Goierri: the spirit of competition, sport, and challenge in the Basque Highlands
Goierri: the spirit of competition, sport, and challenge in the Basque Highlands
In Goierri, also known as the Basque Highlands, you can breathe the spirit of competition, sport, and challenge. Its name can be heard at events of international importance: the Zegama-Aizkorri Mountain Marathon, the Golden Trail World Series, and the Ehunmillak Ultra-Trail (a 167 km race that brings together 500 national and international runners in two days). The Goierriko bi Haundiak (88 km) is done in one day with 500 participants, and the Marimurumendi Maratoia Mountain Marathon (included during the weekend of the two ultra marathons) offers runners the chance to participate.
Professionals say that the Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon is special, being one of the best and most prestigious mountain marathons in the world. Mud and cold are its essence. Kilian Jornet, who has won it almost as many times as Rafa Nadal has won the French Open, admits that “Zegama is Zegama; a challenge that lies dear in my heart.” Very technical and highly difficult, today it is one of the most important races worldwide in this discipline. Proof of that is the number of international runners who attend the event every year and the expectation it raises among the athletes. In 2023, 225 runner bib numbers were assigned by lottery to 15,000 applicants. It is one of the six tests that make up the Golden Trail World Series, where the best races and the best runners in the world come together. In addition, it is the main test of the five that make up the Golden Series.
At a less competitive level, the Greenway between Mutiloa and Ormaiztegi (which has an educational itinerary that combines orienteering, hiking, and fun) runs along the old mining train route that was used to move the minerals extracted from the mines in the area and take them to Ormaiztegi, where they were transferred by rail to nearby seaports. The Greenway is located in the Goierri Mining Park, made up of various elements related to the strong mining industry that existed from ancient times until the beginning of the twentieth century. In the park, one can walk the path where minerals were transported by air cable and learn about the different resources in the area, such as the Zumalakarregi Museum, the Ormaiztegi Railway Bridge, the Ovens of Aizpitta, the Ethnographic Museum, the Zerain Hydraulic Sawmill, and the Barnaola area in the village of Mutiloa, as well as the village itself and the Liernia District. In Segura, Zegama, and Lizarrusti (Ataun) there are also eight orienteering circuits of varying degrees of difficulty, designed for all types of users.
Likewise, Goierri is a paradise for bicycle touring. You will find routes of different lengths and levels of difficulty that will give you the chance to get to know the rural Basque Country in a different way. The villages in the valleys are connected by a network of cycle lanes called bidegorri. Some are suitable for Nordic walking. There are currently two bike lanes that link the villages of the region. They are suitable for the whole family as their level of difficulty is moderate. The first of them goes from Legorreta to Ormaiztegi and passes through Itsasondo, Ordizia, and Beasain. It is 13.43 km and takes less than an hour to do this route full of historical sites, such as the medieval town of Ordizia, the Monumental Complex of Igartza, and the Zumalakarregi Museum. Legorreta-Zegama is a route measuring 20.8 km that connects the two towns and goes through Itsasondo, Ordizia, Beasain, Olaberria, Idiazabal, and Segura. Its estimated duration is one hour. Take the opportunity to make a stop in Segura and Idiazabal (where the Cheese Interpretation and Tasting Center is located).
In 2023, the Tour de France made it to the Basque Highlands, starting from the high point of the Aztiria Port and going to Zerain, and subsequently to the medieval town of Segura. From there, it passed around Idiazabal and Olaberria and reached Beasain. The next place was Ordizia, famous for its weekly market on Wednesdays which has been held since 1512. To finish, it passed through Zaldibia and began the climb to the Larraitz Port, under the imposing silhouette of the Txindoki Mountain.
Cycling is also very popular among women in the area. “Txirrindularia – The Female Cyclist” is the 80 km cycling tour that aims to promote the participation of women in this discipline. Likewise, the “Vuelta al Goierri” (“Basque Highland Cycling Tour”) is a route measuring 118 km with an overall gradient of 2,770 m which runs through several villages in the Highlands and Tolosaldea areas.
Additionally, Goierri is a suitable setting for mountain bike (or MTB) lovers. Natural paradises and vast areas of countryside await you: take your off-road bikes and venture into the Aizkorri-Aratz and Aralar Natural Parks.
“For me, the Basque Highlands are an incredible place to be able to do trekking and climbing,” explains Edurne Pasaban. What special secrets do these mountains guard to make the first woman in history to ascend the planet’s 14 eight-thousanders be a Goierri fan? Pasaban trained as a mountaineer on these peaks, and one of her favorites is the Txindoki. In the town of Ataun, there are various areas with rocks and crags suitable for sport climbing. There you will find several fully equipped schools: in total there are 250 open routes of all levels of difficulties. The areas that have climbing schools are Jentilbaratza, Aizkorrandi, Haitzartea, and Lizarrusti.
In Ataun you can enjoy the Dome – a structure formed through the rising of rocks of lower density, breaking superimposed strata of denser rocks and creating the characteristic shape. The Ataun Dome is part of the plateau formed by the Jentilbaratza, Aizkoate, Aizkorrandi, Arastortz, Agautz, Leizadi, Asundi, Loibideko Mailoak, and Ikarandieta Mountains. This plateau is known in the village as Aitzarte. If you want to see it in its entirety, a good place is the top of the Arantzazumendi Mountain, located on the border between Ataun and Idiazabal. You can also discover it through the network of trails that are in the area.
The vast Basque Highlands area also allows for horse riding, either in a closed facility or on routes and outings. The Alarpe Equestrian Center organizes outings and courses throughout the year, and the professional teachers at the equestrian center of the Ibur farmhouse offer a wide range of activities for horse fans.
Horseback riding, trails, mountain biking, bicycle touring, climbing, mountain races… the possibilities are endless for lovers of outdoor activities, but the best of all are the magnificent views that can be enjoyed in Goierri while doing sport.
The Basque Highlands
