The north of the Iberian Peninsula is home to impressive places, among which it is possible to enjoy several natural parks that stand out for their environmental quality and for the different activities they offer, such as hiking or cycling, among others.
The Gorbeia Natural Park, located between the provinces of Álava and Bizkaia, is an ideal place to enjoy the fauna and flora of the community through unique hiking routes. The natural area, the largest in the entire Basque Country, gets its name from its highest peak, Gorbea – also called Gorbeia or Gorbeiagane in Basque.
Thus, throughout the more than 20,000 hectares of the enclave, it is possible to enjoy multiple hiking routes divided between the eight municipalities covered by the park, which are divided between the provinces as follows.
In Bizkaia:
- Villaro
- Artea
- Orozco
- Ceanuri
- Ceberium
In Álava:
- Zygoitia
- Zuya
- Urcabustaiz
All of them offer perfect alternatives to enjoy the outdoors, both with short and easy routes, available to do with children and with family or friends; as with more complex and longer trails, ideal for experienced hikers. These are some of the hiking routes that you can do in the Gorbeia Natural Park.
Uguna Waterfall Route
The route through the Uguna Waterfall is one of the main walks through the Natural Park. It is a route 3 kilometers long and lasting approximately 1 hour and a half, through which it will be possible to access the waterfall with the same name.
To begin the itinerary it is necessary to reach the Saldropo recreational area in the Biscayan part of the park, near the renowned Otzarreta beech forest. This area has a parking lot with the same name where it will be possible to leave the car to begin the journey towards Zeanuri.
The route is linear, so once you have followed the signs to the waterfall, it will be necessary to return along the same path. Furthermore, the simplicity of the itinerary, with hardly any unevenness, makes it an ideal route to do with children, always taking special caution during steep areas, or those that may be muddy, depending on the weather.
Gorbeia ascent route from Pagomakurre
At 1,482 meters high, Mount Gorbeia is the highest peak in the provinces of Álava and Bizkaia. It is possible to ascend it through a hiking route perfect for nature lovers. Throughout its more than 12 kilometers in length and estimated duration of 4 hours, the route offers panoramic views of the park, as well as the possibility of discovering forests, meadows and the famous Cross at its summit.
Although there are several different itineraries to climb to the summit, the one that starts from the Pagomakurre recreational area is one of the best known. The round trip route, which ascends to the summit of Gorbeia and descends along this same mountain after that, has multiple beacons and signs that facilitate the route, although the maximum altitude is somewhat high, so it is not recommended for hikers. novelties.
Route to the Supelgor Cave and the Eye of Atxulaur
One of the most striking and at the same time simplest routes in the park is the one that visits the Supelgor Cave and the Eye of Atxulaur, a round trip 6 kilometers long and an estimated time of 3 hours.
As with the ascent to the route to Mount Gorbeia, the route begins at the Pagomakurre car park, where it will also be possible to enjoy several picnic areas with benches and barbecues. From this area, the trail heads into the forest, from where the itinerary begins.
Along the route, completely signposted, you will have to cross bridges and ascend paths until you reach the Eye of Atxulaur, a natural formation that gives access to the Itxina massif and from which you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire park.
Afterwards, you can continue following the indicative signs until you reach the Itxulegor cave, and shortly after that to Supelgor. After enjoying the enclave, the return departs from the same path until reaching the starting point, crossing a large beech forest as it passes and guided by the different beacons and stones colored with red and white signs.
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