Route through Araba: Altzania mountain range. Albéniz (1,014m), Umandia (1,224m), Allaitztxiki (1,171m), Allaitz (1,245m), Imeleku (1,319m), Aratz (1,445m) and Argorri (1,311m) from Araia.
This week we propose a route through the Sierra de Altzania, in Álava, one of those routes that link peaks one after the other that drive collectors of summits and tachamontes crazy. In total we will climb seven peaks of a certain prominence: Albéniz, Umandia, Allaitztxiki, Allaitz, Imeleku, Aratz and Argorri, with the possibility of climbing some more.
The Altzania mountain range, part of the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, is the natural continuation of the Aizkorri mountain range. A limestone alignment of mountains that stretches between the provinces of Guipúzcoa, to the north, and Alava and Navarre, to the south, and whose highest peak is the Aratz (1,445m). It is very small in size. It includes the old communal mountain, the Altzania parzonería, which was used to settle disputes between the different villages between 1516 and 1897. It stretches from the natural tunnel of San Adrián to near Alsasua, although according to the source consulted, this would include the mountain range as far as the Lizarrusti pass.
Route summary
The route starts in Araia and heads along the slopes of the mountain range in search of the Urrapieta ravine, where it climbs up to the summit of Albéniz without any path. The route continues to a col to the north, where it joins the wide ridge that emerges from Umandia. Following the ridge along the high part, we will go up one after the other peaks of the day: Umandia, Allaitztxiki, Allaizt, Imeleku, Aratz and on the descent Argorri. The descent to Araia runs through beech forests, sharing the route in some sections with the GR120.
Map
Downloadable:
> Download Track
Technical specifications:
Distance: 14.1 kms.
Cumulative difference in altitude: +1.245m/-1.245m.
Timetable: about 6-7 hours. Walking time non-stop: 5 hours 55 minutes.
Water: The only fountain you pass by is almost at the end, the Iturriotz fountain.
Difficulty: The ascent through the Urrapieta ravine to Albéniz is done without a path. The difference in altitude of 1,245 metres is to be taken into account.
Recommended equipment: boots or slippers, two walking sticksthe GPS can be useful when climbing in the lower part of the mountain range, canteen.
How to get there:
See in Google Maps.
To get to Araia from Vitoria, follow the A-1 towards San Sebastian and take exit 385. In total, 35 kilometres from Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Itinerary
(0h00min; 0,0kms) Araia (630m). We start the hike almost at the end of the village, 50 metres before crossing the Zirauntza, on a slight bend in the road on the left hand side where there is some parking space. We start the walk following a concrete track to the right of the road, then dirt, which we follow for about a kilometre until we come across the GR25, at the height of a ruined house.
(0h10min; 0,8kms) GR25 (649m). Leave the track and take the GR25 on the right, which descends slightly downhill. After 100 metres, the path leaves the marked path and turns sharply to the left to enter a pine forest. Shortly afterwards we come across a wide path that we ignore and continue straight on, going downhill. The path leads to a track that we follow to the left, uphill, and which we soon leave.
(0h25min; 1,8kms) Leave the track / ravine of Urrapieta (658m). At the first bend to the left, barely 50 metres after starting the route along the track, we leave the comfort of walking along marked paths to enter the wilderness. Some uncomplicated bushes make it difficult to advance towards the Urrapieta ravine. We progress without a path, and although it is possible to ascend through the interior of the ravine, it gives the sensation of having some undergrowth. Here everyone can assess the situation and make their own ascent. We chose to ascend following a rocky strip cleared of vegetation that ascended to the left of the ravine (right bank) to later make a horizontal crossing and descend back to the ravine.
We come out past the narrowing onto a wide path that we follow briefly upwards until we reach a horseshoe bend on the left hand side. Here we leave it to continue straight ahead following the course of the river. When you reach an area where the stream runs through a rocky area, turn right and start to climb up the slope in search of the summit. If you wish, you can start to climb much earlier, as the ascent is off the path through a clean undergrowth of beech trees.
(1h30min; 3,3kms) Albeniz / Albeiz (1.014m). Its position overlooking the valley gives it privileged views of the Llanada Alavesa, the Altzania mountain range and the Entzia mountain range.
Descend to the north towards the cairns of Apotoa, where you can see some characteristic large blocks of dark stone. Right after that we take the path to the right at a crossroads and follow a path that crosses a first pass and a track to a second pass (1h45min) crossed by another track with a better surface. Look out for a path that ascends to the right, avoiding climbing straight ahead, and then turns left to continue along the highest part. The path is not very well marked, but in this clear terrain you do not need any more.
(2h25min; 5,5kms) Umandia (1.224m). Beautiful mountain that shows its most beautiful face to the south.
The path descends to a kind of pass where there is a 15 or 20 metre high dovecote. Watch out for the bend in the path to the left so as not to climb the next peak.
(2h45min; 6,1kms) Atabarrate pass / Atabarrateko Lepoa (1.103m). A short climb takes us in a few minutes to the...
(2h55min; 6,4kms) Allaitz Txiki (1.171m)
and later to the...
(3h05min; 6,8kms) Allaitz (1.245m).
The descent to the...
(3h20min; 7,3kms) pass of Allarte / Allarteko Lepoa (1.140m) is the last descent to take into consideration. Here begins the final climb that passes through the...
(3h45min; 8kms) Imeleku (1,319 m),
a small elevation with a letterbox, ends in the...
(4h10min; 8,7kms) Aratz (1.445m)The highest point of the Altzania mountain range. From here you can see, among others, the Aralar, San Donato, Urbasa and Entzia mountains, and especially the Aizkorri mountain range.
We start the descent passing 5 minutes later a signpost pointing to the peak of Elurzuloak (1,430m),
a small peak that we pass without stopping too much. We continue down to the first trees, up to a small height called...
(4h30min; 9,6kms) Argorri (1.311m) and that, of course, we add to our list of winners.
The purebred tachamontes can go to Maillukate for another one. From Argorri we start the descent along a marked path towards the southern slope. We pass the Azkasaroi field, where we join the red and white markings of the GR120 (Ignatian Way) that leave us on the path....
(5h10min; 11,3kms) Iturriotz fountain (1.058m). Just after this we leave the GR120 to continue descending along a path heading south. From here onwards there are several crossroads that, thanks to the signs, we can overcome without any problems to reach the starting point.
(5h55min; 14,1kms) Araia (630m).
