Aizkorri from the Arantzazu Sanctuary

Description of the ascent to Aizkorri from the Sanctuary of Arantzazu

From the parking lot to the Aizkorri 8,5 Km

Our starting point is the first parking lot (0h 00min) that we will find at the end of the road that runs through the sanctuary.

This path that we now have to walk leads to the next parking lot from where, if we are lucky enough to be able to park there, we can also start this beautiful route.

It is from here that the notable slope begins that we will have to overcome, as long as our starting point would not have been the ample parking of the sanctuary.

The marks of the GR 282 or Path of Grazing, the GR 283 or Route of Idiazabal Cheese, the GR 121 or Tour of Guipúzcoa and the PR GI 3006 will accompany us in a good part of the itinerary.

The slope is quite evident and hardly gives us a moment's respite to catch our breath. After a while the path we were following turns into a wide path that will accompany us to the Campas of Urbia.

A path that maintains the upward profile that had been accompanying us. The slope becomes more noticeable as our path begins to draw some curves to save it.

After a while the slope becomes softer, as if it wanted to warn us of our next arrival at the hill before the campas of Urbia. Although we still have a steep slope to enjoy this magnificent natural place.

Once this first ascent of our route is over, we get ready to enjoy the beautiful walk that takes us past the Urbina hermitage (1h 10min).​

From there the path descends in search of the refuge a little further on, which we will border on any of its sides.

Once again, a perfect path will be in charge of guiding us in this part of the itinerary. A path that we follow until we meet another that emerges on our left, which we will follow.

This road, which we are walking now, already showed its important slope in front of us, since we crossed the shelter of Urbia.

Without leaving the path at any moment we arrive at some huts that mark the beginning of the path of ascent to the Aizkorri and the Aitxuri among others.

Our route goes through the huts in search of the beginning of this path. A path whose slope makes us strive to gain height with every step.

Soon, when we reach the limit of the grove in front of us, our path enters a karst area where it zigzags following the yellow marks that indicate the route.

After this chaotic stretch we recover the marked path, without losing any of its inclination. In front of us we see a weather vane that makes us think that we are close to the top, nothing is further from reality.

From the weather vane, the slope does seem to lose some of its inclination, but we still have a good stretch to reach the summit of Aizkorri. After a while we arrive at a milestone, just where our path divides into two, which come together again later.

This kneeling stone marks the path that on our left ascends directly to the nearby peaks of Aketegi and Aitxuri, the roof of Gipuzkoa. In our case we cannot resist the temptation to crown these Basque mountains and leave the path that leads to the next collado that separates them from the Aizkorri, to begin the ascent to them.

An ascent that leads us to meet the path that we will use to reach the hill without going back down to the detour. Already on the steep crest of the mountain we crown the Aketegi first.

From there, and with the caution required by this type of terrain, we follow the yellow marks that lead us up to the Aitxuri.

Once we have enjoyed these peaks, we return following our steps until we find the path we have to follow.

Without losing much height, the path we are looking for appears little by little before us, leading us to the collado that awaits us further on. The hill where we will take the official route of ascent to the Aizkorri.

Ahead of us we have a rather steep stretch, where the highly polished stones of the path that we walk indicate how crowded this mountain usually is.

Once again we see ourselves zigzagging its hillside, following the yellow marks with our eyes set on the cross that crowns it.

The path is divided into two, one leads directly to the hermitage of the Santo Cristo. And another one, the one we follow, takes us straight to the summit of the Aizkorri (3h 20min), to then descend to the other one that brings us closer to the hermitage.

From the Aizkorri to the parking lot 9 Km

The great majority of people who climb the Aizkorri from the Sanctuary of Arantzazu, besides not crowning the Aitxuri, descend following the same route by which they ascended, thus making a route of 16 km in total.

We are going to lengthen the route a little more by going down the route that comes from the San Adrián Tunnel.

Although we quickly say goodbye to the first of the paths that ascend from San Adrián, leaving it to our left to continue descending.

Almost immediately we leave behind another path, which this time brings us closer to the nearby Tontorraun, and where you can also reach the San Adrian Tunnel.

We continue to lose height rapidly under the watchful eye of the mountain we have just climbed.

After a while, the forest makes an appearance, and we say goodbye to the access roads to the San Adrián tunnel, to continue with our route.

