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Tologorri along the Black Path
Urduña - Orduña, Vizcaya - Bizkaia
(1)
Salvada Mountains a natural place of great beauty and spectacular mountains
Difficulty-Moderate
3:50 h.
10.8 km.
Urduña - Orduña, Vizcaya - Bizkaia (1)
Salvada Mountains a natural place of great beauty and spectacular mountains
Difficulty-Moderate
3:50 h.
10.8 km.
Not far from the Biscayan city of Orduña, at the foot of the dizzying Salvada Mountains, is Lendoño de Arriba, the starting point for the route that ascends to the Tologorri along the Black Path. This is one of the most visited hiking routes in this natural area, together with the famous Jump of the Nervion
The route, initially 7.8 km long, starts from the parking lot shortly before reaching Lendoño, and begins its ascent to the top of Iturrigorri by entering the leafy beech forest that populates the mountainside. The route gains height quickly, taking us past the well-known El Cojo stone, which has this name because it seems that a shepherd from this area used to rest on supported his lame leg on a ledge of the rock. The beech forest gives way to the most spectacular stretch of the entire route, the dizzying Black Path. A path, not suitable for people with vertigo, which cuts the almost vertical wall of the mountain allowing us to enjoy spectacular views of the Ayala Valley.
After passing the La Barrerilla wicket, we climb to the high plateau that will take us to the top of Iturrigorri, or Tologorri as it is popularly known. From there many people return by the same route, but you can also make a circular route of 10.8 km in total that will take us by the vertex of the cut that we have ascended in search of the wicket of Menerdiga, another of the passages that allows us to descend from Sierra Salvada. From there a long descent awaits us following a path that runs under the rocky outcrop, which we had previously travelled, to the very apex of the Tologorri. Once there, a path will take us to Lendoño and, following the road that leads to the village from Orduña, return to the parking lot from where we started our journey.
The local people tell us that on the days when the clouds get stuck in the jagged mountains of Salvada Mountains, you can hear, as you walk through the highlands, the lamentations of the people who on foggy days fell into the deep chasms that populate these mountains. These chasms are said to communicate with each other, creating a veritable labyrinth of caves stretching for miles under the feet of all those who travel these lands and crown their mountains.
To get to Lendoño de Arriba we have to go first to Orduña and from there take the road that leads to the Maroño reservoir. This same road also has access from the stretch of road that joins Amurrio and Arceniega. Once on the road we will find the detour that leads to the town of Lendoño de Arriba. Just before reaching it, on the left hand side, we will see the path that gives access to the parking lot from where the route starts and where we can park our vehicle.
Look at the picture of 360º
This is a physically and psychologically demanding route for dogs that do not handle heights well. Therefore it is not a bad idea to take him tied up for his safety.
There are several water points where you can drink without any problem, but as always it is not a bad idea to bring you some water and of course food so that you can recover the energies spent in the ascent.
This is a livestock area par excellence, which is why parasites, such as ticks, are very common. In addition we will pass zones quite covered by the grass. At the end of the route we will find farms and their corresponding guard dogs generally tied up although it is not convenient to trust them.
The parking lot (0h 00min) just before arriving to Lendoño is the starting point for this interesting trekking route in Salvada Mountains.
We follow the path, now dirt, by which we arrive at the parking lot with our vehicle. Almost at the moment we begin to gain height without leaving the main path that we are following.
Soon we will have to go through the first of the doors that we will find in the itinerary. We continue to climb, ignoring the many paths that come our way.
After a while, we found ourselves before a tempting shortcut that, if followed, would avoid us going around the curve that draws the road. This in exchange for facing the considerable unevenness that this path surpasses.
Our path also doesn't lag behind in terms of slope, leading us to meet those who ventured on the detour.
Already together we continue drawing the typical curves of the mountain roads, which help us to overcome the unevenness with a little more ease.
Not much later we will have to say goodbye to the path, to begin the steep path that will guide us from now on.
Now we must be attentive to the stone landmarks that will mark the course of the route. Soon we will find the well-known El Cojo stone, which we will leave behind.
All this stretch forces us to be careful not to lose the right path, of the many that we will find.
After a while the beech forest comes to an end, allowing us to intuit the spectacular landscape that awaits us.
