Beech forest of Otzarreta

Beech forest of Otzarreta

Hayedo de Otzarreta is also known as the Magic Forest of Gorbeia. And it is not for less, because we find ourselves before a beautiful landscape full of centenary beech trees that seems to be taken from a fairy tale. This is one of the places that are recommended if we like hiking routes and also photography, since due to its great beauty this forest has become one of the most photographed in the Basque Country. It is located within the Gorbeia Natural Park in Euskadi, province of Bizkaia.

We are going to see how to get to this dream place but also the places that we can see in the surroundings and what can be done in the Hayedo de Otzarreta. So we can enjoy some charming places in which to walk with the whole family. The autumn season is especially good to visit this area, since everything is covered with a beautiful blanket of leaves.

How to get to Hayedo de Otzarreta

Beech forest of Otzarreta

This place is located in the Gorbeia Natural Park in Zeanuri, Bizkaia. It is in the port of Barazar with more than 600 meters of altitude, so you have to reach the N-240 road at the top of the port. You have to pay attention because next to Hostal Barazar is the paved road that leads to Gorbeia Park. It is possible to leave the car here if we want to take a long walk in the park, or there is a parking lot further on along that road. Go about three kilometers and you will come to a crossroads. Going straight ahead you will reach the Saldropo car park and turning left to the Hayedo car park.

When visiting this place you have to make some recommendations. One of them is that the moment in which the beech forest is more beautiful is during the fall. When the first leaves fall and a reddish mantle appears on the ground. In addition, if we visit the beech forest when it is foggy it is possible to get some precious snapshots, almost unmatched. It must be said that this place has become a popular space among photographers, so if we want one of those photographs in which there is no one, we will have to go during the week and early, since on weekends it is a busy place.

What to do in this beautiful place

Beech forest of Otzarreta

In the Hayedo de Otzarreta we can enjoy walking and capturing beautiful images. It is surprising that it is a small forest, easy to see, in which the beeches take center stage. It is common to see people walking as a family. When walking through this area we must be very careful with the roots, since these trees have very large and deep roots, so accidents must be avoided. We must wear comfortable shoes and suitable for areas with mud since it is a place with a lot of rainfall. Near the stream there is a beech tree that is especially well known, as its large roots can be seen along the water's edge. There are several accesses to go from one side of the stream to the other, so it is not recommended to jump over it, since it is quite wide in some parts and the terrain is not stable, so we could easily end up in the water.

What to see in the Gorbeia Natural Park

Mount gorbea

This beech forest is located within the Gorbeia park. It can be visited in a short time, which leaves us free to see other nearby places. One of them is the Saldropo wetland, a former bog that today is a natural place of great ecological value. In this wetland there is a small hiking trail of just one kilometer. A few meters from the wetland is the Uguna waterfall. However, within the park there is another more spectacular waterfall, that of Gujuli, next to the village of Goiuri-Ondona. It is a waterfall of one hundred meters although you have to go in the rainy season since in the summer you can run out of water.

This park is formed by a peak and its surroundings, we refer to the mount Gorbea, which is crowned by a cross that has become a very popular image among those who visit the park. This is the highest point in the park at 1.482 meters high and from this point you can have excellent panoramic views of the entire natural complex, so it is worth going up there. To access it, you go up from the Pagomakurre car park in a linear route, with about 12 kilometers round trip. The path is very well signposted and has little difficulty, so it can be done by anyone with a normal physical condition. However, we must be careful during the winter due to frost and fog, as the conditions are worse, although it is still an easy route.


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