Leitzaran Protected Biotope

We are not used in Gipuzkoa or Bizkaia to seeing fairly large rivers with a kilometres-long stretch of flowing clean water. Due to this fact, among other remarkable values, the River Leitzaran is worthy of being declared Protected Biotope.

Category:

Protected Biotopes

Municipalities:

Gipuzkoa: Andoain, Berastegi, Elduain, Villabona.

Information:

Leizaran 31
Tel: 943 590 409

Tolosaldea Tour
Tel: 943 697 413
Fax: 943 676 213
E-mail: tour@tolosaldea.net

Servicios:

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

Datos de interés:

The River Leitzaran makes its way into Gipuzkoa from Navarre's area of Leitza, and flowing through rapids, dams and meanders, under the shade of alder groves in a narrow and uninhabited valley, until flowing into the River Oria in the town of Andoain.

Plazaola Greenway

This was a traditional railway link between Gipuzkoa and Navarre. In fact, the Pamplona/Iruña-San Sebastián train ran along its banks between 1914 and 1953. The topography is so complex that almost twenty tunnels had to be opened for its construction.

Now this entire area, which is still home to the remains of some stations (Ameraun and Plazaola), is a popular hiking route known as Plazaola Greenway to get in touch with nature, used by riders and hikers that walk across the tunnels where lighting has been recently introduced. There are various recreational and picnic areas by the river and on the hillsides. Leizaran also has a remarkable cultural heritage, including cromlechs, dolmens and smithies.

Besides, there is a significant difference in height from the surrounding mountains (Mandoegi, 1,043 m) down into the valley and numerous streams run down the hillsides.

The basin of the River Leizaran on its way through the biotope is a common trout fishing area. There are four fishing preserves, one for catch and release fishing and another for intensive fishing.

Remarks

The former Plazaola railway stretch between Andoain and Otita Rural Park (5 km) is accessible to disabled people.

The opening of Leitzaran Valley's Water Interpretation Centre and Fishing School is expected to be soon in the Otita Rural Park.

Camping is allowed in the Bertxin area in the park entrance.

Fauna

The Leizaran River is rich in fish resources, which is a reflection of its water quality. Apart from being a trout river (trout fishing is an important pastime here), Leitzaran also houses in several spots of the course peculiar species such as the Pyrenean newt and the Iberian muskrat. This is in fact the only place in the Basque Autonomous Region where this kind of newt has been sighted.

The dipper and the kingfisher can be seen overflying the Leitzaran Riverand its tributaries. It should also be mentioned that the Atlantic salmon recovery programme in the Oria River is also concentrating its efforts on the Leitzaran River.

Flora

Among the plants there are remarkable typical species of very humid soil and environments, such as the Soldanella villosa and the Saxifraga clusii. The higher parts of the valley are home to a number of very interesting places. Usabelartza Pass houses one of the most important areas of peat bog sphagnum in the Basque Autonomous Community, including various outstanding species of flora.

Along much of its course, the river still preserves narrow alder groves characteristics of river banks, as well as oak woods (pedunculate and albar species) and beech groves.

Location and accomodations in the neighborhoods

Access: From Andoain, take the GI-3091 up to the rural park of Otita (entrance to Leitzaran). We can get to the park on foot or by bike from the town centre of Andoain through the Plazaola Greenway (the former railway).

From the N-1 gain access to the A-15 for Pamplona/Iruña. Take the Leitza Exit for Berastegi. The track we run into just after leaving Urto Pass leads to Leitzaran.

Car Park: There is large car park at the entrance to Leitzaran Valley in the rural park of Otita (Andoain). It is possible to park in the town centre of Andoain, where we can gain access to the Plazaola Green Route. There is another car park at the Urto Pass (Berastegi).