Aralar Range
| Aralar Range | |
|---|---|
View of the Aralar mountains from Txindoki
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Irumugarrieta |
| Elevation | 1,431 m (4,695 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Area | 208 km2 (80 sq mi) |
| Geography | |
| Country | Spain |
| States/Provinces | Gipuzkoa and Navarre |
| Range coordinates | 43°00′00″N 2°02′00″W / 43.000063°N 2.033398°WCoordinates: 43°00′00″N 2°02′00″W / 43.000063°N 2.033398°W |
| Geology | |
| Type of rock | Karst |
The Aralar Range (Basque pronunciation: [aˈɾalar]) is a mountain range in the Basque Mountains of Southern Basque Country. The part of the range lying in Gipuzkoa was established as a conservation area called Aralar Natural Park in 1994. In addition to its natural features, scenic beauty, recreational use and habitation, the range is home to a rich corpus of Basque mythology milestones and legends.
The Basque word, 'Aralar' may stem from the words '(h)aran', meaning 'valley' and 'larre', meaning 'graze-land'. In Spanish, the range is also called Sierra de Aralar.
The range covers 20,800 hectares (208 km2). 10,971 hectares (109.71 km2) is conservation area. The range is located in the Basque Country of northern Spain, straddling the boundaries of south-eastern Gipuzkoa and north-western Navarre. The range effectively separates the two provinces. Pamplona lies approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the south east. The Spanish coastline at the Cantabrian Sea (the southern Bay of Biscay) and the town of San Sebastian are approximately the same distance to the north north-east. The border between Spain and France is approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi) to the north-east. Villages located at the foot of the range include Beasain, Arbizu and Ataun. At Lizarrusti, a visitor centre marks the park's main entrance. It operates in the former miquelete (Gipuzkoan military police) barracks. The Aia hamlet (access via Aia road, NA120) nestles on the southern slopes of the range.
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