(work in progress)
If you are in the Basque Country and you love nature and hiking, here is a selection of the most beautiful mountains of the area. They are not necessarily the highest ones, but they are certainly the most impressive considering the location and the landscapes.
URSUIA
683 m
Beautiful and lovely lansdacape
Perfect for families with children
Technical difficulty: Trekking
Time: 1 h 56 min
Starting point: Macaye
Elevation gain: 320 m
Distance: 5,00 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Auberge Ostape €€€-€ (Bidarray)
Ithurria €€€-€ (Ainhoa)
Arrambide €€€-€ (Saint-Jean-Pied-De-Port)
AUZA
1.296 m
The Basque Country in its pure state
It is the mountain that best represents the famous Baztan Valley
Technical difficulty: Trekking
Time: 4 h 25 min
Starting point: Alto de Izpegi
Elevation gain: 737 m
Distance: 9,77 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Izpegiko Benta €€
LA RHUNE
902 m
The world of mystery and smugglers
Circular route "Le grand boucle"
Technical difficulty: Trekking
Time: 3 h 30 min
Starting point: Trabenia (barrio Manttu Baita)
Elevation gain: 884 m
Distance: 11,4 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Venta Yasola €
PEÑAS DE AIA
833 m
One of the oldest mountains in the Pyrenees
Technical difficulty: Middle mountain
Time: 3 h 20 min
Starting point: Aialde Restaurant
Elevation gain: 530 m
Distance: 7,15 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Aialde Rest. €€ (Lesaka)
ERNIO
1.078 m
Relevant summit in local culture
On Sundays in September pilgrimsgo up to the peak. It contains a special curiosity, which consists of the existence of metal rings that are found on the cross near to the summit, to which healing properties are given when passing them through any of the sick members
Technical difficulty: Trekking
Time: 3 h
Starting point: Iturrioz
Elevation gain: 495 m
Distance: 8 km
Google maps
Gastronomic tip:
Antonioren Borda - Zelatun €€
TXINDOKI
1.346 m
Probably the summit most climbed by the people in the environment
It is located in the important grazing area of the Aralar massif
Technical difficulty: Trekking
Time: 4 h
Starting point: Larraitz
Elevation gain: 941 m
Distance: 13 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Larraitz Gain Rest. €€ (Larraitz)
Itxurrene Rest. €€ (Lazkaomendi)
AIZKORRI
1.551 m
Its name means red rock and, although its summit is not the highest in its massif but it is the most popular
Pleasant walk through forests and meadows and a great 360-degree watchtower over its surroundings
Technical difficulty: Trekking
Time: 5 h 15 min
Starting point: Aránzazu
Elevation gain: 792 m
Distance: 16 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Goiko Benta €€€ (Aránzazu)
Urbiako Fonda €€ (Urbía)
ANBOTO
1.331 m
beautiful and haughty mountain, emblematic place of Basque mythology
Technical difficulty: Middle mountain
Time: 5 h 46 min
Starting point: Arrazola
Elevation gain: 1.120 m
Distance: 12,45 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Makatzeta Rest. €€€ (Arrazola)
Asador Etxebarri Rest. €€€€-€ Axpe)
MORE MOUNTAINS AROUND US
ANIE - AUÑAMENDI
2.504 m
It is the sacred mountain of the Basques and has a great weight in their mythology. It was said in Lescún that the witch Yanagarri, who lived on its summit, launched tremendous storms into the valleys. It is also the first mountain that exceeds 2,500 m of the Pyrenean chain from the Ocean
Difficulty level: Middle mountain
Time: 7 h 30 min
Starting point: Piedra de San Martín (Ernaz mountain pass)
Elevation gain: 1,100 m
Distance: 17 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Venta Juan Pito (Belagua)
AGUJAS DE ANSABERE - PETRETXEMA
2.371 m
Beautiful route through a landscape of rocky needles
Difficulty level: Middle mountain
Time: 3 h 40 min
Starting point: Lamary Bridge (Lescun)
Elevation gain: 1,200 m
Distance: 10.7 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Tabac des Bergers Bar €€ (Lescun)
BURQ (SELVA DE OZA)
2.110 m
Spectacular views and pleasant ascent
Difficulty level: Trekking
Time: 2 h 15 min
Starting point: La Mina (Guarrinza- Selva de Oza)
Elevation gain: 880 m
Distance: 12 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Comidas Costeros Bar (Selva de Oza)
MONTAGNON D'ISEYE
