Circular Route through the Itxina Massif

Description of the circular route through the Massif of Itxina

From Pagomakurre to the detour to Supelegor 2 Km

The parking of Pagomakurre (0h 00min) is the departure point for a good number of the routes that cross the Natural Park of the Gorbeia and also it is it for ours.

At the beginning of the parking area, next to the information sign of the park, we will find the passage that will allow us to save the fence that delimits this recreation area.

We then began to gain altitude gently, walking the picnic area. Soon the thick grove allows us to contemplate, even for an instant, the abrupt silhouette of Itxina.

This part of the tour with hardly any inclination takes us through the forest by making us cross several bridges over the streams that descend from the mountain. Depending on the time of year, these streams may be completely dry.

Little by little, the unevenness begins to become much more evident as we approach the limits of the forest we are crossing.

The ground we are walking on is beginning to give us the first signs of what lies ahead. After a good while gaining height, the trees begin to give way.

Our marked trail practically disappears when it comes across a fence, at which point the route turns radically to our left to face the hard final climb of this section.

The Eye of Atxular is shown before our eyes, signposted by the corridor without vegetation that ascends to it.

The trail has completely disappeared under the green meadows we are walking through, which forces us to be vigilant in order to locate the entrance to the final stretch of the ascent.

After turning off for a few metres to our left, and when we reach the edge of the trees in front of us, the route changes direction again abruptly to lead us definitively to the Eye of Atxular.

Once again, a decomposed trail leads us surrounded by vegetation, making us gain height with effort.

Little by little the vegetation gives way again leaving us at the foot of the magnificent Eye of Atxular (1h 00min), gateway to the mysterious Itxina.

We cross the eye and after taking a well deserved break enjoying this colossal place we start the itinerary through Itxina bordering the first of the many dolines that we will find.

On the other side, we will find the detour to the Supelegor cave (1h 05min).​

From the detour to the Supelegor cave 0.7 Km

Here we have the highly recommended option of approaching this mystical place, one of the best known of the Itxina Massif.

To do this we will leave the path to which we will then return to begin our descent back into the forest.

From now on we will have to be very attentive as it is quite easy to get off the right track.

The absence of marks leaves us at the mercy of the different stone landmarks that serve as a guide.

The path has slowly separated us from the rocky wall where the Eye of Atxular sits, and shortly after leaving the forest it changes course again.

We continued descending with our eyes fixed on the rocky outcrop we had crossed before, but before approaching it, we were surprised by the Itxulegor cave.

We leave Itxulegor behind us, to continue approaching the increasingly visible cave of Supelegor (1h 15min).​

Once there, we will take the opportunity to go deep into its depths in the hope of finding some water in the lake that awaits us inside.

From Supelegor to Hut of Lexardi 1.8 km

Once we have enjoyed this mysterious place full of legends we will retrace our steps to the crossroads that brought us here, not before being tempted to approach the Great Rift, something reserved for people who know the place well since there is no clear path and it is very easy to get into unnecessary trouble.

Once at the crossroads, we take the trodden path that will lead us to the hut of Lexardi. A trail that, although it can be followed without major complications, does force us to be attentive.

The fact is that the terrain we are travelling through is plagued by deep chasms and wide dolines so it is not advisable to leave the path we are following.

This part of the route is a continuous up and down, but without the hard ramps we have left behind. We alternate the wooded areas with other clearer ones that allow us to contemplate the spectacular landscape that surrounds us.

From time to time we have to come across some red markers that formerly marked the route and that together with the milestones serve as a reference to follow.

Shortly before reaching our next goal, we will have to face a new ascent that will take us away from the limits of the forest we were going through.

After that, the Lexardi hut (2h 00min) awaits us, a perfect place to take a well-deserved rest.

From the Hut of Lexardi to Kargaleku 1.2 km

After the rest, we continue our journey, leaving a nearby fountain on our right, which is located in this spot.

Once again we see ourselves gaining height, not without effort, surrounded by the calcareous rocks that characterize the Itxina Massif.

