The Gorbeia massif has a deep meaning for Vizcaínos. It is part of the Basque Mountains and is closely linked to Bizkaia’s history, as it is one of the five montes bocineros (horn mountains), from which the General Meetings of Bizkaia were summoned using bonfires and horns.

In Gorbeia, you will find many different landscapes: rugged mountains, rolling greeneries dotted with magical oak and holm oak forests, and a karst scenery that accommodates nearly 500 caves and caverns. The landscape is crossed by crystal-clear rivers and springs whose sounds speak of legends and mythological characters. The sources of the rivers Bayas and Zubialde are to be found amidst the woods. Shepherds and their sheep have used this pastureland for centuries. The Latxa sheep, whose milk is used to make Idiazabal cheese, graze on the Gorbeia land, covered with young tender grass.

The Itxina Protected Biotope and the Gujuli waterfall (100m high) are the top attractions. A maze of potholes and caves cut through the Itxina massif, in Orozko. The landscape is particularly magnificent in autumn, when the beech trees’ leaves turn red.
The main entrance to the Itxina massif is Ojo de Atxular, a fabulous geological formation at an elevation of 1100m in the karst land. Of the numerous caves, Supelegor stands out. The goddess Mari lives inside the cave. Lamias and basajaun (mythological chimeras and hominids, respectively) were said to dwell in these hollows in the earth, while sorgiñas (witches) held meetings sitting around a bonfire at the entrance of the cave.

Established as a nature park by the Basque Government in 1994, Gorbeia includes the Gorbeia Mountain and the nearby peaks (Gorbeiagane, Aldamin, Oketa and Berretin). It covers the towns of Areatza, Artea, Orozko, Zeanuri and Zeberio, in Bizkaia, and Zigoitia, Zuia and Urkabustaiz, in Álava.

As to the park’s fauna, it consists of deer, wild boars, minks, badgers, wild cats and birds of prey. On the road you will see grazing cattle and sheep as well.

Routes

The Park offers numerous routes, the best-known being the hiking route in the Gorbeia Mountain from the Pagomakurre recreational area. Vizcaínos gather at the foothill to climb up the Gorbeia on 1 January every year, a tradition that has been kept alive over time. The Gorbeia Mountain can be reached from Areatza, a 30 minutes’ drive from Bilbao, on road N-240. At the centre of town, take a detour on the asphalt track that leads to the recreational area of Pagomakurre. Park your car there. The 12km hiking trail is easy and clearly signposted. For a two-way hike, allow 4 hours.

To climb to the top of the mythical Gorbeia, take the usual route departing from Pagomakurre, in Areatza

In Pagomakurre, take the broad path that leads to Arraba. Make your way through the pass of Arrabakoate. Walk across the pastureland and past the shelter of Elorria (Basque Mountaineering Society).

Continue along the path beneath the crag of Gatzarrieta on your search for the pass of Aldape, which opens to the basin of Egiriñao, at the foot of the mountain. Soon after, you will come across the shelter of Egiriñao and the tiny chapel of Virgen de las Nieves.

The path goes through the hill of Aldamiñoste, which sits between Gorbeia (1482m) and Aldamin (1378m). Walk past the spring of Lekuotz and start climbing the thoughest -and the final- uphill stretch. At the summit, you will find the emblematic Gorbeia Cross and a bronze statue of Our Lady of Begoña.

The first cross was set up in 1899 and has been replaced more than once since then. The third one, 17m high, resembles the Eiffel Tower. Actually, you will be standing at the highest peak in Bizkaia. Take a selfie by the cross and enjoy the spectacular views of Udalaitz, Mount Anboto, the Aizkorri massif and the town of Orduña.