Alavabus - arabaturismo

This route connects Vitoria-Gasteiz with the municipality of Zigoitia, the second largest in the Gorbeialdea region. Most of the municipality belongs to the Gorbeia Natural Park, an outstanding setting that features immense environmental and scenic wealth.

In the Gorbeia Natural Park, steep rocks alternate with pastures and beech and oak forests...

Majestic landscapes and a fascinating history full of legends that make it an ideal setting for outdoor activities.

The Aramaio stop drops you off in the town of lbarra, from where you can enter the Urkiola Natural Park and climb peaks such as Santikurutz or Orisol from where you enjoy simply breathtaking views.

Both of these walks are 7 km long.

We recommend using the outward or return trip as an opportunity to discover the beautiful civil and religious buildings distributed throughout the municipality, tucked away in this valley of unique landscapes.

Alavabus route 4 links the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz and the small town of Narbaiza, offering a wide range of possibilities to enjoy nature, most notably the Mendixur ornithological park.

The Alavabus stop in the town of Mendixur provides easy access to the ornithological park along a simple track that leads to the first of the observatories. From this here it is possible to visit the other two observatories, which are of great interest.

Alavabus route 4 stops in the provincial park of Garaio between 1 June and 15 September, offering an ideal excursion for the summer months.

Shared between Álava and Gipuzkoa, the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park comprises a set of mountain ranges, dominated mostly by limestone rocks, where the highest peaks of both territories are located.

It is also famous for places such as the La Leze ravine-cave, a large 80 metre high cavity, unique in Europe due to its geological characteristics and a veritable paradise for lovers of canyoning.

Equally as impressive is the San Adrián tunnel, a natural passage between Álava and Gipuzkoa that passes through rock and located in a spectacular setting.

Alavabus route 6 takes us to all points along the Basque-Navarre greenway, however, we recommend visiting two particular stretches:

1. Maeztu to Antoñana represents 8 km of the route, where the unparalleled landscape of the Montaña Alavesa provides shelter all along the way.

2. From Maeztu to the Leorza-Cicujano tunnel. This short route will surprise you when you reach this 300 metre long tunnel, noted for being the first Basque-Navarre greenway tunnel to have been restored and decorated.

You can also discover:

• Medieval Town of Antoñana and Basque-Navarre Interpretation Centre.
   
• Izki natural park, covering 9,143 hectares and the third largest natural park in the Basque Country. You should use the Antoñana stop as a reference to do the 10 km walk to Korres in order to enjoy the day in the lzki natural park’s recreational area. Catch the bus from Antoñana again to return to Vitoria-Gasteiz.

We suggest discovering the GR-38 by using the direct link to Lagrán that operates daily between 1 November and 15 April (for other dates consult schedules and options by phoning 945182060) and choosing one of two very different routes in terms of difficulty:

1. The first is a pleasant, easy 12 km walk to Albaina through one of the most beautiful beech forests in the area. At Albaina you catch Alavabus route 7 to return to Vitoria-Gasteiz.

2. The second, more difficult, 12 km route takes you to ‘Puerto de Toro’, continuing on to Laguardia. At Laguardia you catch Alavabus route 9 to return to Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Alavabus route 8 allows you to travel out from Logroño to discover interesting heritage resources, most notable among which is the medieval town of Labraza.

Labraza is the smallest fortified town in the Basque Country and, according to some experts, one of the best preserved in the world. In 2008 it received the World Walled Town Award.

Discover:
 

• Dolmen of the Chabola de La Hechicera (Witch’s Hut)
   
• Olive Presses of Rioja Alavesa
   

Alavabus route 9 links Vitoria-Gasteiz and Logroño, and along this route it is possible to visit three essential towns to discover Rioja Alavesa, its fables, the Middle Ages and pair its wines.

The first plan that we suggest is Labastida, whose name means “fixed stone fortress”. Exploring its old quarter is a stroll through centuries, due to the enormous historical and cultural wealth of its buildings.

Samaniego also offers a perfect day trip to enjoy the aroma of the wines and the rich heritage both in its old quarter as well as the area of its Wineries which, unlike other towns, is not located in the old quarter.

Naturally, the same can be said of Laguardia. Laguardia is part of the select club of “The most BEAUTIFUL TOWNS in Spain” and rightfully so: the medieval layout of its streets remains intact; it retains its monumental wall and is home to some of the best wineries in the region.

Taking Logroño as a starting point, Alavabus route 10 allows you to visit several Rioja Alavesa towns together, in addition to their wineries and wine culture, guided by the literary heritage of the author Pío Baroja.

His work entitled “El Mundo es Ansí” mentions the town of Navaridas, in fact the novel’s title comes from a coat of arms featured on the façade of a house that, curiously enough, is not in Navaridas but in the nearby Páganos. You can find this coat of arms on a house in the street that bears the writer’s name.

The Ebro is the only major river on the Mediterranean side, since the waters of all the other peninsular arteries of equal dimensions, i.e., Tajo, Duero, Guadiana and Guadalquivir, flow into the Atlantic Ocean.

Alavabus route 11 allows us to learn more about it and enjoy its riches. We suggest getting off at Assa to follow the section of the GR-99 that connects this small town with Lapuebla de Labarca (6 km) or, if you feel like walking, continuing on to Elciego (16 km). You can catch the bus back to Logroño from either of these two locations.

