Entzia Mountain Range

Entzia Mountain Range is the western continuation of Urbasa Mountain Range, in Navarre. This natural spot covers an area of 4,991.4 hectares. Thus, it is located in the northeastern area of Alava's territory, which is very easy to visit, as it mostly comprises a high plateau enclosed by a ridge to the north and another to the south, with abrupt drops to Alava's Plain and the Arana Valley.

Clasificación:

Future protected areas

Municipios:

Alava: Asparrena, Arraia-Maeztu, Salvatierra/Agurain, San Millán/Donemiliaga, Harana/Valle de Arana.

Información:

Cuadrilla de Salvatierra-Agurain
Calle Mayor, 8 (Agurain)
Phone: 945 302 931
E-mail: turismo@cuadrillasalvatierra.org

Parzonería de Entzia
Phone: 945 300 155

Servicios:

Informa de la existencia de una ruta-circuito para hacer gimnasia o deporte

Datos de interés:

Driving along the Pamplona/Iruña dual carriageway to Vitoria, on the limits of Navarre and Alava, we will admire the imposing and sharply tapering calcerous summits of Legunbe (1,127 m), Ballo (1,197 m) and Arrigorrista (1,143 m). In Agurain we will follow the road to Opakua Mountain Pass and after climbing its steep hills through gall-oak and beech forests we will suddenly find ourselves on the plateau, at a height of around 1,000 m. We will find a flat land of meadows, heather-juniper thickets and other areas populated by magnificent beech woods.

Opakua Mountain Pass, which makes its way through the area, has a turn off (Iturrieta) in the middle of the plateau leading to Roitegi and Onraita, the highest villages in Alava. Nearby we can visit the deep ravine of Igoroin, and the gall-oak forest covering the sides of its hills near the Musitu stream. Within the ravine we will be able to observe the remains of the ancient Igoroin settlement, one of the small villages that disappeared from the royal Valley of Laminoria.

Following the other branch of the road will take us to the hermitage of Santa Teodosia (1,060 m), with a new recreational park in the surroundings and its splendid surrounding ash grove, home to a tree classed as singular. If we continue along the main Opakua road it will take us towards Constrasta and the Vlley or Arana, enclosed between the meridional crest of Entzia (Murube, San Cristobal, Bitigarras summits) and those of Lokiz.

The easy access to the plateau and the spectacular views from the summits attract numerous mountaineers. In fact, there are different paths to be followed both on foot and by mountain bike, hence permitting us to enjoy this marvellous landscape while returning into the past by visiting the prehistoric remains scattered all over this massif, which reflect the ancient shepherding tradition: monoliths, cromlechs, dolmens, tumulus, sites in caves or in the open air... megalithic monuments of extraordinary value, due both to their size and to their state of preservation are the Sorginetxe and Egileor dolmens, Mendiluze cromlech and Itaida menhir.

Remarks

The Inguru Company offers the chance to enjoy actively this natural environment: canyoning, mountain-biking, orienteering, rock-climbing, abseiling, bungee jumping, potholing, hiking, canoeing, horse-riding, paragliding (two-seater), plane rides, and so on. Ask for more information in Inguru Abentura. Phone: 635 748 947/ 635 748 948.

Fauna

Among the animal kingdom, on the fields and among bushes we will see splendid mares, apart from latxa sheep and cows. We will also mention the goshawk, and among the mammals we cannot forget the wild cat and the marten. They live in the forests of Entzia, although they are normally difficult to spot since they mainly come out at night. The yearly production of beechnuts provide with food considerable numbers of wild boars, whereas some of the ponds and wetlands are home to the Alpine newt and agile frog.

Flora

Regarding the magnificent groves of beech trees, the local forest par excellence, and the gall-oaks, several other species are also to be found, such as the Pyrenean oak wood on the sunny slopes of Bitigarra (1,169 m) or the oak wood of Bikuña (San Millán).

Ubicación y alojamientos en el entorno

Access: Follow the E-804/AP-68, which connects Vitoria and Pamplona/Iruña with Agurain. Once there, take the A-2128 for Opakua Mountain Pass. Later, turn the first road left.

Public Transport: By bus: Alsa offers bus services to/from Agurain. The bus stop is situated about 9 kilometres from Opakua Mountain Pass. Otherwise, Hermanos Arriaga offers buses under request in several spots close to the port (Kontrasta, Roitegi/Erroitegi, Onraita...) For more information call: 945 285 000.

By train: RENFE offers train services to/from Agurain. The closest station is located about 10 kilometres from Opakua.

Car Park: On the left of the Opakua pass you will find a path that crosses Entzia. There are several car parks throughout the road.