(The Urkiola ridges), belonging to the Bilbao – Donostia/San Sebastián line
Natural values:
One of the most emblematic mountainous landscapes in the Basque Country, with one of the most spectacular mountain ridges in the Peninsula. Important hidrogeologic and geomorphologic values. Plenty of sink phenomena. Important forest spots of beech and Cantabrian oak wood. Areas of a high zoological interest of Mediterranean fauna. Botanic endemism, within a rich and outstanding flora. The griffon vulture. Different eagle species. Wild boars. Wild cats. Dormouses.
Manmade monuments:
A number of rural hermitages, all of them in exceptional viewpoint locations. The Urkiola Sanctuary. The ancient “txabolas” or shepherd refugees. The traditional “caserios”, farmhouses of the Basque Country, at the foot of the mountains.
The Urkiola ridges
The recuperation as a green pathway of the ancient railway branch line of Elorrio will enhance an optimum eco-tourist junction between the Eusko Tren line Bilbao-Donostia/San Sebastián in the Durango station and the limits of the Urkiola natural park. This protected natural space is mainly made up of the so-called Ridges of the Durango area and the mountainous slopes dominating the Indusi and Aramoyana valleys. It is probably one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Basque mountain areas.
Our route can be done by bicycle up to Apatamonasterio, even reaching the small village of Arrazola. After this point we should continue walking through the mountain paths that start in Urkiola, considered one of the best sites for mountain tracking. On the first place, the objective is to reach the higher points of the Aramaio mountain range, and as we make progress through the limestone ridge, we will link various local summits. The farmhouses, the lacha sheep flocks/herds and the lonely hermitages are left behind in the valley. We will slowly gain height as we climb towards the contiguous Amboto summit (1.330 m.), splitting off the Izpitze walls (1.620 m.)
The ascent to the Amboto is not too complicated from the Zabalaundi mountain pass, although the inclination is quite important. The cave of the legendary Mari, also called the lady of the Amboto, is here located. She is a character of pre-Christian Basque mythology that says her legendary home is in this area of the natural park... Once you reach the Amboto summit you will be able to enjoy the views of the valley of Atxondo, the ridges of Durangoaldea and the Peña Gorbea massif on the southwest among other beautiful views.
The roof of the Urkiola Sanctuary is the exact dividing line of two seas, the Cantabrian and the Mediterranean. Trying to find it we will descend from the Amboto through a different path, this time going down the southwest hillside. We will leave the ridges of Saitze (1.225 m.), Elgoin (1.204 m.) and Kurutzeta (1.210 m.) on the right; we will cross the Asuntze mountain pass; and we will reach the Pol-Pol fountain, in the rugged hillsides of Urkiolamendi (1.011 m.). Once we have left behind the aforementioned sanctuary-refugee we have the descent towards Apatamonasterio, surrounding mount Alluitz until the small village of Mendiola.
Más información de carácter turístico en www.paisvascoturismo.net
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