RIVER ZADORRA, between Ibaiondo and Gobeo RIVER ZADORRA, FROM GAMARRA MAYOR TO ABETXUKO FROM THE CITY TO THE COUNTRYSIDE ALONG THE RIVER

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RIVER ZADORRA, FROM GAMARRA MAYOR TO ABETXUKO PRACTICAL INFORMATION TIMETABLE OF THE URARTE VEGETABLE GARDENS Winter timetable (from 1st October to 31st March): from 08:30 to 18:15 Summer timetable

1 RIVER ZADORRA, FROM GAMARRA MAYOR TO ABETXUKO PRACTICAL INFORMATION TIMETABLE OF THE URARTE VEGETABLE GARDENS Winter timetable (from 1st October to 31st March): from 08:30 to 18:15 Summer timetable (from 1st April to 30th September): from 08:00 to 21:30 Visits unrestricted. 5 RIVER ZADORRA, between Ibaiondo and Gobeo FROM THE CITY TO THE COUNTRYSIDE ALONG THE RIVER The walk between Ibaiondo, Gobeo, Lopidana and Yurre/ Ihurre shows the characteristic rural landscape of the Alava Plains, with crop fields dotted with small villages and some vestiges of the oak forests that covered the plains centuries ago. And between the countryside and the city, the River Zadorra. Descending from the Atxa Park you can stealthily get close to the riverside in the multitude of calm nooks and crannies that you will find, and maybe you can surprise a grey heron and the many ducks that find their perfect natural habitat here. 19

0 125 250 500 m Recommended walk Route around the Green Belt Detour of interest Path Starting point Drinking water Panoramic views Playground area Picnic area Information panel Car park Length: 5 Km

2 m Recommended walk Route around the Green Belt Detour of interest Path Starting point Drinking water Panoramic views Playground area Picnic area Information panel Car park Length: 5 Km Approximate time: 1 hour and a quarter Type of path: paved path and local road How to get there: L4, Donostia, 49 stop L5, Urartea/Alibarra and Alibarra/Gobeo stops Bus stop Tram stop Precaution ROUTE The itinerary runs partly through a local road, meaning that special precaution must be taken. We start the route at the entrance to Zadorra Park located beside the roundabout at the crossroads of Avenida del Zadorra and Duque de Wellington Street at kilometre 7.4 of the Route around the Green Belt. The path follows the green points of the Belt, although there is the option to turn right and descend to the river to enjoy the broad fields that extend along its left bank. We return and continue along the path up a gentle slope to the highest point of the hill, where the ruins of the San Miguel Hermitage are, and slightly further ahead, the Atxa Archaeological Site 2. The path now descends to the river, visually leaving the city behind. We pass by a new information panel and reach a lookout over the River Zadorra; opposite, the village of Lopidana. We go from the residential area of Ibaiondo to the industrial area of Ali-Gobeo, with a large car park and several access points to the itinerary. We continue the path right beside the river along a winding section among trees and reach another rest area and park entrance, now in Gobeo 3. We separate from the Route around the Green Belt and head to the right, in the direction of Lopidana, crossing the bridge over the River Zadorra. At about 200 metres, to the left, we can see the Calzazarra Oak Forest 4. We enter Lopidana 5, past a traditional outdoor laundry, we cross the village and through crop fields we head towards Yurre/Ihurre. Upon reaching Yurre/Ihurre 6, the road turns right towards Vitoria-Gasteiz. Once we have crossed the bridge over the River Zadorra, we join the Route around the Green Belt again and turn right to return to the starting point. 20

1 5 RIVER ZADORRA, BETWEEN IBAIONDO AND GOBEO POINTS OF INTEREST 1 Atxa Hill Until the beginning of the century, this hill was a suburban area that was highly degraded by waste dumping and illegal

It is currently a green area for leisure that provides continuity to the Zadorra Park between the Yurre/Ihurre and Gobeo Bridges, and is a key part of the Green Belt.

