Travel Guide of Peñas de Aya in Spain by Influencers and Travelers
Aiako Harria in Basque or Peñas de Aya in Spanish, is a massif east of the town of Oiartzun in the Basque Country. The river Oiartzun rises on its north-western face. The range is very popular with the inhabitants of the area. Other neighbouring towns are Irun on the north and Lesaka on the east.
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How to visit Peñas de Aya ?
To get to Peñas de Aya, the nearest city is San Sebastián, which is well-connected by train, bus, and plane. From San Sebastián, you can take a bus (E09 line) to the town of Oiartzun, which is the starting point for the hike to the natural park. The bus ride takes approximately 30 minutes, and the frequency is every hour.
It is not necessary to book anything in advance for this destination, as the park is free to enter and does not require any permits or reservations. However, if you plan to stay overnight in the area, booking accommodation in advance is recommended, especially during the summer months.
The costs associated with visiting Peñas de Aya are relatively low. The bus fare from San Sebastián to Oiartzun is around 2€ one way, and you'll need some money for food and accommodation. Other than that, you can enjoy the park and its hiking trails for free.
Some of the best things to do in Peñas de Aya include hiking the various trails that range from easy to challenging, exploring the ancient mines of Arditurri, and visiting the archaeological sites found within the park. Additionally, the park is an excellent spot for birdwatching and photography.
For dining, consider stopping by the following restaurants in Oiartzun:
1. Malkorra Jatetxea offers delicious Basque cuisine in a rustic setting.
2. Restaurante-Txoko Untzaga serves traditional Spanish dishes and pintxos (small snacks).
3. Xera Taberna is a cozy tavern with a wide range of tapas and local wines.
If you're looking for a place to stay, these are some recommendations in Oiartzun:
1. Hotel Elizalde is a comfortable and budget-friendly option with clean rooms and a friendly staff.
2. Casa Rural Olazi is a charming rural guesthouse, perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature.
3. Hotel Restaurante Soraluze offers a combination of good food and comfortable accommodation with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Off the beaten path:
For a unique travel experience, venture deeper into the Aiako Harria Natural Park to discover the lesser-known trails and hidden gems. One such trail leads to the mysterious dolmen of Aizkomendi, an ancient megalithic burial site believed to date back to the 3rd millennium BC. The hike to Aizkomendi is challenging but rewarding, offering spectacular views of the Peñas de Aya and the surrounding valleys.
The Best Things to Do and Visit around Peñas de Aya
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1 - Aiako Harria Parke Naturala
6 km away
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2 - Bidasoa
10 km away
The Bidasoa is a river in the Basque Country of northern Spain and southern France that runs largely south to north. Named as such downstream of the small town of Oronoz-Mugairi in the province of Navarra, the river actually results from the merger of several streams near the village Erratzu, with the stream Baztan that rises at the north-eastern side of the mount Autza being considered the source of the Bidasoa.
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3 - Scooter in Hendaye
7 km away
Explore the Basque Country through an electric scooter ride, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountains. Embark on an adventure from Urrugne and let yourself be captivated by places steeped in history, while enjoying exceptional panoramic ...
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4 - Château d'Abbadie
11 km away
The Château d'Abbadia, also Château d'Abbadie, is a château in Hendaye, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. Built between 1864 and 1879, it was designed in the neo-Gothic style by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and incorporated many enigmatic features characteristic of its owner, the explorer Antoine Thomson d'Abbadie, after whom it is named.
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5 - LaRhune
12 km away
Larrun is a mountain at the western end of the Pyrenees. It is located on the border of France and Spain, where the traditional Basque provinces of Labourd and Navarra meet. Its prominence is 670 m.
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6 - Sailing in Hendaye
9 km away
Sailing is a sport that intrigues you? Then join Spi en Tête in Hendaye for a 2 days sailing discovery course in the Basque Country! Whether you have already been at the helm of a sailboat or you have never set foot aboard this type of boat, th...
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7 - Anoeta Stadium
15 km away
Anoeta Stadium, currently known as the Reale Arena for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain that was inaugurated in 1993.
