Vitoria-Gasteiz: A walk through the city’s lung

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Vitoria-Gasteiz

Vitoria-Gasteiz Green Ring is a wide extension located in the Llanada (Plain). It surrounds the city and acts as a green transition between the urban environment and the most rural settings.

We can take up to 13 different routes to go through more than 180 kilometres of cycle lanes and pedestrian tracks offered. Rivers, lagoons, forests, meadows, and small villages are some of the atmospheres that we can find in this part of the territory surrounding the city.

Starting from Vitoria-Gasteiz southern area, from La Florida Park, through La Senda Promenade, the route will be divided in two not long afterwards. We go towards the Olarizu Park, located 2 kilometres from the city centre. The people from Vitoria-Gasteiz know it very well because it has been a meeting point and a place for celebrating deep-rooted pilgrimages since time immemorial, besides being a traditional area for walking.

It has a great historic value. After being abandoned for several decades, the house has been restored and, at present, it houses the headquarters of the Centre for Environmental Studies.

After visiting this first place in our route, we will go towards the Armentia Forest. A 5-kilometre route, strengthened with gravel, gets us into an amazing landscape with important historic-artistic charms, such as the Armentia Basilica and the Esquível Castle, located in the Gomecha Hill. From here, we can enjoy panoramic views over the city.

It is the first Basque cathedral and one of the main Romanesque churches in the Basque Country. In order to visit the Romanesque San Prudencio Basilica, we need to arrange the visit previously.

From the villages of Ali, Armentia and Zuazo we can easily access the Zabalgana Forest Park, the third place of interest. From the hillocks that follow one another through the length and breadth of the Park, we can observe the Vitoria Mountains, the majestic Gorbea, the Badaya Mountain Range, and the Amboto’s wild crests.

From here, we will get nearer the northern area of the Green Ring, which goes through the medieval quarter and crosses the main quarters in Vitoria-Gasteiz until we arrive at the Salburúa wetland. Hundreds of water birds reach this natural sanctuary, which has become the brightest symbol for the preservation of this valued ecosystem.

It has two observatories open to the general public, from which we can observe its abundant fauna: bitterns, minks, Black-crowned night-herons, agile frogs... all of the in danger of extinction.