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The Natural Park of Izki, was declared a Natural Park in 1998. In its 9,143 acres is a home for a huge diversity of landscapes and is the third largest park in the Basque Autonomous Community. This forest sits on sandy soils that make up the basin and ocuppy therein Izki large mammals such as wild boar, roe deer and bobcat, and a unique population of woodpeckers and woodpecker birds.

Localization

The high altitude of the Izki's valley between 700 and 800 meters, is located in eastern Alava, bordering the mountains of Vitoria in the north and the Sierra de Cantabria to the south. This is a very extensive area of gentle relief and sandy, bordered by predominantly limestone mountains, with the highest point on Mount Kapildui (1,177 m).The center of the valley runs from west to east across the river Izki in the numerous streams whose draining into the river Ega. Inside the Natural Park, the gorge of the same name, Korres is the only population center of this exceptional natural surroundings, accompanying others on the periphery, such as San Román de Campezo, Quintana, Urturi, and Apellániz Marquínez (where we can find large stands of chestnut trees).

Fauna

Izki forests shelter a large number of animal species: agile frog, cat, sable, fawn mouse, hawk, owl, great spotted woodpecker ... Where the forest landscape is interrupted by spectacular rocky cliffs, interesting breed of prey: golden eagle, peregrine falcon, vulture ... Rivers and lakes are also home to a unique fauna: salamander, dippers, kingfishers, mink ... Stresses the importance of wetlands as resting areas along migration routes of species as unique as the golden-brown. Invertebrates, although less known, are also abundant in Izki. For example, have been cited more than 100 different species of butterfliesthe presence of protected Apollo ( Parnassius apollo).

Flora

Izki is on the boundary between Atlantic and Mediterranean region, which favors the existence of a wide variety of trees and shrubs: marojo, beeches, birches, oaks, oaks, maples, aspen, holly ... Some are classified as Unique Trees, due to its unique characteristics of size and age. Yew is the case and Antoñana Linden. But we must also note a high number of non-woody plants, such as those adapted to living in crevices and ledges of the rocks, the beautiful and interesting orchid species growing in the wetlands of the Natural Park, among which a unique flytrap (Drosera longifolia), very rare carnivorous plant in the Basque Country.

Geography

Originally Izki was water. Between 40 and 100 million years ago this area was covered by a shallow sea. This is attested by the presence of fossils of bivalves, corals, algae and other marine life in the rocks of this Nature. They also found fossilized remains of large vertebrates, such as dinosaur eggs. Subsequently, different geologic forces raised folded and materials deposited on the seabed. The sandstone and limestone thus formed, and after thousands of years of erosion, resulted in a large valley surrounded by steep mountains, which is the current relief. Among the various points of geological interest-gorge Izki Mill, Lower Lake Virgala ...-, mines include natural asphalts and Maestu Atauri.

Landscape

Izki landscape is clearly dominated by extensive and dense forests, Pyrenean oak, gall oak, holm oak, beech ... that are interrupted in some areas by spectacular rocky escarpments: Monte Soila, Muela de San Román, Atauri, ravines and Marquínez Arlucea ... In the higher areas, centuries of animal husbandry, have formed beautiful pasture dotted with trees and shrubs. Water flow through centuries of river channels-Izki Park, Arizulo, Recagacha, Baraitus, Berrón, Mill-has formed unique places like the canyons of Mill and Korres. On this last "hang"the only inhabited nucleus included within the Natural Park, fully integrated with the natural beauty around you.

Pico mediano

Few animal species can be considered as genuine forests as woodpeckers. In Izki, there are five of these birds: the Wryneck, the woodpecker and the peaks: Woodpecker, smaller and medium. The latter is the most representative, since it is one of the rarest forest birds and unknown, due to its small size and elusive behavior.

La muela

North of San Roman de Campezo, in the southern limits of Izki, stands one of the most impressive limestone moles: La Muela, at an altitude of 1,056 meters. The abrupt cut from the south side home to an interesting colony of griffon vultures. At the top you grow accompanied by a dense Bujedo.

Laguna de olandina

In the vicinity of Izki Natural Park, between Minor and Apellániz Virgala, is Olandina Lagoon. This attractive wetland, surrounded by a fringe of ash and oak trees, houses a remarkable aquatic flora, among which the white water lily (Nymphaea alba) - and valuable habitat for amphibians such as the painted frog and the frog agile.

Barranco de Corres

The river Izki, after centuries of steady erosion has carved a beautiful gorge between the mountains and the Muela Soila, on their way from Korres to Bujanda. Vertical rock walls share this small space with a rich variety of trees and shrubs, beech, oak, oak, boxwood ...- giving the narrow valley a variety of colors and textures.

Robledal de Izki

One of the most notable Izki values ​​are its forests. Highlights the Pyrenean, formed by an oak tree called, in the environment of this Nature, hackberry (Quercus pyrenaica), a species well distinguished from other oaks by its leaves heavily lobed and hairy on the underside. It extends over some 3,500 hectares of forest was larger marojo Europe.

Category:Natural parks of Spain Category:Protected areas of the Basque Country (autonomous community)