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 Alava and Biscay, is an ideal place to enjoy the fauna and flora of the community through unique hiking routes. This natural area, the largest in the entire Basque Country, owes its name to its highest peak, Gorbea – also called Gorbeia or Gorbeiagane in Basque.
Thus, on the more than 20,000 hectares of the enclave, it is possible to enjoy multiple hiking routes distributed between the eight municipalities covered by the park, which are distributed between the provinces as follows.
In Biscay:
- Villaro
- Artea
- Orozco
- Ceanuri
- Ceberium
In Álava:
- Zygoitia
- Zouya
- Urcabustaiz
All of them offer perfect alternatives for enjoying the outdoors, with short and easy routes, to be done with children, with family or friends; as well as more complex and longer trails, ideal for experienced hikers. Here are some of the hiking routes you can do in the Gorbeia Natural Park.
Uguna Waterfalls Route
The route through the Uguna waterfall is one of the main walks in 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 of the same name.
To start the route it is necessary to reach the recreational area of Saldropo, in the Biscay part of the park, near the famous Otzarreta beech forest. This area has a parking lot of the same name where it will be possible to leave the car to start the journey to Zeanuri.
The route is linear, so once you have followed the signs to the waterfall, you will have to return the same way. In addition, the simplicity of the route, with practically no difference in altitude, makes it an ideal route to do with children, always being particularly careful in steep or muddy areas, depending on the weather.
Gorbeia ascent route from Pagomakurre
With its 1,482 meters above sea level, Mount Gorbeia is the highest peak in the provinces of Alava and Biscay. It is possible to climb it through a perfect hiking route for nature lovers. Throughout its more than 12 kilometers in length and an 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 routes to climb the peak, the one that starts from the Pagomakurre recreational area is one of the best known. The round trip route, which climbs to the top of Gorbeia and then descends along this same mountain, has multiple markers and signs that make the route easier, although the maximum altitude is a bit high, it is not is therefore not recommended for novice hikers.
Road to 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 duration of 3 hours.
As with the ascent 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 goes into the forest, from where the route begins.
Along the route, fully signposted, you will have to cross bridges and climb paths until you reach the Eye of Atxulaur, a natural formation that gives access to the Itxina massif and from which you can enjoy a panoramic view throughout the park.
Then you can continue following the signposts until you reach Itxulegor Cave, and shortly after to Supelgor. After enjoying the enclave, the return takes the same route until reaching the starting point, crossing a large beech forest and being guided by the various markers and colored stones with red and white signs. whites.
