Cultural heritage
San Adrián tunnel
You can get to the tunnel by car and walk the last 20 minutes or take a 2 hours circular route by foot, which is very beautiful and well sign-posted. Zegama and Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park will be your North star. Just keep in mind these simple directions:
If you’re coming to Goierri through the port of Etzegarate, take the first turn on the road to get into Zegama, instead of getting in through the town centre.
The parking area in Aldaola has plenty of signs to explain the hiking trail. At the beginning, you will cross the small channel of water and keep going up the mountain towards Casa de los Mikeletes -an old construction for taxes collection and goods control-. When you get there you will start to see the tunnel and the mountains. Go through the tunnel! Inside there’s an old hermitage and the remains of other old constructions.
The route continues following the green and white marks. Stay on that path and to get to San Adrián’s balcony… amazing views are waiting for you! This is one of the best viewpoints in Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park. You will see the tunnel from the opposite side and Guipúzcoa and Navarre’s orography.
Connecting Europe to the Cantabrian Sea
You are in a magic place known by the ancients as the hole to hell, where significant evidence of prehistoric settlements was found, and not just burial sites. From the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages, San Adrián was one of the entrances to the mountain chain. When Guipúzcoa and Álava became part of the Crown of Castile, San Adrián was the mandatory route connecting Europe and the Cantabrian Sea. There was even a castle that guarded the border to Navarra. San Adrián was the scene of many clashes and an area frequented by bandits. The citadel was abandoned when Castilla was annexed to Navarra in 1512. The stone path you will see looks Roman, and it’s popularly known as Calzada Romana (Roman Road), but it’s actually from the Middle Ages and it was the “Royal Path of Relay”.
[…] We crossed the Pyrenees through San Adrián’s port, and both the ascent and the descent were rough, full of stones and mud…
– Andrea Navagiero, Ambassador of Venice in the Court of Madrid, 16th century.
San Adrián became a famous legend, feared in the whole world. Travelers would describe it as a daunting place: cliffs edges, trees beaten by the wind, caves that were the shelter of muggers, isolated spots.
how to get there
Explore other plans
in Goierri
Culture
A FULL VALLEY OF Culture Pre-history men, mythological beings, kings and princes, malefactors and traders, travelers and pilgrims have crossed Goierri through History. Its strategic location connecting Europe to Castile make Goierri …
Gastronomy
NATURAL AND REMARKABLE LIKE ITS gastronomy We’re certain you will only taste the highest quality in our products… but we'll let you see for yourself: Idiazabal cheese, local cider, Beasain’s sausage, Zaldibia’s …
Nature
TAKE A BREATH OF Nature Basque history and culture have always been surrounded by nature. A perfect match for those who love natural environments and mountain tourism. Goierri is the only region …
Sports
IN ITS PURE STATE Sports Goierri is all about competition and challenge. You will get to see locations that are the real settings of some of the most popular mountain races in …
Plan your trip
PLAN YOUR trip Either coming by yourself, with your partner, family or friends, in Goierri there is a plan for you. We help you organise your trip through suggested routes, historical and mythological …
Horse riding
KNOW OUR Horse riding Our wide territory allows us the possibility of carrying out innumerable activities and among them, the horse riding. Either in a closed place or doing routes and excursions, …
WE'LL HELP YOU PLAN
your trip
Get to know Euskadi’s highlands
Basque Highlands
Goierri’s symbol: Latxa sheep
Latxa sheep are native to Euskal Herria -Navarra and the Basque Country-. There are two varieties: dark-faced and blonde, and they are small to medium sized, as well as thin …
Natural Parks: Aizkorri-Aratz & Aralar
Archaeological heritage, landscapes and a paradise for trekking meet in these two natural sierras: Aizkorri-Aratz and Aralar
Aizkorri: the highest peak in Euskadi
Do you dare climb the mountain where Edurne Pasaban started practicing? The first woman to complete the ascent of the 14 eight-thousanders on Earth developed her hobby here, in the …
Cultural heritage: San Adrián tunnel
You can get to the tunnel by car and walk the last 20 minutes or take a 2 hours circular route by foot, which is very beautiful and well sign-posted.
Route by car or motorcycle across Goierri’s viewpoints
We suggest you know the Goierri by car or motorcycle. Visit the highest places and enjoy privileged views.
Outdoors: family adventures
If you want to practice orienteering as a game and a sport, come to Zegama. There are three circuits with several levels of difficulty for everyone to enjoy. The starting …