An ascent that with each step we take lets us intuit the figure of the lord of these lands, the Gorbeia.

Once again we will see ourselves riding a kind of roller coaster that makes us go up and down, forcing us to face the occasional hard slope.

The Gorbeia is becoming more and more the protagonist of the landscape we are contemplating. As long as, of course, the vegetation does not come between it and us.

The trail does not give us a second of respite, forcing us to overcome harsh areas where we must pay attention to avoid problems, especially if they are wet, sections that continue to surround us with their particular beauty and are part of the uniqueness of the Itxina Massif.

Shortly before we reach the next halfway point on the route we will have to face a tough climb back up. Once again, the forest surrounds us, giving us the opportunity to say goodbye to it.

A little further on, where this stretch of ascent ends, the Kargaleku pass (2h 30min) awaits us, where we will leave Itxina.

From Kargaleku to the Campas of Arraba 0.5 km

Here, as it happened to us in Supelegor, those who know the area and still have some energy left can approach some old neveras, of singular size, which were in use until relatively few years ago.

The rest of us start the descent through the Kargaleku pass, in search of the green Campas of Arraba.

The trail quickly leaves us at the gates of this wide high plateau, but we still have a small distance to go before we can definitely reach this peaceful place.

As in the whole tour, it is important to be attentive so as not to take the wrong path that takes us away from the right course.

Following almost in parallel the limits of the mountains that conform the Massif of Itxina we will arrive at the refuge, one of the two existing ones, that waits for us in the Campas of Arraba (2h 40min).​

From Campas of Arraba to Pagomakurre 3.2 Km

From practically the same door of the refuge begins the path that will take us back to the starting point of this beautiful circular route.

On our right we are joined by another path that leads here from the second refuge of the Campas of Arraba.

A long journey awaits us, following at all times the conditioned track that ascends from Pagomakurre.

A section of the route that, after having covered such remarkable landscapes, becomes somewhat heavier than it really is.

After a while the parking of Pagomakurre (3h 25min) is presented to us, parking that we will cross of side to side to give by finalized this interesting route by the Massif of Itxina, in the Natural Park of the Gorbeia.

Technical data sheet of the route

Distance. 9.4Km

The labyrinthine nature of some sections of the route may cause us to cover more distance than expected.

Time. 3:25h

Without a doubt this figure can vary a lot, not only because of the detours we can take, but also because of the state of the land where the route runs.

Time of year

The autumn can be for his special colorful a great period to visit Itxina, but if we want to see for example with water the lake of Supelegor the beginning of the spring is in the habit of being the best period since the accesses will be more passable that in the winter. The fog or the bad weather are not good companions of route in Itxina.

Required equipment

Although as a general rule the headlamp, with its corresponding charged batteries, and the GPS with the track of the route, should always accompany us in our backpack, here they are more necessary than ever since the first one will allow us to go into Supelegor and the second one will serve as support in case of need. The irregular and slippery terrain makes it very advisable to wear a boot with a good sole that will undoubtedly give us more security and protection. It is also important to wear some warm clothes, even in summer. Consult our list of material and equipment for hiking. Read more.

Difficulty. Moderated

Physical

The distance added to the inclination of some parts of the route force us to be in good physical shape to avoid suffering more than necessary. Even so, on the most demanding ramps it is advisable to take it easy. We must also take into account the tiredness that can create stress that causes us to cross some area, especially if it is slippery.

Severity of the environment

It is very important not to leave the trails due to the large number of chasms and dolines in the area, which in many cases are practically covered by the vegetation of the place. The stones can be very slippery so you have to pay attention as you go. Apart from this, and except for some areas more exposed to landslides, we should not have any more complications.

Orientation

Without marks to guide us and with areas where the path practically disappears or there are several trails, in most cases only the typical stone landmarks will serve as a reference. The problem is in differentiating which is the correct landmark from those we will find in some points. So it is very important not only to prepare the route in advance, but also to take with us the necessary equipment to guide us in case of doubt or need, obviously knowing how to use it.

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 087-1 y 087-3, 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.