Zelaiaundi enchanted beech forest

This trail reveals the history and nature, shows interesting remnants of the charcoal-burners’ work in Morterutxo and offers a panoramic view at the highest point.

The route begins at the Urbasa-Andia natural park information centre, crosses several flat, open areas with beautiful beech, maple and hawthorn trees, passes an old sheep shed, the Gazbidea path (used to manufacture railway sleepers) and several charcoal-burning mounds.

It ascends through the Zuzorkil and Mandaberardia beech woods, reaching an altitude of 1,113 metres between Artzanbaratza and Balankaleku, a beech
wood with trees up to twenty metres tall. The contrasts between the beech trees and limestone rocks are striking, a landscape known as the “enchanted beech forest”. From the summit, the panoramic view of the Sakana and Aralar valleys is spectacular. From there, the route returns retracing the same path.