Little by little the slope is decreasing, almost at the same time that the path is becoming more and more aerial. A new gate for the cattle marks the real beginning of the famous Black Path.
From now on, a somewhat exposed itinerary awaits us, providing a magnificent panorama. The path requires us to walk with all five senses focused on what we are doing.
After a while the path leads us to cross the usually dry riverbed of the stream that rushes down the slope. Here we begin to ascend in search of Portillo La Barrerilla, which we are about to reach.
This natural step marks the end of our journey along the Black Path, and the beginning of the final ascent to Iturrigorri.
As soon as we cross it, the fence that delimits it serves us as a reference to follow our route. Little by little we separate from the fence to go to the Iturrigorri fountain.
With our eyes set on the top of the mountain we are about to crown, we head towards it. This part of the route does not have such a clearly defined path, which is an added problem if the fog is the protagonist.
After a final ascent more demanding than it initially seemed, we are facing the pass that allows us to overcome the fence again, to culminate the ascent to the Tologorri (2h 00min).
After enjoying the summit of Iturrigorri, we return on our way to cross the wire fence that precedes the summit. Here, those who return along the same route will only have to follow in their footsteps.
In our case we decided to lengthen this beautiful route a little more, and taking as a reference the imposing cut that precipitates to our right, following its course, we continue the route maintaining a prudential distance with it.
We travel through this plateau in search of the gate through which we will begin to descend from Salvada Mountains.
After a while the cattle buildings of Menerdiga appear, reference that serves us to discover the gate that we are looking for.
Leaving the bordas, shepherds' huts, on our left, we gradually approach the cut on our right. If we follow the line that marks the fence that borders it, we will soon see a metal gate.
However, the step we are looking for is a little further ahead, marked by a milestone that can serve as a reference to find it.
The Portillo Menerdiga, allows us to say goodbye to this place through which we walk and begin the long descent that we have ahead.
A descent that begins by making us lose altitude quickly while we can see the path we will follow later.
The path zigzags down the steep slope of the mountain leaving us under the rocky outcrop we had previously walked. Almost without noticing it, we will find ourselves cutting the green slope of the mountain, while we descend already without so much unevenness.
This path that we are following struggles with the vegetation on the mountainside that almost hides its layout from us in some areas.
We will leave on our left a path that descends directly into the forest to follow the path that runs between the rocky outcrop and the edge of the forest.
This path could well be called the path of the mud, since even though many days have passed without rain, there are tremendously muddy areas that force us to seek the best way to overcome them.
A good while later, when we arrive at the foot of the imposing Tologorri, we will cross an emergence of water. As soon as we do so, we will begin the final stretch of the descent, more evident, following at first the course of the stream that has formed this water emergence.
Little by little the path gains width until it becomes a kind of cattle track along which we continue to descend.
Our road begins to draw the typical curves that mitigate in part the evident unevenness we are facing. In any case, we should not abandon this road, at least for now.
After a while descending we arrive at a crossroads where on our right we will have a metal door that we will have to go through.
Now we walk hand in hand with the GR 284 that will accompany us in this final part of the route. We continue to descend leaving behind the roads we encounter.
Shortly after passing through a new gate for the cattle we arrive at a lonely farm that marks the beginning of the asphalted section we will have to travel.
Lendoño appears before us making us cross it following the route of the road that goes to him.
A road that we have to follow until we reach the junction with the path that gives access to the parking (3h 50min) from which we started at the beginning of this beautiful hiking route.
Distance. 10.8KmReturning by the same route without doing the circular route will save us just over 2Km.
Time. 3:50hThere are many people who return by the same route they went up, in this case the time of the route decreases in part as they travel only 7,8 km total. The state of the terrain can also extend the time needed to make the route.
Time of yearIn bad weather, fog, rain, snow or ice it is not very advisable to do this route. The beech forest in autumn and spring is spectacular, providing added value to the one that already has this route. Obviously the clear days are the best ones when allowing us to enjoy the views that the route offers.
Required equipmentEven if we decide to return along the same route we went up, we may find the area of the trail very muddy, especially in the beech forest. This makes it advisable to wear hiking boots that give us some more protection and grip. The GPS with the track can not miss in case the fog makes presence on the plateau. Although there are fountains, the cattle is the owner and lord of the area and also of the fountains. Consult our list of material and equipment for hiking. Read more.
