Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park

Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park is a protected landscape area spread across two provinces of the Basque Country – Álava and Gipuzkoa – within the autonomous community of the Basque Country in northern Spain. By surface area, it ranks as the second-largest natural park in the entire Basque Country, making it one of the region's most significant protected areas.

Where does the park's name come from?

The park's name is no coincidence – it comes from the two most recognizable and distinctive mountain peaks found within its boundaries: Aizkorri and Aratz. These two summits give the whole area its identity and serve as natural landmarks for visitors exploring the park. Combining both names into one – Aizkorri-Aratz – reflects the fact that the park's territory takes in both mountain massifs, forming a single, coherent, if extensive, mountain complex.

Where exactly is the park located?

Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park lies within the autonomous community of the Basque Country, with its administrative boundaries running through two provinces: Álava and Gipuzkoa. This territorial division means the protected landscape area brings together land belonging to different administrative units of the region, a pattern typical of many larger natural parks in Spain that cover mountain ranges extending beyond provincial borders. The park's approximate geographic coordinates are 42.98°N, -2.55°W, placing it in the mountainous, inland part of the Basque Country.

How large is the park compared to the rest of the region?

The fact that Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park is the second-largest landscape park in the Basque Country underlines its importance among the region's protected areas. Basque natural parks typically encompass mountainous terrain, valleys, and areas of significant natural and scenic value, and holding such a high rank in terms of size indicates that Aizkorri-Aratz is one of the most extensive and, at the same time, one of the most important fragments of protected Basque nature.

Why is this park worth knowing about?

The park holds the status of a protected landscape area, meaning its value stems primarily from the shape of the terrain and the character of its mountain scenery, including the presence of the Aizkorri and Aratz peaks mentioned above. This protective status aims to preserve the unique character of this mountainous region of the Basque Country for future generations and to give visitors the chance to experience the extensive, natural landscapes of this part of Spain.

Frequently asked questions

In which provinces is Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park located? The park extends across two provinces of the Basque Country – Álava and Gipuzkoa.

Where does the park's name come from? The name comes from the two most recognizable peaks within its territory – Aizkorri and Aratz.

How does the park rank among other protected areas in the region? It is the second-largest landscape park in the entire Basque Country.

In which country and autonomous community is the park situated? The park is located in Spain, within the autonomous community of the Basque Country.