Urkiola

Urkiola Nature Reserve

The Urkiola Nature Reserve is located between Álava and Bizkaia, and with the Amboto Crags as its logo, Urkiola combines forests of beech, oak and pine trees with cliffs and caverns that are home to places such as the "Cave of Mari, Lady of Amboto".

The habitat of peregrine falcons, common vultures and Egyptian vultures, the Park has easy access from the road of the Urkiola Pass (A-623) , which links Vitoria-Gasteiz with Durango. There are several agro-tourism accommodation establishments in the surrounding area.

Gorbeia

Gorbeia Nature Reserve

Straddling Bizkaia and Álava, the Gorbeia Nature Reserve is one of the most popular areas in the Basque Country. The Álava side has several points of access in the valleys of Zuia and Zigoitia, from Murua, Zárate and Sarría, where one of the Park entrances offers an Information Centre.

Its rich fauna includes deer, wild boars, badgers, martens, minks, wildcats, birds of prey, etc.

As for its landscapes, crystalline rivers and springs, snow drifts, abysses and caves, all make up a beautiful contrasting picture that alternates with forests of beech, oak, alder and other trees. Here the rivers Bayas and Zubialde are born.
The peak, at 1,482 m above sea level, is topped by a large cross. There are various agro-tourism accommodation establishments in the area.

Izki

Izki Nature Reserve

The Izki Nature Reserve is in the Montaña Alavesa, and is one of the most singular spots in the Basque Country.

With its rich flora and fauna, Izki is home to the largest European reserve of "Quercus pyrenaica" Pyrenean oaks and the greatest concentration of Álava birches, as well as other varieties of trees such as poplars, yews, holm oaks, beech trees and chestnut trees. Visitors to its streams can see otters and in its thick forests there are wild boar, minks, genets, wildcats, etc.

Izki is also a scenario for griffon vultures, falcons, golden eagles and short-toed eagles, sparrowhawks and European eagle owls.

A beautiful narrow mountain pass between Corres and Bujanda makes the landscape even more picturesque, and it has a large number of manmade caves dug into its rocks.

There are several agrotourism accommo-dation establishments in the vicinity. The Park can be accessed via the A-132 road from Maeztu.

Valderejo

Valderejo Nature Reserve

The Valderejo Nature Reserve allows the possibility of several itineraries, the most picturesque being that which runs along the Purón river, which crosses the Park with pools and waterfalls that enhance the walk.

Two abandoned villages and limestone cliffs also form part of the landscape, a shelter for the vultures, goshawks and Egyptian vultures that nest in the crags.

Beech, pine, oak and Holm oak forests abound, inhabited by wild boar, foxes, roe deer, badgers, woodpeckers, squirrels and wildcats.

In the surrounding area there are several agro-tourism establishments and there is a campsite in Angosto.

The best access is from the road that leads from Valdegovia to the province of Burgos (A-2622).