock and allows you to contemplate the panoramic view of the Aizkorri Aratz Natural Park, as well as different birds flying over the enclave.
The view has become one of the most striking in the entire autonomous community, attracting a wide variety of nature lovers willing to crown the mountain upon reaching the enclave. Thus, it is a simple hiking route, perfect to do with family or friends in just a couple of hours.
Aitzulo eye hiking route
The Aitzulo eye hiking route is a route approximately 5 kilometers long and with an estimated duration of 2 and a half hours. During this time, you will have to travel along part of the PR-GI-3003 road, since this destination is located within a larger itinerary called the water road.
To begin the activity, you will have to go to the church of San Miguel de Araotz, in the town with the same name, from where you will have to continue down the street, walking between the fronton and the town’s bowling alley. Next, you must descend some stairs until you find a concrete track, which you must follow and which is difficult to get lost, thanks to the yellow and white marks that can be seen.
Leaving the town behind, you will have to enter a pine forest where you will be able to see a large gate for livestock, which it is important to close once you have crossed to the other side. After this, there will be an ascent area at the edge of another pine forest, where it will be possible to see different animals and grazing marks, always prioritizing being respectful of the environment that surrounds us.
A little further on, about 300 meters from a shepherd’s hut, it will be possible to find the cave from which the Aitzulo eye emerges, which is hidden among the vegetation. After enjoying it, you must take one of the two possible routes, although it is advisable if the other route has not been previously planned to return through our steps, descending to the parking lot and finishing the journey.
Even so, it is also possible to carry out another route, circular and that would continue along the top of Orkatzategi to the aforementioned water path. This alternative route is somewhat longer and more demanding, with about 9 kilometers in length, so it is not entirely advisable to carry it out if you have started the route with the little ones in the house. If you wish to continue, you will only have to follow the signs for the PR-GI-3003 path marked with white and yellow colors.
Enjoy the town of Oñati
Both before starting the route and at the end of it, it is possible to take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the town of Oñati, the largest town in the entire province of Guipuzkoa. Throughout which it is possible to marvel at some of the most striking historical monuments in the area.
One of the most unique buildings in all of Euskadi is the Sancti Spiritus University, a building built in the 16th century by Bishop Rodrigo Mercado de Zuazola. Furthermore, this entity not only stands out for having been active from 1542 to 1901, but also for the state of conservation of both its façade and the cloister and the altarpiece inside.
Thus, the enclave also has other religious monuments, such as the church of San Miguel, built in the 15th century and expanded on several occasions, forming a unique mix of styles; or the Bidaurreta monastery, built during the 1510s and where the tomb of the writer Juan López de Lazarraga and his wife is located.
Other routes to do in Euskadi with the family
This is one of the most famous routes to do with family and friends around the Basque Country. However, it is not the only one that the autonomous community has, since throughout it it is possible to enjoy countless unique natural environments.
Thus, some other ways to enjoy the Basque territory as a family are:
- Route from Donostia to Pasaia.
- Route along the coast of Donostia.
- Getxo Armintza Route.
- Route to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
- Route through Itxina.
- Route through the Irati jungle.
- Ullibarri Gamboa reservoir route.
- Route through the Oma Forest.
- Route to the Gorliz Lighthouse.
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