2.173 m
Curious and singular lake at the base of the summit that turns this peak into a very visited place
Difficulty level: Middle mountain
Time: 3 h 30 min
Starting point: Aydius
Elevation gain: 1,440 m
Distance: 15 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Auberge des Isards €€ (Aydius)
MIDI D'OSSAU
2.884 m
Mythical Pyrenean mountain that must be climbed with a good technique of rock progression. Helmet and rope are necessary. Ascend very early in the morning to avoid, as far as possible
Difficulty level: High mountain
Time: 5 h
Departure point: Pombie Refuge
Elevation gain: 900 m
Distance: 7 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Malinche Rest. (Sallent de Gállego)
VIGNEMALE
3.299 m
The most complete glacier of the Pyrenees
Ascent from Pont d'Espagne, this is the longest ascent route but also the most interesting. You can bivouac or sleep in the refuges of Gaube or Baisellance
Ice axe, rope and crampons required
Difficulty level: High mountain
Time: 2 days 15 h
Departure point: Pont d'Espagne
Elevation gain: 2,400 m
Distance: 30 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
A La Bonne Franquette (Cauterets)
TAILLON
3.144 m
Very interesting ascent with excellent views.
Recommended ice axe
Difficulty level: High mountain
Time: 7 h
Starting point: Col des Tentes
Elevation gain: 1,000 m
Distance: 14 km
Google map
NEOUVIELLE
3.091 m
Beatiful summit of easy access in a place of singular beauty
Difficulty level: High mountain
Time: 6 h 30 min
Starting point: Lac d'Aubert
Elevation gain: 1,000 m
Distance: 8.3 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Bar Le Balthazar (Sint-Lary-Soulan)
ANETO
3.404 m
The highest summit in the Pyrenees
Helmet, ice axe, crampons and rope
Difficulty level: High mountain
Time: 9 h
Starting point: La Renclusa Refuge
Elevation gain: 1,350 m
Distance: 12,5 km
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
La Parrilla Rest. €€ (Benasque)
NARANJO DE BULNES
2.518 m
Mythical place of mountaineering in Picos de Europa
(Exclusively for expert climbers)
Normal South Face
Difficulty level: High mountain + climbing experience up to V
Time: 4 h to the summit, 6 h 45 min return to the refuge
Departure point: Vega de Urriellu/ Delgado Úbeda Refuge
Elevation gain: 578 m (5 length of climbing included)
Google maps
*Gastronomic tip:
Peña Catil Rest. €€ (Sotres)
* Difficulty levels
The 3 levels of difficulty of the Basquecountryspirit site:
The difficulty levels of Basquecountryspirit have been taken from the famous and extremely useful Guide Rando (Rando edition).
1 Trekking
You have a bit experience on mountain, but you still do not have it in orienting yourself properly:
You have the level of Trekking.
- You can do 5-hour tours with skills in the descent that allow you to reduce your descent time between 15 and 20% compared to the ascent time.
- You are in fairly good physical shape.
- You can go flat or on hills for several hours without problem.
- His knowledge of the mountain is very superficial.
- You do not know how to orient yourself effectively.
- You have the right footwear and equipment for the march.
2 Middle mountain
You have experience in mountain, you know how to use the map and the compass or other technological means of orientation (GPSs, Tracks ...):
You have the level of Middle mountain.
-The routes that you undertake, at times, can involve more than 8 hours of walking. The descent, if it is carried out by the same route, involves 3/4 of the descent time.
- You are in good physical form.
- You have recent experience in mid-mountain.
- You are properly equipped (footwear, backpack, enough liquids, reserve energy food….)
–You know how to orient yourself and have the necessary elements, map, GPS, additional batteries ...).
- Leaving the marked paths when necessary is not a stressful situation for you.
3 High mountain
You have experience in high mountains in rocky and snow environments:
You have the level of High mountain.
- The routes of more than 6 hours with ridges and peaks are part of yours usual outings. Its descent time is approximately 30% of the ascent time.
- You know how to use the ice ax and crampons.
- Without being adept at climbing, you are able to use your hands and enjoy his progression on rock.