Highly recommended: before starting the route, visit the 164 m long, 11th century bridge of Mantible, due to its historical significance. Located downstream of the GR-99, and just a few minutes walk from Assa.

This Alavabus route leaves from Vitoria-Gasteiz and allows us to discover two ‘jewels’ of the Rioja Alavesa region: Salinillas de Buradon and Labastida.

Salinillas de Buradón is a village whose old quarter features several noble buildings and palaces, but what most attracts the visitor’s attention is its 13th century wall and well-preserved gates. It owes its name to the historic saline spring, which has since disappeared, but which was key for the economic and social development of the town between the 12th and 19th centuries.

Salinillas de Buradón is a parish of Labastida so, by catching the same Alavabus route 12, we can also visit this town, which has one of the most beautiful old quarters with a unique heritage: painted murals, remains of the defensive wall, palaces, stone wine presses... And, of course, wineries.

Añana is one of Álava’s seven ‘Cuadrillas’ (Districts) and it encourages the tourist to appreciate the natural resources, landscapes and deep cultural roots as a whole. Alavabus route 13 allows you to learn a lot more about this region.

A visit to the Añana Salt Valley is simply a ‘must’, being one of the most unique architectural, scenic, archaeological, geological and historical sites in the world, and where salt has been harvested for more than 7,000 years.

It is essential to book a guided tour around its white salt pans to learn about the techniques used for centuries to harvest salt and finish off by enjoying the spectacular views while soaking your feet in the ‘pediluvium’ (foot bath). The salt tasting is also highly recommended.
 

We suggest taking Alavabus route 14 on a weekday to visit some of the most spectacular spots in Gorbeia Natural Park along with other tourist attractions (for weekend access, use Alavabus route 15 with Murgia as a starting point).

To visit the Park House or Gorbeia Natural Park Interpretation and Reception Centre, get off at the Sarria stop and it is a half-hour walk, here you will find all the information about this natural space, its recreational areas, cultural visits, hiking and access routes to Gorbea.

Another attraction is to go from the Parketxe to the Pools of Zaldibartxo, very cold, crystal clear waters ideal for taking a dip within the surroundings of the Gorbeia Natural Park.

The day’s plans continue in Murgia and its Honey Museum, located in Casa Oregi, to enter the wonderful world of beekeeping and allowing us to see where and how honey is produced in the Gorbeia area.
 

Amurrio and Llodio will be the two reference points to take in order to enter the Nervión Linear Park; a simple, pleasant greenway on the banks of the river bearing the same name.

This route, approximately 10 km long, connects the two towns of the Ayala valley, providing a variety of landscapes and footbridges along the way, the latter being the hallmark of the intense restoration process of the banks and riverbed of the Nervión.
 

The medieval town of Artziniega is much more than a town. It is said that the town is a young woman of many years. Crossed by a river and surrounded by 600 meter-high mountains, it is one of the must-sees in the Ayala Valley.

Alavabus route 16 is the way to get to Artziniega from Llodio and Amurrio, whereas using Vitoria-Gasteiz as a starting point, then you have to change buses between routes 15 and 16.

Artziniega, originally surrounded by defensive walls, still maintains its medieval layout, a good example of which is its old quarter which stands on a hill, featuring the characteristic parallel streets: the Top one, the Middle one and the Bottom one, linked to each other by means of passageways.

Holly Oak Sanctuary

Just a short walk from Artziniega’s old quarter stands Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holly Oak, the construction of which dates back to the end of the 15th century and beginning of the 16th. Some of the features that enrich it artistically and aesthetically are its altarpiece, the paintings on its vaults, the Romanesque carving of the Virgin and its eight altars.
 

This Alavabus route departs from Bilbao, passing through some of the major tourist attractions in Rioja Alavesa. We suggest using this route to visit three towns and their wineries, a trio of aces that allow you to see and experience the essence of this land of wines:

• Laguardia with its distinctive layout of medieval streets, the spectacular polychrome portal of ‘Santa María de los Reyes’ or its Celtiberian pond.
   
• The town of Labastida, with its stone wine presses and natural caves, and a old quarter featuring painted murals and noteworthy mansions.
   
• And Samaniego, where you can lose yourself in its inviting old quarter or visit the ‘Barrio de las Bodegas’ (area of the Wineries).
   

You can access the Urrunaga reservoir, straddling Álava and Bizkaia, from Legutio. Most of it belongs to the Alava municipality of Legutio, however, part of the dam is in Otxandio, another of the stops on Alavabus route 18.

At the entrance to Legutio is the Zabalain peninsula, surrounded by the lush greenery oak and pine forests. There is a fully equipped recreation and rest area to enjoy a pleasant day with views of the endless waters of the reservoir.
 

Route 19 allows you to relive one of the most important chapters in of Álava’s history: the Battle of Vitoria. A battle that took place in the middle of the Spanish War of Independence in the 19th century, bringing victory over the French troops a step closer.

To do this, take Alavabus route 19 from Vitoria-Gasteiz to the stop in La Puebla de Arganzón. This takes us back to June 1813, when General Morillo’s Spanish troops arrived in La Puebla de Arganzón, initiating the famous Battle of Vitoria, which ended with the defeat of Napoleon's French army.

By visiting La Puebla de Arganzón we can picture that battle, which also has other key settings that formed part of it: Cerro de Jundiz, Subijana de Álava, Zuazo de Vitoria or Gamarra Mayor, without forgetting Vitoria-Gasteiz itself, which has a monument commemorating the said battle in its main square.