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8 - La Concha Beach
17 km away
The Beach of La Concha is a crescent shaped urban seaboard of the city of San Sebastián located at the Bay of La Concha in the Basque Country, in northern Spain. Its name “Concha” is given upon its remarkably regular shape.
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9 - Jet Skiing in Hendaye
10 km away
With or without a permit, come and discover the Basque Coast by jet ski from Hendaye. With family or friends, discover the impressive cliffs of the Basque Coast (French or Spanish) with Memphis Jet. Alone or in pairs per jet, you will be supervised b...
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10 - Alderdi Eder
17 km away
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11 - Begiratokiko Baluartea
17 km away
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12 - Stand up Paddle in Hendaye
10 km away
Enjoy an unforgettable Stand Up Paddle experience and discover Hendaye in a unique way with the Gold Coast Surf School! Hendaye, the jewel of the Basque coast, offers an idyllic setting for Stand Up Paddle. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and surround...
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13 - Seminario Diocesano De San Sebastian
18 km away
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14 - Faro del Monte Igueldo
19 km away
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15 - Surfen in Hendaye
10 km away
Come and learn how to surf in Hendaye with a team of good and experienced instructors. All the instructors of Gold Coast surf school are state-certified and own a national certificate in supervision and rescue. They will share their passion for board...
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16 - Le Musée de la mer
28 km away
The Aquarium of Biarritz, or le Musée de la Mer, is an aquarium in Biarritz. The building, in art deco style, was opened in 1933. It went through the first renovation in 1992 to add an important collection of marine animals.
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17 - Zarautz
31 km away
Zarautz is a coastal town located in central Gipuzkoa, in Spain. It is bordered by Aia to the east and the south and Getaria to the west. It has four enclaves limiting the aforementioned municipalities: Alkortiaga, Ekano, Sola, and Arbestain. It's located about 15 kilometres west of San Sebastián. As of 2014, Zarautz has a population of 22,890, which usually swells to about 60,000 in the summer.
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18 - Zumaia
38 km away
Zumaia is a small town in the north of Spain in the Basque Country. The town has two beaches, which are of interest to geologists because they are situated among the longest set of continuous rock strata in the world.
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19 - Itzurun Beach
39 km away
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Learn More about Peñas de Aya
The Peñas de Aya Natural Park covers a total of 6913 hectares of land
In the eastern part of Guipuzcoa, in the foothills of the Pyrenees
Forming a part of the border between Spain and France. The area of the park spreads between the courses of the rivers Bidasoa and Urumea and has its most visible face in the massif of Tres Coronas, a great granite elevation (the only one in the province) formed by the mountains Irumugarrieta, Txurrumurru and Erroilbide, the highest peak of the province.
The rest of the Peñas de Aya has an irregular relief of great ecological value formed by deep valleys with a large number of ravines and waterfalls.
Between the rivers, Urumea and Bidasoa stand the chain of the Three Crowns (Peña de Aia - Aiako Harris).
Its singular beauty, highlighted by a characteristic silhouette, is coupled with a great geological interest. It is the only granite range in the Basque Country and the oldest in the territory.
The area also includes the Urdarburu-Añarbe range, covered with impressive oak and beech forests; the Landarbaso caves, and the water body created by the Añarbe dam.
But the Peñas de Aya is remarkable above all for the fauna species present: Pyrenean desmans, European minks, and even Atlantic salmon -reintroduced also in the waters of the Urumea- in the channel of the Endara. The sky of the area is crossed by the vulture and the Egyptian vulture. In the pastures of the high part of the Endara live the harrier; and in the rocks, the rock swallow, the alpine accentor, and the rock blackbird.
The forest of Urdaburu is home to wildcats and roe deer, which come from the neighboring mountains of Navarre. The area is the only place in the Basque Country where you can see, along with other species of birds, the famous Grosbeak.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Peñas de Aya
The Peñas de Aya Natural Park (Aiako Harria) covers a total of 6913 hectares of land in the eastern part of Guipuzcoa, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, forming part of the border between Spain and France.
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Where to Stay near Peñas de Aya
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