Guipuzcoa Natural Reserves
Aitzgorri
Aitzgorri is about to be declared a Natural Park. This Park contains
the highest massif in the Basque Country and is called after the
peak of the same name. This natural vantage point with peaks of
over 1000 m is formed by the Aitzgorri, Elgea, Urkilla mountain
ranges and the Altzaina mountains. Some of its most important
natural features include its geology (the carbonated nature of
its materials that have given rise to a wide range of different
morphologies), the variety of its vegetation, etc.
To the east, the crests of the mountains fall vertically towards
Zegama, bathed by the river Oria, and merge towards the west with
the open fields of the Campas de Urbía, “the paradise
of the Basque Country”, where a large number of dolmens
scattered all over the valley bear witness to the presence of
prehistoric man in this area. Nowadays, the Campas de Urbía
are dotted with modest shepherds' huts.
Aitzgorri is the most visited summit in this mountain range and
can be climbed from the Sanctuary of Arantzazu or from the village
of Zalduendo in Alava. Nearby you will find the caves or "tunnel"
and medieval roadway of San Adrián, used by pilgrims making
their way along the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James).
Aiako Harria Natural Park
The Aiako Harria Natural Park is located on the foothills of the
Pyrenees, in the eastern part of the province of Guipúzcoa.
It includes a Palaeozoic massif containing outcrops of the oldest
materials in the Basque Country. Eruptions of volcanic rock metamorphosised
the Palaeozoic materials on the surface and today, erosion has
revealed the vivid granite mass of Aiako Harria. This singular
arrangement of layers of different materials represents one of
the geological marvels of the Basque Country.
Aiako Harria comprises a series of narrow, steep-sided valleys,
ravines and waterfalls. In spite of the fact that some areas of
the Park are covered by conifer plantations, there are also stretches
of natural forest such as the mixed forest of oak and beech of
Añarbe, the forest of Pendulate and Pyrenean oak of Endara
and the beech wood of Oianleku. In addition to these woods and
forests, the most singular types of vegetation due to their biological
interest are the small areas of sphagnum or peat moss, which grow
between silica rocks, and communities of plants in protected areas
close to small streams.
The fauna found on the Park corresponds basically to the Euro
Siberian type. There are 147 species of vertebrates, the most
important of which are forest species such as roe deer and wild
boar, Griffin vultures that form colonies high up on the crags
and cliffs, and aquatic animals such as salmon.
Aralar Natural Park
The Aralar Natural Park is set in one of the most mountainous
areas in the Basque Country. This Park, famous for its stunning
landscapes, is located in the southeast of the province of Guipúzcoa,
sharing a border with the neighbouring province of Navarre.
The centre of the massif is dominated by extensive pastures used
for grazing large flocks of sheep of the "latxa" breed.
Almost fifty shepherds farm in this area and live in huts scattered
all over the mountainside where they attend to their flocks for
much of the year (normally from the end of May to November). This
sheep-breeding tradition goes back several thousands of years
and the large numbers of megalithic monuments are elegant proof
of this: dolmens, burial mounds, cromlechs and menhirs.
Inside the Park there are nature reserves of exceptional importance,
such as t is a he beech woods of Akaitz, famous for the large
number of yew trees, the Pardarri lapiaz and the hillsides and
valleys of the northern face of Txindoki, with very singular species
of flora and fauna, the crests of the "domo de Ataun",
the Arritzaga valley and the glacial circus of Pardelutz of exceptional
geological interest, large, leafy forests, etc.
Pagoeta Park
The centre of the Park is formed by two estates, Pagoeta and Altzola,
which belong to the Provincial Council of Guipúzcoa. Other
features include the headwaters of the streams Manterola and Almizuri
and the foothills of Mount Pagoeta.
This area, situated between the coast and the inland valleys,
is characterised for its very rugged terrain, with dramatic fluctuations
in height. The Park has two main types of vegetation: natural
forests and scrubland. There are also extensive pastures high
up in the mountains and around the farmhouses. The areas of reforestation
are also important, especially those on the left bank of the Altzolaras
erreka.
Due to the existence of a wide variety of different habitats on
the Park, there are many different kinds of fauna. There are several
species included in the Catalogue of Threatened Species of the
Basque Country, such as the Egyptian vulture, the grey dormouse,
the honey buzzard and the short-toed eagle.
For several years, the estate belonging to the Provincial Council
has been operated like a Forestry Park in which a large number
of nature conservation and environmental courses are given. There
is a wide range of facilities, the most important of which is
the Iturraran reception centre, the hostel and nature school,
an apiary used for teaching purposes, an arboretum with more than
1300 species, several recreational areas and the old Agorregi
ironworks.
Guipuzcoa guide