2009-02-13 14:42:35
Tourist attractions
NATURE
Aiako Harria Natural Park
GIPUZKOA
The impressive massif of Peñas de Aia (Aiako Harria) stands out between Urumea and Bidasoa Rivers. Declared a Natural Park in 1995, this exceptional setting of 6,913 ha is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees in far eastern Gipuzkoa. Its unmistakable outline is also remarkable because of its height that, although moderate in absolute terms (833 m), is considerable if we take account of the fact that it is so near the coast (less than 10 km away as the crow flies).
Apart from its extraordinary beauty, the massif stirs up great geological interest, since it is the only granite massif in the Basque Country. It is also the oldest land in the country, dating form the Primary of Paleozonic Era.
The massif boasts three main summits: Irumugarrieta (806 m), Txurrumurru (821 m) and Erroilbide (837 m), which are also known as Tres Coronas (Three Crowns), Las Batallas (The Battles) or Cara de Napoleón (Face of Napoleon). Varied signposted routes will lead us to those peaks. The most widely used route is over the Aritxulegi Saddle.
Peñas de Aia offers spectacular scenery: the coast with the Txingudi Bay in the foreground, which is a significant place in the migration paths of aquatic birds; the towns of Hondarribia (and its Old Town), Irún and Hendaye; Mount
Jaizkibel (and the sanctuary of Guadalupe); the Oiartzun Valley.The natural park also extends southwards, through a landscape of summits and passes (Aritxulegi, Bianditz, Aldura, Urdaburu) along the boundary with Navarre.
BEACHES
The 252 Km long Basque seaside is one of the most popular tourist spots because of its awesome landscape, where it is a pleasure to have a walk through their beautiful beaches. Moreover, Basque seaside stands out because of its uneven relief, where beaches of fine sand contrast with steep cliffs, rivers estuaries and marshes of ecological relevance. In the interior zones, we will find many recreations areas around rivers and reservoirs, some of which constitute authentic inner seas that will astonish the visitor.
Laga Beach
IBARRANGELU -BIZKAIA
Beautiful Laga Beach is located in the area around the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and next to Cape Ogoño (279m), and belongs to the town of Ibarrangelu.
The 574 metre-long beach of fine golden sand offers the opportunity to practice many sports such as surfing, canoeing or sailing. Its waves attract many surfers. Besides, the most intrepid ones dare practice paragliding from the Ogoño rock.
Aiako Harria Natural Park
GIPUZKOA
The impressive massif of Peñas de Aia (Aiako Harria) stands out between Urumea and Bidasoa Rivers. Declared a Natural Park in 1995, this exceptional setting of 6,913 ha is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees in far eastern Gipuzkoa. Its unmistakable outline is also remarkable because of its height that, although moderate in absolute terms (833 m), is considerable if we take account of the fact that it is so near the coast (less than 10 km away as the crow flies).
Apart from its extraordinary beauty, the massif stirs up great geological interest, since it is the only granite massif in the Basque Country. It is also the oldest land in the country, dating form the Primary of Paleozonic Era.
The massif boasts three main summits: Irumugarrieta (806 m), Txurrumurru (821 m) and Erroilbide (837 m), which are also known as Tres Coronas (Three Crowns), Las Batallas (The Battles) or Cara de Napoleón (Face of Napoleon). Varied signposted routes will lead us to those peaks. The most widely used route is over the Aritxulegi Saddle.
Peñas de Aia offers spectacular scenery: the coast with the Txingudi Bay in the foreground, which is a significant place in the migration paths of aquatic birds; the towns of Hondarribia (and its Old Town), Irún and Hendaye; Mount
Jaizkibel (and the sanctuary of Guadalupe); the Oiartzun Valley.The natural park also extends southwards, through a landscape of summits and passes (Aritxulegi, Bianditz, Aldura, Urdaburu) along the boundary with Navarre.
BEACHES
The 252 Km long Basque seaside is one of the most popular tourist spots because of its awesome landscape, where it is a pleasure to have a walk through their beautiful beaches. Moreover, Basque seaside stands out because of its uneven relief, where beaches of fine sand contrast with steep cliffs, rivers estuaries and marshes of ecological relevance. In the interior zones, we will find many recreations areas around rivers and reservoirs, some of which constitute authentic inner seas that will astonish the visitor.
Laga Beach
IBARRANGELU -BIZKAIA
Beautiful Laga Beach is located in the area around the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and next to Cape Ogoño (279m), and belongs to the town of Ibarrangelu.
The 574 metre-long beach of fine golden sand offers the opportunity to practice many sports such as surfing, canoeing or sailing. Its waves attract many surfers. Besides, the most intrepid ones dare practice paragliding from the Ogoño rock.
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