Parks and nature reserves
· Urkiola
· Gorbeia
· Protected
biotope of Itxina
· Urdaibai
reserve of the biosphere
· Protected
Biotope of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
· Montes de
Ranero-Los Jorrios
· Ordunte
Urkiola
Location: over these Bizkaia towns: Abadiano, Amorebieta, Atxondo, Dima, Durango,
Izurza and Mañaria; and one in Álava: Aramaio
Extension: 5,955 Ha
Altitude: varies from 1,330 m at the Amboto summit to 240 m at the Uzkulueta
stream
How to get there
By car: from Bilbao, take either the A-68 or the N-634 to Durango; then, take
the BI-623 to the park´s entrance.
Public transport: 3915 bus to Durango. There, take the Durango-Vitoria bus,
stopping at Urkiola.
Description
This is one of the most popular parks, and is located at the centre of the
Basque Country. It is defined by the Anboto and Aramotz mountain ranges, which
mark the division between the Cantabrian and Mediterranean rivers. At the
top, there are rock formations and grazing grounds; further down, beech, holm
oak, and pine forests. In the valleys, we find the first mountain streams.
It holds more than 300 types of plants and trees, and 200 animal species,
among others, birds such as goshawks, sparrow hawks, vultures and falcons.
There are also interesting mammals like wildcats and European minks. And on
either of its two slopes, the Durango-Otxando, or the Arratia-Oxandio valleys,
we find a wide variety of trees: beech, oak, holm oak, and holly. The landscape
as a whole is characterised by the white limestone rocks, eroded by karstic
phenomena.
There are many activities available to the visitor: walking, cycling, and
mountain climbing with many well marked routes and paths. There are also several
companies which organize rappel, rock climbing, and speleology excursions.
Naturlan
Tel: 94 431 58 42
Kirik
Tel: 94 491 17 46
Troka Abentura
Tel: 94 677 42 65
Caserío Toki-Alai (Information Centre)
Tel: 94 681 41 55
Weekends: 10:00-14:00h and 16:00-18:00h
+ info:
www.nekanet.net
andwww.durangaldea.com
^
Gorbeia
Location: accross Bizkaia and Araba, it includes the villages of: Zuya, Cigoitia,
Urkabustaiz, Orozko, Zeberio, Areatza, Artea and Zeanuri
Extension: 20,016 Ha
Altitude: highest point: Gorbeia peak (1,481 m); lowest: Orozko, at 320 m.
How to get there
By car: take the A-68 motorway towards Vitoria-Gasteiz, after the Altube port,
follow the signs to Monte Gorbeia.
Public transport: 3917 bus (Bilbao–Hospital de Galdakao–Lemoa–Iurre–Zeanuri),
alight at Villaro and start the climb via Pagomakurre.
Description
Mount Gorbeia and the surrounding peaks conform a typical mountain landscape,
with beech and oak forests, and other species such as pine, birch, and heather.
Several streams and rivers flow through its valleys: the Baias, Zubialde,
or the Arratia river with its otter colony, and other mammals, like wild boar
and roe deer. In addition, the park holds ruins of several medieval water
mills and iron foundries. Within the park, the Altube wetlands have great
ecological value for the large number of amphibia living in them. Also of
note is the primitive beech Altube forest.
Also inside the park, we find the Itxina biotope, a karstic landscape modelled
by the effect of rain water on its rocks. Other areas of interest are the
Gujulu waterfall, the Mairuelegorreta cave, and the noticeable 18-metre tall
Gorbeia cross, at the top of this peak.
Common activities in this park are rappel, rock climbing, and mountain climbing.
Centro de Interpretación del Parque: Baias
Centre
Tel: 945 43 07 09
Parquetxea (Areatza-Bizkaia)
Tel: 94 673 92 79
Bilbao Information line: 010
+ info:
www.nekanet.net
^
Protected biotope of Itxina
Location: within the Gorbeia range, in the Orozko valley.
Municipio: Orozko (Bizkaia)
Extension: 571 Ha
Altitude: highest point is mount Lekanda, with 1,303 m.
How to get there
By car: take the A-68 to Orozko; after crossing this town, take the BI-3513
to Ibarra. From there, to Urgoiti via BI-4514, where the foot climb starts.
Public transport: 3918 bus (Bilbao-Llodio-Orozko-Ibarra)
Description
One of the most important karstic enclaves in Euskadi, the biotope of Itxina
has been created by the erosion process provoked by natural forces such as
rain. This erosion has created deep cuts in the limestone rocks, as well as
caves – they in turn ideal elements for the development of Basque mythology,
like the Supelegor cave. From its highest point, mount Lekanda, there are
excellent views of the Zeanuri and Areatza valley, as well as of the Gorbeia
range. In addition to mountain walking, Itxina is an ideal place for speleology,
which can be practised in several of the caves.
+ info:
www.acampamos.com
^
Urdaibai reserve of the biosphere
Location: part of the following villages: Ajangiz, Arraztu, Bermeo, Busturia,
Elantxobe, Forua, Gautegiz-Arteaga, Gernika-Lumo, Ibarrangelu, Kortezubi,
Mundaka, Muruaga and Sukarrieta-Pedernales.
