Balerdi
Encyclopedia
Balerdi also called Mallozarra, is a mountain of the Aralar
massif
closing the mountain range at its northern end as well as standing last in the imposing ridge-line called the Malloak (a term used by locals to refer to them, translating roughly as 'jagged ridge') looming over the valley Araitz. It lies on the border between Gipuzkoa and Navarre
as most of Aralar
forms the border between both Spanish provinces. Despite its descending shape from the higher mount Artubi, the summit is popular with locals and hikers for its characteristic outline of limestone
walls and the tricky access to the summit at the end of a narrow rocky stretch with cliffs on either side. As a result, there have been many fatal accidents.
The main access points are in the villages at the foot of the mountain, i.e. Gaintza (388 m) and Azkarate (460 m) on the Navarre
se side. The trail rises west in a zigzag to the pass of Astunalde (1,203 m), the ascent being steep. It takes no more than to 2 hours on foot. Another approach starts in the Gipuzkoan town of Amezketa
and leads through the highland valley of the quarries (Minak). It takes 2½ hours to reach the top of Balerdi from there and the paths are signposted clearly all along.
Aralar Range
Aralar aran'+'larre', meaning 'valley field') is the Basque name for a mountain range, which broadly speaking separates the province of Gipuzkoa from Navarre in the North of Spain...
massif
Massif
In geology, a massif is a section of a planet's crust that is demarcated by faults or flexures. In the movement of the crust, a massif tends to retain its internal structure while being displaced as a whole...
closing the mountain range at its northern end as well as standing last in the imposing ridge-line called the Malloak (a term used by locals to refer to them, translating roughly as 'jagged ridge') looming over the valley Araitz. It lies on the border between Gipuzkoa and Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
as most of Aralar
Aralar Range
Aralar aran'+'larre', meaning 'valley field') is the Basque name for a mountain range, which broadly speaking separates the province of Gipuzkoa from Navarre in the North of Spain...
forms the border between both Spanish provinces. Despite its descending shape from the higher mount Artubi, the summit is popular with locals and hikers for its characteristic outline of limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
walls and the tricky access to the summit at the end of a narrow rocky stretch with cliffs on either side. As a result, there have been many fatal accidents.
The main access points are in the villages at the foot of the mountain, i.e. Gaintza (388 m) and Azkarate (460 m) on the Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se side. The trail rises west in a zigzag to the pass of Astunalde (1,203 m), the ascent being steep. It takes no more than to 2 hours on foot. Another approach starts in the Gipuzkoan town of Amezketa
Amezketa
Amezketa is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Autonomous Community, in the north of Spain.-External links:* Information available in Spanish and Basque.* Information available in Spanish...
and leads through the highland valley of the quarries (Minak). It takes 2½ hours to reach the top of Balerdi from there and the paths are signposted clearly all along.