Other protected areas of the Basque Country that you can discover with companies from the Ecotourism Club in Spain
The Basque Country has a vast area of high environmental value, which has led to 23% of the land being put under some form of protection: 9 natural parks, more than 60 sites in the Natura 2000 network, 1 Geopark and 1 Biosphere Reserve. The huge variety of natural resources and its culture, cuisine and traditions offer visitors a wide range of ecotourism experiences to enjoy and get to know every aspect of these unique and beautiful surroundings.
The Basque Country’s commitment to ecotourism and promoting its natural spaces began in 2016 with the signing of the Daimiel Ecotourism Declaration. Since then, two of its protected areas have joined the Ecotourism Club in Spain: the Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark and the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, which have certified companies and collaborators within them.
In addition to these destinations and their companies, there are more companies offering accommodation and guided activities in other protected areas of the Basque Country that have also been certified by the Ecotourism Club in Spain, as they meet a series of requirements related to the conservation of local biodiversity, support for local development, environmental sustainability measures and more.
Would you like to discover these natural areas with the best hosts?
Protected areas:
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- Aiako Harria Natural Park (Gipuzkoa)
- Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park (Álava and Gipuzkoa)
- Aralar Natural Park (Gipuzkoa)
- Armañón Natural Park (Bizkaia)
- Gorbeia Natural Park (Álava and Bizkaia)
- Izki Natural Park (Álava)
- Pagoeta Natural Park (Gipuzkoa)
- Urkiola Natural Park (Álava y Bizkaia)
- Valderejo Natural Park (Álava)
Aiako Harria Natural Park
A unique and beautiful park in the Pyrenean foothills. The park’s orography is very striking and consists of a landscape of spires and steep slopes, with three main peaks: Irumugarrieta, Txurrumurru and Erroilbide. Some of its unique features are: the Bay of Txingudi, the Aiztondo ravine (with a 100-metre waterfall) and the Arditurri mines, which can be accessed by foot.
Companies in the Ecotourism Club and committed to the conservation of this protected area:
- Guided activities:
More information: Parque Natural de Aiako Harria
Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park
A natural area renowned for its limestone mountain ranges and endless beech forests with the highest peak in the Basque Country: Aitxurri. Its most notable landmarks include: the Arrikrutz Cave, Iturrigorri beech forest, San Adrian tunnel, Sanctuary of Arantzazu and Aizkorriko Ataria interpretation centre.
Companies in the Ecotourism Club and committed to the conservation of this protected area:
- Accommodations:
- Guided activities:
More information: Parque Natural de Aizkorri-Aratz
Aralar Natural Park
One of the most important mountainous regions in the Basque Country due to its size, height, land use and natural features. It’s a major landmark thanks to the iconic Txindoki peak. It has a wide range of attractions such as megalithic monuments (dolmens, burial mounds, monoliths, archaeological sites and cromlechs), the Barandiaran Museum, the Ordizia market, D’elikatuz (Diet and Gastronomy Centre) and the Lizarrusti Information Centre.
Companies in the Ecotourism Club and committed to the conservation of this protected area:
- Guided activities:
More information: Parque Natural de Aralar
Armañón Natural Park
A mountainous massif within the region of Las Encartaciones, made up of a succession of rural, hilly landscapes including the notable peaks of the Armañón, Ranero, Subrias and Los Jorrios mountains. The most significant landmarks in this natural area are the more than 200 caves and chasms in the park’s subsoil, specifically the Pozalagua Cave, the Armañón Natural Park Interpretation Centre, the Dolomite Museum and the Karpin Fauna.
Companies in the Ecotourism Club and committed to the conservation of this protected area:
- Accommodation:
- Guided activities:
More information: Parque Natural de Armañón
Gorbeia Natural Park
A karstic landscape made up of steep rocky terrain, gentle pastures and beech and oak forests. Its summit marks the boundary between two territories – Biscay and Álava – and is the home of the famous Gorbeia Cross. Some of the most notable places are: the Itxina Protected Biotype, the Gujuli waterfall, the Parketxe Sarria and the Parketxe Areatza.
Companies in the Ecotourism Club and committed to the conservation of this protected area:
- Accommodation:
- Guided activities:
More information: Parque Natural de Gorbeia
Izki Natural Park
Vast forest area crossed by the river Izki and bordered by mountains, the tallest of which is Mount Kapildui. This area is home to Europe’s largest reserve of “Quercus pirenaica” trees and has a rural culture worth protecting. Some of the most famous places are the spectacular Izki river gorge, the Laño, Faido and Marquínez hermit caves, the gorges and crags of Arluzea and Peñacerrada and the Izki Natural Park Interpretation Centre.
Companies in the Ecotourism Club and committed to the conservation of this protected area:
- Accommodation:
- Guided activities:
More information: Parque Natural de Izki
Pagoeta Natural Park
The Pagoeta Natural Park is a particularly interesting recreational and educational place to visit. Some interesting attractions are the Agorregi forge, the underground cooler chambers, the Parketxe Iturraran visitors’ centre, the prehistoric ruins like the dolmens (Otagain, Olarteta, Zaingo) and cave sites (Erratia and Amalda in the Alzoralas valley).
Companies in the Ecotourism Club and committed to the conservation of this protected area:
- Accommodation:
- Guided activities:
More information: Parque Natural de Pagoeta
Urkiola Natural Park
Covers the highest part of the Sierra de Aramotz, including a series of mountain ranges and limestone crags, ravines and deep valleys. The natural park gets its name from the Urkiola Sanctuary, famous for the legend of its symbolic stone. The most popular places to visit are: the peak of Anboto, Mari cave and Toki Alai.
Companies in the Ecotourism Club and committed to the conservation of this protected area:
- Guided activites:
More information: Parque Natural de Urkiola
Valderejo Natural Park
A broad valley surrounded by steep, rock-topped hillsides with nine trails running through it, including the scenic route along the Purón river gorge. The most important features of this park are the biggest colony of Griffon vultures in the Basque Country, the Añana Salt Valley, the Visitor Centre, the Ethnographic Museum, the Roman road, the megalithic monuments (the San Lorenzo burial mound and Mount Lerón monolith) and its shrines.
Companies in the Ecotourism Club and committed to the conservation of this protected area:
- Guided activities:
More information: Parque Natural de Valderejo