Urkiola Natural Reserve

Surrounded, in sharp contrast to the wild limestone summits, by marvellous landscapes with their plains and woods, Urkiola is a place of constant pilgrimage and the perfect place for people who love retreat and nature.

Over the centuries, the Shrine of Urkiola, dedicated to the saints San Antonio Abad and San Antonio de Padua, and located at the very centre of the Park, has been the destination of pilgrims from near and far.

The peaks of the Urkiola mountain range have long been a favourite among mountaineers and trekkers. The precipitous rock faces of Atxatxiki, Urrestei and Alluitz are perfect for rockclimbing and have been the training ground for many of the great Basque mountaineers. Anboto, the highest peak, is very popular among climbers but only the most daring visit Mari cave, home to the "Lady of Anboto" according to Basque mythology, on the northern face. Other important caves include Bolinkoba, Jentilkobea, Baltzola and the bridge of the Jentilen zubia, etc.

There are a large number of recommended routes through the Park: these are signposted as GRs and PRs, the educational or specific routes of the Park, and described in brochures that can be picked up at the Toki Alai, the Parketxe or Information Centre.

Several picnic facilities can be found here. The villages in the surrounding area have a large number of restaurants which serve up traditional Basque cooking and provide accommodation at reasonable prices, many of them as rural guesthouses or properties.

Historic territory
Limit between Álava and Vizcaya

Surface area
5,955 Ha.

Altitude
Highest point: Anboto summit (1,330 m.)
Lowest point: Urkuleta stream (240 m)

Routes
There are different routes, some of educational nature and others signposted as Long and Short Routes

Other places of interest
San Antonio Abad and Padua Shrines
Irugurutze Observation Point: from this point we can contemplate a privileged panorama of mountains and valleys
Surrounding towns: they have interesting examples of cultural heritage, both civil and religious