Gorbea Natural Park

Historia

Gorbea Natural Park is a protected area that is located between the provinces of Alava and Vizcaya in the Basque Country (Spain), the largest Basque natural park with an area of. It covers Villaro municipalities, Castillo and Elejabeitia, Orozco, and Ceberio Ceánuri in Vizcaya and Cigoitia, Zuya and Urcabustaiz in Álava. Gorbea Natural Park, along with the nearby natural park of Urkiola, form an important environmental unit. Natural Park was declared by the Basque Government Decree on 21 June 1994 with the purpose of protecting their natural heritage while promoting rural development, understanding and enjoyment. It takes its name from its highest peak, the Gorbea (Gorbeia or Gorbeiagane in Euskera) of. Other peaks of interest are Aldamin Peña of and the Peñas de Itxina.Communications and access to the parkAccess to Gorbea Park is based on the national highway N-240 linking Bilbao to Vitoria, which surrounds the park to the east. To the west it is surrounded by the AP-68, which also links Bilbao and Vitoria and local roads, such as BI-2522 and A-624. The BI-3513 county of Orozco ArteaVitoria] allows access to the north and the N -622 in the south. The bus service linking Bilbao and Vitoria, or Barazar Altube, is another means of access to the park.Interpretive centersThere are two interpretive centers: one in the Alava, near the town of Sarria and another in the town of Villaro or Areatza in Vizcaya. There information can be found about the Natural Park as well as an exhibition that describes the characteristics of the park.Mount Gorbea, the heart of the parkGorbea Natural Park is formed around Mount Gorbea, and the peaks surrounding it. The summit of 1482m above sea level is a fundamental reference of the inhabitants of Alava and Vizcaya. For the Basques the Gorbea has been one of the mountains bocineros of which are calling for General Meetings. The summit of the mountain is surmounted by a cross of 18m in height (the first that was installed was 33.33m and the second 22m) installed in the early twentieth century and has become a symbol for all Basques coming to form part of popular culture.