3 Gobeo You can visit: the Gobeo Bridge which, despite the refurbishment it has undergone, displays the two pointed arches of the original construction, from the 15th century; the parish church, with

3 1 5 RIVER ZADORRA, BETWEEN IBAIONDO AND GOBEO POINTS OF INTEREST 1 Atxa Hill Until the beginning of the century, this hill was a suburban area that was highly degraded by waste dumping and illegal vegetable plots. Its recovery is part of the Plan for the Hydraulic Adaptation and Environmental Restoration of the River Zadorra as it passes by Vitoria-Gasteiz. It is currently a green area for leisure that provides continuity to the Zadorra Park between the Yurre/Ihurre and Gobeo Bridges, and is a key part of the Green Belt. 2 Archaeological site in Atxa It was an Iron Age II (4th and 3rd century BC) settlement and subsequently the location of a Roman military camp (1st century AD). 3 Gobeo You can visit: the Gobeo Bridge which, despite the refurbishment it has undergone, displays the two pointed arches of the original construction, from the 15th century; the parish church, with a Baroque altarpiece and a 16th century high cross. 4 Calzazarra Oak Forest A small oak forest located north of Gobeo, beside the River Zadorra. It has enormous ecological value due to its island forest nature among crop fields, with a rich diversity of fauna and flora. The humidity there due to its proximity to the river means that it is home to a variety of plant species, such as oak, maple and ash trees, accompanied by a large variety of shrubs and vines, and closer to the water, willows and black poplars. 21

Its high ecological value led to its declaration as an SCI (Site of Community Importance) within the European Natura 2000 Network.

6 Yurre/Ihurre Worth noting is the polychromatic altarpiece of the parish church, from the 14th century, with a sculpture of the Virgin of particular quality.

CURIOSITIES The expansive views from the Atxa Hill and its proximity to the water have meant that this location has been chosen by several human settlements throughout history.

4 Its high ecological value led to its declaration as an SCI (Site of Community Importance) within the European Natura 2000 Network. 5 Lopidana Its 13th century church, with a more modern tower, from the 19th century, is a late Romanesque building that features a carved façade. 6 Yurre/Ihurre Worth noting is the polychromatic altarpiece of the parish church, from the 14th century, with a sculpture of the Virgin of particular quality. Also worth noting is a 16th century high cross with a representation of the Pietà. CURIOSITIES The expansive views from the Atxa Hill and its proximity to the water have meant that this location has been chosen by several human settlements throughout history. The research carried out at the archaeological site in Atxa confirms that between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC there was an indigenous settlement there, with a culture strongly influenced by the Celtiberian world, based on an agriculture and livestock economy and a military culture. It is likewise known that after a century of occupation, the settlement was abandoned and Atxa remained unoccupied for hundreds of years. Later, in the late 1st century AD, during the Flavia dynasty period, Atxa was inhabited again by a small Roman military regiment, which built a temporary camp, the functions of which may have been the recruitment of indigenous units to send them to defend the border of the empire and to carry out public works. 22

RIVER ZADORRA, BETWEEN IBAIONDO AND GOBEO 6 ZABALGANA A RECOVERED NATURAL SPACE Little is left of the old gravel pit that used to be here until the 1990s.

5 RIVER ZADORRA, BETWEEN IBAIONDO AND GOBEO 6 ZABALGANA A RECOVERED NATURAL SPACE Little is left of the old gravel pit that used to be here until the 1990s. After the remodelling and ecological and landscape improvements carried out, Zabalgana Park is currently a space of high natural value, right beside the Zabalgana Neighbourhood. The walk through this park is very varied, as in just 4 kilometres we can cross extensive meadows, small forests, lagoons, small hills and a gall-oak forest, home to a variety of fauna and flora. Several resting areas and a network of paths provide full enjoyment of this location which, surrounded by houses, factories and crop fields, is a true natural island. 23

ROUTE AROUND THE GREEN BELT of Vitoria-Gasteiz

The Route around the Green Belt of Vitoria-Gasteiz is a circular and linking all the parks that form the Green Belt. The Route can be easily accessed from any point within the city, and from the Route,