Extension: 23,000 Ha
Altitude: in Astogana, 809 metres
How to get there
By car: Take the A-8 and exit in Amorebieta-Etxano; take the BI-635, which
crosses the Reserve south to north, accross Gernika and ends in Bermeo.
Or via Mungia: take the BI-3101 towards Bakio and then Bermeo, which crosses
the Reserve north to south, via BI-635.
Public transport:
3515 bus (Bilbao-Gernika-Bermeo), left bank
3513 bus (Bilbao-Elantxobe-Ea-Lekeitio), right bank
Train: Bilbao-Gernika-Bermeo (left bank)
Description
Unesco declared Urdaibai a Universal Biosphere Reserve in 1984. Its vast extension
holds one of the most important wetlands for migrating birds in Europe. The
heart of the reserve is the Gernika (or Mundaka) river, which ends in wide
beaches at the river mouth. There are up to 120 bird species living in the
reserve in Winter and Spring, including the fishing eagle. Among its flora,
it is worth noticing the large holm oak forest, which hides a number of pre-historic
limestone caves, such as Santimamiñe, 2 Km from Gernika, in Kortezubi.
These can be visited by prior arrangement.
The river offers the opportunity to practise canoeing, bird watching, windsurf
and surf, among others.
Gernika Tourist Office
Tel: 94 625 58 92
Bermeo Tourist Office
Tel: 94 617 91 54
Urdaibai Foundation
Tel: 94 625 71 25
+ info:
www.urdaibai.org
^
Protected Biotope of San Juan
de Gaztelugatxe
Location: Bakio and Bermeo
Extension: 158 Ha
Altitude: 50 m above sea level
How to get there
By car: Take the BI-631 towards Mungia. 2 Km after this town, take the BI-3101
to Bakio. From here, continue through the Eneperi hill; on descending, take
the turn to the San Juan hermitage.
Public transport:
3515 bus (Bilbao-Gernika-Bermeo): from Bermeo to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
every 2 hours
3518 bus (Bilbao–Bakio): from Bakio to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe every
2 hours
Train: Euskotren Bilbao–Gernika–Bermeo
Description
This is one of the most interesting enclaves of the Biscay coast. San Juan
is a rocky islet, joined to land by a stone bridge. At the top, there is a
fishermen´s hermitage reachable via a 200-step climb. Its origins date
back to the X century, and it may have been a templar monastery. Tradition
says that if you want to ask a favour from San Juan, you must start your climb
with one foot and end it with the other; otherwise you have to start all over
again.
Being a protected site, the main activity in the area is bird watching (in
addition to enjoying the fantastic sea views!).
Bakio Tourist Office
Tel: 94 619 33 95
Bermeo Tourist Office
Tel: 94 617 91 54
+ info: www.bakio.org
and www.bermeo.org
^
Montes de Ranero-Los Jorrios
Location: Karrantza-Trucios area, northeastern part of Bizkaia
Extension: 2,985 Ha
Altitude: the highest peaks are Armañón, with 854 m, and Los
Jorrios with 847 m.
How to get there
By car: take the BI-636 to Balmaseda; there, the BI-630 to Villaverde de Trucios.
From here, the park is reached via the BI-2617.
Description
This mountain enclave is located in the Encartaciones district, on the border
with Cantabria. As in most of the Cantabrian Range, the limestone rocks have
been heavily eroded, creating a varied and interesting landscape. The underground
is equally important, as there are many caves of great historical value. The
main one is Pozalagua, 30 m deep, and of paleontological interest due to its
excentric stalactites. In terms of flora, there are several indigenous forests,
the Cantabrian holm oak forest in Sopeña being the most important.
There is also a large number of animal species, especially rock-nesting birds,
and bats.
Mountain walking and climbing (mainly in Karrantza and Trucios), rock climbing,
rappel, and speleology can all be practised in the area.
Pozalagua caves visit
Tel: 649 81 16 73
Encartaciones Tourist Office
Tel: 94 680 13 56 / 02 26
Karrantza Tourist Office
Tel: 902 19 73 61
+ info:
www.karrantza.com
^
Ordunte
Location: Wstern Bizkaia, in the border with Burgos. The park is part of Arcentales,
Karrantza, and Villaverde de Trucios towns.
Extension: 3,922 Hs
How to get there
By car: from Ambasaguas, there are several local roads ascending towards Pando
and Lanzas Agudas, hamlets at the feet of the range, in the Los Tornos port
area.
Public transport: 2451 bus to Ambasaguas (Bilbao-Lanestosa); from there, walk
towards Pando, Bernales, or Lanzas Agudas.
Description
The area has a spare vegetation, but in the more secluded areas there are
some unusual bush species for the Basque Country, and some small beech and
oak forests. In terms of animal life, there are important vulture colonies,
as well as western moles and stoats, unusual in the region.
There are walking and climbing paths, as well as horse riding stables in the
Los Tornos area.
+ info: www.nekanet.net
^
