Introducing the definitive guide to the Basque Highlands to help you make the most of this ecoregion
Introducing the definitive guide to the Basque Highlands to help you make the most of this ecoregion
In times like these in which sustainability is on everyone’s minds, it is worth it to visit regions that have been recognized precisely for having opted for sustainable tourism. One of those regions is Goierri, also known as the Basque Highlands – recipient of the European Destinations of Excellence Award. This region offers a wide variety of leisure options, especially for lovers of nature, traditional cuisine, and culture. Its proximity to the capital cities of the Basque country, its wide variety of lodging options and restaurants, and the authenticity of the place make it ideal for getaways of 3 to 5 days. In this guide, we offer several activities that are suitable for all audiences so that you can make the most of this ecoregion.
Immersion in Basque Culture
The Goierri region is made up of 18 municipalities, the best-known and most inhabited of which are Ordizia, Lazkao, and Beasain. In Beasain, María de Igartza commissioned, at the beginning of the sixteenth century, the construction of the largest wood palace ever built in the Basque Country on a plot that had formerly been occupied by a medieval tower house. This place was, after the Middle Ages, along one of the most important land routes between Paris and Madrid, and its bridge, built at the beginning of the seventeenth century, acted as link between the two cities for travelers who were crossing the Oria River. In 1611, Isabel de Lobiano built a lodging establishment next to the bridge and the palace, which continues to be used as a hotel today. This spectacular monumental complex known as Igartza is rounded off by a hermitage, a dam, a mill, and a forge – all of which can be visited today.
In addition to the aforementioned trade route, Goierri is a place of transit for other mass pilgrimages, such as the Tunnel Route of Saint James, which becomes a “Camino Real” (“Royal Road”) in this region. The San Adrián Tunnel and the Basque Highlands’ mountains make this stage of the journey one of the most spectacular ones. In the year 2015, the Northern Way of Saint James was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and the San Adrián Tunnel was declared a milestone along the journey.
Among the area’s most noteworthy museums there is the José Miguel Barandiaran Museum, in Ataun, dedicated to the patriarch of Basque Culture and to mythology, the Segura Medieval Interpretation Center, which showcases the lifestyle of the Middle Ages, and the nearby Zumalakarregi Museum in Ormaiztegi, which provides information on the life of Carlist general Tomas de Zumalakarregi. The cultural landscape of Zerain is made up of an ethnographic museum, a water-powered sawmill, a prison, and a shop with handmade items. Those traveling with children cannot miss the Aizpea Mining Complex, where the mines and their galleries can be visited.
One of the most important religious events of the year is Segura’s Holy Week Procession, one of the few that continued to be held on a world level after Pope Paul VI decided to do away with them at the Second Vatican Council. This procession dates back to the seventeenth century and brings together hundreds of devotees, tourists, and lovers of folklore every Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
Outdoor Sports
The Basque Highland region is located between the Aizkorri-Aratz and Aralar Natural Parks. Both parks have an Interpretation Center, in Zegama and Ataun respectively, where information is provided on access to the natural parks and the activities that can be done therein, such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, leisurely rides over their bike lanes, and simply enjoying the scenery around the parks by car. Additionally, at the entrance of the Aralar Natural Park from Lizarrusti, in Ataun, there is an adventure park for families to enjoy.
The Basque Highlands have two magnificent paths for hiking: GR-283 and the Green Way. GR-283, known as the “Cheese Trail,” crosses the Aralar and Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Parks over a path of 100 km, which is usually done in six stages and allows one to discover the secrets of Idiazabal Cheese production by making stops at dairies and places related with the production of this delicacy.
The Green Way ties together the municipalities of Mutiloa and Ormaiztegi over a 4.2-kilometer path that is recommended for families and also has an orienteering game for children.
Goierri likewise has the first National Trail Running Station, which reaches the neighboring region of Tolosaldea and is marked and equipped for mountain runners of all levels.
Leisure Ideas for Gourmets
Idiazabal cheese has made the Basque Highlands region famous. This product is made with raw Latxa sheep milk through the same sustainable, artisanal production method as that used centuries ago. Idiazabal cheese has its own Designation of Origin and has received numerous accolades from the prestigious International Cheese World Awards.
The Basque Highlands region offers you the chance to become immersed in the world of Idiazabal cheese by visiting the shepherds’ shanties in the mountains, the dairies, the Idiazabal Cheese Interpretation and Tasting Center, and by doing tastings and pairing the cheese with local txakoli wine, cider, white wine, sparkling wine, champagne, and Sherry wines.
Another must-see place is the Ordizia Market –the oldest and most important of the Basque Country– held every Wednesday since 1512. The farmers from the region go there every week to sell the products they reap from the land. Local chefs organize guided tours of the market and suggest recipes that use seasonal foods and which are later cooked in expert cooking classes.
The number of things that this region has to offer means that you can spend several days visiting its monuments, moving about, and allowing yourself to be seduced by its extraordinary food; having said that, those who don’t have time should at least do a day trip to the Basque Highlands, as they are located just 30 minutes from San Sebastián, 1 hour from Bilbao, and 45 minutes from Vitoria and Pamplona. Regions like this are always worth a special look, as they have gone so far in terms of their sustainable touristic development.
The Basque Highlands
Tel.: +34 943 161 823