This stretch through the forest will force us to be careful not to lose the path we must follow. We'll find some stone landmarks that can help us.

Although almost at all times it takes us along the hillside of the mountain we have just climbed. After a while the forest leaves us at the beginning of the last stretch of descent that we will have to face in this part of the route.

Here we radically change our orientation in search of the campa we see at our feet. Once there, we follow the row of stones that mark the path that passes through here.

Soon we reach a path that we must follow for a few meters. Soon we say goodbye to the path to join the route of the GR 121.

Once again, we must pay attention to the marks that indicate the route so as not to walk more than we should. The path takes us back to the interior of a leafy forest. Once inside the forest, the GR 121 leads us through it in a continuous up and down movement.

At this point in the route this uneven stretch becomes a little more demanding than it really is. But the landscape around us more than compensates for the extra effort this variant entails.

The end of the forest warns us of the proximity of the Urbia campas, although we still have another hill to climb.

Shortly before the end of the ascent, we left the path to shorten the route a little. This small shortcut that makes the GR 121 avoids us go through the curve that draws the path.

A path that descends quickly leading us directly to the campas of Urbia.

Once in them we will find the path by which we ascended the Aizkorri, thus closing the circular route that we have made.

The only thing left to do is to return to the parking lot (5h 50min) from where we left following the route we took to Urbia.

Technical data sheet of the route

Distance. 17.5Km

This figure varies depending on where we park our vehicle. Not making the extension to the summits of the Aketegi and Aitxuri is approximately 500 m less.

Time. 5:50h

As with the distance figure, parking in one or another parking lot influences the time we will need, as the sanctuary parking lot is about 700 m away from the final parking lot. Even more difference we will have of not facing the ascent to the other two peaks, in this case we will save from 30 to 45 minutes.

Time of year

The landscape and natural environment surrounding this route is a spectacle all year round. The fogs considerably distort the route, while the autumn and spring with their colors give an added value to the route. The hot days can put us in trouble in the final stretch of the ascent, since there is not even an area of shade.

Required equipment

This is a fairly touristy mountain route, but it should not be underestimated. Carrying enough water, warm clothes and windbreaks even in summer, some hiking poles and footwear suitable for this type of terrain is something that not many people carry in the Aizkorri and we do not say carrying a backpack with the minimum for any route. We always have to carry the necessary material that allows us to follow the correct route in case of doubt, but if our idea is to lengthen the route, as we explain here, the GPS with the track. Consult our list of material and equipment for hiking. Read more.

Difficulty. Remarkable

Physical

Both the difference in level and the mileage to be achieved require that we be in good physical condition, even if we only follow the usual route of ascent and descent of the Aizkorri. Another good idea is to face the ascent with calm from the first moment of the route. In this type of routes it is not a good idea to spend all our energy in going fast at the beginning of the route.

Severity of the environment

The polish on many of the stones on the trail makes them very slippery even when dry. We should not venture into the ridge section between the Aketegi and the Aitxuri without having the necessary experience for this type of terrain. It is a fairly aerial area that has good grips but does not allow for mistakes. As for the rest, and always taking into account the possible rock falls that can occur in this type of terrain, the traditional route of ascent to the Aizkorri does not involve any major complications, always in good weather conditions and good condition of the terrain. Watch out on the descent, slips are quite common.

Orientation

Well marked and clearly defined the path to follow, we should not have complications in this section, always in good general conditions. If we venture into the different variants that we develop here is where we can have problems in this section because they are not as busy or as well marked as the traditional route.

Coordinates UTM Datum WGS84

Profile of the route

Cartography, maps and tracks

This sketch of the route is not made to scale nor does it contain all the information relating to the area, it is merely indicative

This schematic with the path is approximate and has been created from the derived cartographic base © Instituto Geográfico Nacional "Cuadrante 113-1 y 113-2, 25.000"

Senditur has manipulated the tracks to correct the aberrant points that may exist, caused by problems with the reception of the GPS signal. In any case the tracks are always approximate. SENDITUR encourages you to use the new technologies within your reach, using them as support and consultation in your activity, not basing the realization and orientation of the same only and exclusively on them, since they may see their functioning altered by very diverse causes, not functioning correctly and their indications may not be precise.