Urkiola Natural Park

The Urkiola Natural Park (5,955 ha) covers the highest terrain of the Aramotz Mountain Range, constituting a limestone barrier among the Bizkaia's regions of Arratia and Duranguesado, and the Alava's Aramaio Valley, separating at the same time the basins of the Cantabrian and Mediterranean rivers. The geographical position and the physiography of these mountains form an abrupt landscape dominated by rocky soils and highland pastures. The lower slopes and the bottom of these mountains accommodate pine tree, holm oak and pollarded beech tree groves.

Category:

Natural parks

Municipalities:

Alava: Aramaio. Bizkaia: Abadiño, Dima, Durango, Izurtza, Mañaria, Atxondo.

Information:

Caserío Toki Alai (Information Centre)
Barrio de Urkiola
ABADIÑO
Phone: 946 814 155
E-mail:tokialai@terra.es; espacios.naturales.protegidos@bizkaia.net
Web: www.urkiola.net

Servicios:

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

Datos de interés:

The abode of Mari. Urkiola natural park. A stone giant that offers a natural paradise.

One of the most outstanding groups of fauna in the Park is that of birds, represented by a large number of species of birds of prey, including Egyptian vultures, peregrine falcons, sparrow hawks and goshawks. In addition to birds of prey, flocks of wood pigeons, thrushes and passerines fly over the Urkiola hills on their long journeys. Among the mammals, another important fauna group, worth noting is the presence of several carnivores, such as the pine marten, the stone marten, the genet, the badger and the ermine.

The Urkiola Nature Reserve includes the highest areas of the Aramotz mountain range, which forms a large limestone barrier between the Vizcaya regions of Arratia, Durangaldea and the Alava valley of Aramaio, separating the Cantabrian and Mediterranean basins. If you like rugged landscapes, this is the place for you. The park includes a series of mountain ranges and limestone cliffs, ravines and deep valleys, with peaks that have inspired a great love of mountaineering and hiking.

The Anboto, its highest peak, is very popular, with the cave of Mari as a mythological reference point. The Sanctuary of Anthony of Padua and Anthony the Abbot for centuries an important spiritual reference point in the Basque Country, is located in the Natural Park. A few metres from the sanctuary is the best viewpoint in the park, the Mirador de las Tres Cruces. In front of the Urkiola Sanctuary there is a symbolic stone, a place of pilgrimage for those who wish to find a partner. Legend has it that the stone only need to be turned 3 times to find one. At the top of the Urkiola Pass is Toki Alai, the Park's Visitor Centre, which offers guided tours and activities.

Interpretation centre:

Address: Barrio Urkiola, Abadiño (Bizkaia)
Phone: +34 946 814 155
E-mail: urkiola.parke.naturala@bizkaia.eus

Enjoy the natural park

Plans and activities to experience the area

Here are just some ideas to come and visit us.

Hiking trials An authentic green treasure in Euskadi to enjoy.

The Urkiola Mountains have an extensive network of pathways, built on old communication routes, traditional mountain routes and new ones created since the Park was established.

The municipality of Abadiño has two main access points to the Park, from which numerous routes can be followed: The Urkiola pass and the Atxarte gorge.

The Atxarte gorge has a breathtaking setting, surrounded as it is by huge limestone walls, criss-crossed by magnificent climbing routes. A small stream with clear water, the hermitage of Santo Cristo, an old stone bridge, the remains of an old mill and some caves where prehistoric remains have been found give this place its personality.

The Urkiola Pass is a very popular place for pilgrims, mountaineers and hikers of all kinds. It is located in the centre of the park, at an altitude of over 700 metres, surrounded by a beautiful mountainous landscape of rocky peaks, pastures and beech forests.

The itineraries we propose will allow you to discover the natural, historical and cultural values of Urkiola. We have a wide range of routes to choose from, from simple educational itineraries to classic mountain climbs that require a good level of fitness. It is also possible to combine some of the routes we suggest. The following are 3 routes to explore this natural space:

PR-Bi-80. Getting to know the Urkiola area: Made up of two loops, this route offers the possibility of a short mountain excursion along the slopes of Saibi or an easy walk with little gradient along the paths and forests closest to the Alto de Urkiola.
Track: https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-a-pie/urkiola-pr-bi-80-urkiolako-ingurunea-ezagutzen-conociendo-el-entorno-de-urkiola-121230590
PR-Bi-50. Along the footpaths of Otxandio: A short route through the beech woods and paths of Mount Pagadui, in the area around the historic town of Otxandio. A simple route that follows the course of the Urkiola River to the Mekoleta neighbourhood, on the edge of the Urrunaga reservoir.
Track: https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-senderismo/urkiola-pr-bi-51-otxandioko-galtzadetatik-por-las-calzadas-de-otxandio-121230325
PR-Bi 81. Around Galdara: This itinerary runs along the W zone of the Aramotz karst, in the Legarmendi mountain range. An endless number of caves, chasms and crevices connect the surface with the potholers' paradise, in an environment where the Galdara caldera stands out, a karst depression of considerable dimensions that we will walk around along on our route.
Track: https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-senderismo/urkiola-pr-bi-81-galdarako-bira-rodeando-galdara-121230083

Basque herding culture Shepherd for a day. Discover and learn about the traditional work of Basque shepherds.

Imagine waking up to the gentle murmur of nature, the fresh air caressing your face and the mountainous landscape stretching out before you. From the moment you join this experience, you will be taken on a journey back in time, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immersed in the serenity of rural life.

Accompanied by expert local shepherds, you will learn the secrets of caring for the Latxas sheep, an indigenous Basque breed known for its resistance and the quality of its milk, essential for the production of delicious artisan cheeses. You will be taught various activities related to shepherding.

During your day as a shepherd, you will be able to take part in activities such as milking the sheep, an authentic an authentic experience that will connect you with nature and its cycles. You will discover the importance of sustainable shepherding in the conservation of local ecosystems and the fundamental role that traditions play in the preservation of biodiversity.

As well as enjoying the company of these docile and curious animals, you will have the opportunity to delight in a picnic lunch with local products, where you can savour the exquisite cheeses and sausages produced in the region, while contemplating the stunning panoramic views of the Urkiola Natural Park.

This unique experience will not only allow you to disconnect from your daily routine, but will also invite you to immerse yourself in the cultural and natural wealth of this Basque region, where every moment becomes a lesson in humility and admiration for the environment that surrounds us.

Ecoturing in Durangaldea The route that takes us to the must-see treasures of Urkiola.

This route by car allows you to visit all the 'must-see' places in Durangaldea. Starting from the Urkiola Natural Park, we go down the mountain pass going through Mañaria and Izurtza before entering Durango via Tabira. Here it is worth visiting the well-kept old town and the Museum of History and Art. After climbing to the balconies of Durangaldea in Goiuria, Momoitio and Garai, we descend again through Gerediaga to head toward Berriz where we stop to visit the botanical-historical garden of Berrizjauregi, next to the town hall. Continuing in the direction of Elorrio, before reaching the historic centre, we visit the Argineta necropolis. We continue towards the tower of Muntsaratz in Abadiño, but before we reach it, we turn left to see another view of the Urkiola Nature Reserve, this time from the northern side, with the farmhouses of the green Atxondo valley below the rocky mass of Anboto and next to the Arrazola Greenway.