Northern Spain has a wide variety of unique enclaves where you can enjoy the unique nature it offers, such as rugged mountains or vast lakes. Thus, autonomous communities like the Basque Country are home to magical natural landscapes where you can walk in the open air and enjoy different hiking routes.
One of the most remarkable in Euskadi is the Aitzulo Eye Trail, in Oñati. It is a natural window that sinks 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 eager to crown the mountain upon arriving in the enclave. It is therefore a simple hiking route, perfect to do with family or friends in just a few hours.
Aitzulo Eye Hiking Route
The Aitzulo eye hiking route is a route approximately 5 kilometers long and takes an estimated 2 and a half hours. During this time, you will have to travel part of the PR-GI-3003 road, since this destination is located inside a larger route called the river route.
To start the activity you will have to go to the Church of San Miguel de Araotz, in the municipality of the same name, from where you will have to continue down the street, walking between the fronton and the town bowling alley. Then you have to go down some stairs until you find a concrete track, which you must follow and on which it is difficult to get lost, thanks to the yellow and white marks that can be seen.
Leaving the village, you will have to enter a pine forest where you can see a large livestock gate, which it is important to close once you pass to the other side. After that, there will be an ascent area on the edge of another pine forest, where it will be possible to see different animals and grazing marks, always prioritizing respect for the environment around us.
A little further, about 300 meters from a shepherd’s hut, it will be possible to find the cave from which the eye of Aitzulo emerges, hidden among the vegetation. After taking advantage of it, you must take one of the two possible routes, although it is advisable, if the other route has not been planned beforehand, to return via our steps, go down to the parking lot and to complete the course.
However, it is also possible to make another route, circular and which would continue along the top of Orkatzategi up to the aforementioned water path. This alternative route is a little longer and more demanding, at around 9 kilometers long, so it is not entirely advisable to do it if you started the route with the little ones in the house. If you wish to continue, simply follow the signs for the PR-GI-3003 trail marked in white and yellow.
Enjoy the town of Oñati
Both before starting the route and at the end of it, you can take the opportunity to enjoy the town of Oñati, the largest town in the entire province of Gipuzkoa. Throughout which it is possible to marvel at some of the most striking historical monuments in the region.
One of the most unique buildings in Euskadi is the Sancti Spiritus University, a building built in the 16th century by Bishop Rodrigo Mercado de Zuazola. In addition, this ensemble is distinguished not only by its activity from 1542 to 1901, but also by the state of conservation of its facade, its cloister and the interior altarpiece.
Thus, the enclave also has other religious monuments, such as the Church of San Miguel, built in the 15th century and expanded several times, forming a unique mix of styles; or the Bidaurreta Monastery, built in the 1510s and where the tomb of the writer Juan López de Lazarraga and his wife is located.
Other itineraries to do in Euskadi with the family
It is one of the best-known routes to do with family and friends throughout the Basque Country. However, it is not the only one that the autonomous community has, since it is possible to enjoy countless unique natural environments.
So, here are some other ways to enjoy the Basque territory with your family:
- Road from Donostia to Pasaia.
- Road along the coast of Donostia.
- Itinerary Getxo-Armintza.
- Road to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
- Road through Itxina.
- Road through the Irati jungle.
- Ullibarri Gamboa reservoir road.
- Road through the Oma forest.
- Road to the Gorliz lighthouse.