Difficulty. ModeratePhysical
We will have to overcome, besides the distance, sections with certain slope that force us to be in good physical shape. In addition, the most aerial areas of the route can be stressful and this increases the fatigue even if it does not seem so.
Severity of the environment
We are going to walk along quite exposed trails, which, although in good condition, that is, dry and without mud, ice or snow, are not very complicated, but they do force us to be very careful and not to get lost. People with vertigo can have a hard time and we must not forget the possible landslides to which we are exposed, since we are walking under a rocky outcrop. The mud that we can find in many areas of the route even if it hasn't rained the previous days can put us in complications. Be very careful with the chasms that are in the plateau, many of them are not seen even on clear days.
Orientation
The fog is the one that can cause more complications if it appears, especially in the highlands. The area of the path in the beech forest will also force us to be attentive since there will be many trails that will make us doubt or get us into more complications than necessary. There are no marks on the entire route except for a few stone landmarks. Finding the gates to go down can also be difficult if you don't follow a clear reference.
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| 1-Parking | 0:00h | 466m | 0Km | 30T 495418 4762175 |
| 2-Stone El Cojo | 0:55h | 780m | 1.7Km | 30T 494404 4761607 |
| 3-Gate La Barrerilla | 1:35h | 918m | 2.9Km | 30T 493428 4762102 |
| 4-Iturrigorri | 2:00h | 1073m | 3.9Km | 30T 494030 4762800 |
| 5-Gate Menerdiga | 2:30h | 1060m | 5.9Km | 30T 516943 4769594 |
| 6-Lendoño | 3:40h | 450m | 10.3Km | 30T 495415 4762334 |
| 7-Parking | 3:50h | 466m | 10.8Km | 30T 495418 4762175 |
Coordinates UTM Datum WGS84
Slope: 1372m
Slope +: 686m
Slope -: 686m
Maximum altitude: 1103m
Minimum altitude: 450m
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 086-3, 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.
Una ruta muy bonita, la Senda Negra impresiona pero se pasa bien. Las vistas desde el Tologorri son impresionantes.
¿Did you know that...
The Salvada Mountains, also known as Gorobel, extends approximately 20 km along Bizkaia, Araba and Burgos. A natural area of incalculable value that was, between the 16th and 18th centuries, one of the main commercial routes linking Castilla and the Cantábrico.
Don't miss out...
The monument of the Virgen de la Antigua, patron saint of Orduña, is located on the summit of Txarlazo. The set has a height of fifteen meters and it was erected in 1904, it represents the trunk of a mulberry tree on whose branches is the image of the Virgin.
From the commitment of SENDITUR with Nature and the respect to the balance of the environment, SENDITUR urges you to travel in a responsible way, with low environmental impact and respecting at all times the Natural, Cultural and Social environment wherever you go.
Besides sharing with all of us your experience on the route we would be grateful if you could write to us to inform us of any erroneous or outdated information you may have found, or simply to let us know what you think at Thank you.
This route has been carried out in the field by SENDITUR on 03-09-2020. The route may vary greatly depending on the time of year, weather conditions and terrain, as well as the actions of third parties and the evolution suffered in the natural environment where it is located. All opinions, advice and/or assessments made by SENDITUR in their descriptions are for guidance only and are subject to and/or refer to the specific conditions of the specific day of the route, referring to that specific day, taken from trained people, with the appropriate experience and with a high level of physical and technical preparation as a reference, as well as correctly equipped.
All the times are approximate and take an orientative character, the stops have not been taken into account, no matter how small they are. All the information related to the route, texts, images, videos, maps, diagrams, tracks, towns, and places of tourist interest are published as a guide, and may not coincide with the current state of each place. Before undertaking any activity, assess your technical knowledge, your physical condition, find out about the weather and the variations that the route may undergo, equip yourself correctly, be prudent and responsible at all times, and do not exceed your capabilities. SENDITUR is not responsible for any misuse or inappropriate use of the comprehensive guides of its routes and/or publications as well as its electronic guides, nor for any variations in their descriptions for the aforementioned reasons, and recommends that everyone be responsible and prudent in carrying out the activity. We also encourage you to read books and specialised guides to complement the information described above.
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