Aiako harriak & Artikutza
Aiako Harriak Natural Park & Artikutza
Aiako Harria in Basque or Peñas de Aya in Spanish, is a granite massif, 20 mins from San Sebastian.
The range is very popular with the inhabitants of the area. The massif comprises three summits, namely Irumugarrieta (806 m), Txurrumurru (821 m) and Erroilbide (837 m). At its western foot, the mountain holds the site Arditurri related to ancient Roman Oiasso city with a network of mine corridors carved in the rock by Romans.
If you like the vertical feeling, this rocky and big wall mountain will make you happy. If you like history, there is a bunch of sites that go from old prehistorical Cromlechs to modern mines.
Besides the Park, there is a special place called Artikutza, known for being one of the wettest places in Spain. It counts with one of the biggest surfaces of protected forest of the region. It is a paradise for the spectacular beech trees that has found here the best conditions in Europe to settle down.
Itinerary 1: the tour of Aiako Harriak
Level: medium
Elevation: 1200 feet (400 m)
Duration: 6 hours walk
Distance: 7,5 milles (12 km)
Starting Time: 8h30 (8:30am)
Arrival Time: 15h30 (3:30pm)
Description:
This walk has been designed to admire both sides of the range. On go way we will walk through the steep mountainside visiting the waterfalls that flow from the top of the mountain. On the return way we will take a flat and beautiful way along one channel created to transport water.
Itinerary 2: Artikutza
Level: easy
Elevation: 1200 feet (400 m)
Duration: 4 hours walk
Distance: 7,5 milles (12 km)
Starting Time: 8h30 (8:30am)
Arrival Time: 14h30 (3:30pm)
Description:
This tour has been created for families and easygoing walkers that want to admire one of the wildest places in the Basque Country.
The village of Artikutza is a territory that belongs to San Sebastian’s city hall and has been conserved as it was a 100 years ago. This forest has not been used for human purposes since them and has recovered itself finding it now as it was in the prehistorical times.
We also will take advantage to visit old places where industrial activities where carried on, such as coal manufacturing, mining or mineral transportation. In Artikutza, it was running the longest train for narrow railways of Spain until it was closed in 1917.
What should I bring?
Eating: we will do a break in order to have some snack. Each person will carry its own food. As suggestions you could bring: a sandwich, nuts, fruit, energetic bars, etc, … Drinking: minimum a litre of water
What's Included
– Expert mountain guiding provide by a certified mountain guide.
– Transport
What's Extra
– Food and drinks.
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