The spell of the Roman Road

Hiking trail The spell of the Roman Road

Longitud Desnivel Duración Apto Señalización
7,2 km 235 m 1h y 45mt BTT y a pie  
Rutas 02 El Hechizo De La Calzada Romana

Tours by mountain bikes and by foot in one of the most beautiful places in the Guesalaz Valley associated with cultural heritage of great importance.

The circular trail is of great historical interest and, is of low difficulty, with a drop of 247 meters.  This route can be done on foot or by mountain bike.

The round trip route is 7.30 kilometres, starting and ending in Garísoain.  The trail runs along the wash house and the fountain of Sorginiturri and continues along the Roman Road arriving at the summit of Guirguillano.

The trail takes advantages of the 1 kilometre carriageway from the Roam Road but above all to highlight the 400 metres of Roman Road in the summit of Guirguillano is in good condition and well conserved.  Conserved slabs on the edges that give it the necessary consistency for identification.  It belongs to a path, which tore the town of Andelos and allowed Andeloneneses, among other possibilities, to take advantage of the salt surfaced in place now known as Salinas de Oro

The wash house or Sorgiñiturri fountain was the antique meeting place of the witches of the area according to historical documents, in which they state in detail inquisitorial processes in Garisoain.

These ancient documents cite that this fountain was like it is today.  Nobody can remember how the witches came to the meeting area next to the fountain of “Sorguiñiturri”, the witches gathered at the fountain and carried out their water potions and spells in the moonlight.  These waters were channelled to the village.

From the summit of Guirguillano you can see a beautiful panoramic view of the area, a pine forest, an oak forest and the trail back to Garisoain.

In the vicinity you can see the Chapels of Pilar and San Cristobal.

Complete description of the route

  • The trail starts at a wide path that climbs up the mountain, soon we find a fork and we take the trail to the left.
  • A few meters later we find a way that makes us leave the trail and we go into the mountain.  It is important that we follow the signs.  If we turn around the views is beautiful, we can see villages of the Yerri and Guesalaz Valley, the splendour of the Alloz Reservoir and the aquatic activities.  We can also see the mountain range of Lóquiz and Andía.
  • We continue crossing the mountain amongst very rich and varied, holm oak, boxwood, pine, etc...  Little by little with a small ascent with various zig-zags we arrive at the summit of the mountain.
  • Here we have the option of going to the summit of Iguste that is less than 1,000 metres in height, but it has beautiful views.  However, the trail runs in the opposite direction.
  • Soon we can make out the villages such as Arguiñariz, Guirguillano or Echarren which are at the bottom the lands of “Señorío de Sarria” and on the other side the Arga River.  From here we can also visit the uninhabited village of Sorakoitz, where we can see an ancient farm house and Church.  The village was heavily affected by the rural depopulation in the mid-twentieth century.
  • The Mediterranean vegetation is typical in the area, and it accompanies us part of the way.  We walk through a wide stretch which is immerged in plantations of Austrian pines and other areas are filled with field crops.
  • Gradually we arrive at the road that comes from Garisoain in the direction of Guirguillano.  We arrive at the Summit of Guirguillano and again we are at a privileged spot, with views in all directions.  We continue the trail of the Roman Road.  It is a pleasure to be able to walk on a road that is well conserved from this era.
  • From this moment on we walk surrounded by field crops, cereal, sunflowers, etc... and the path is flat or descending.
  • We cross the road again that comes from Garisoain in the direction of Muzqui and we enter into paths of consolidated land that takes us to Garisoain passing by a magic point.  The fountain and the wash house of the village are about 500 metres from the village.