Hernio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hernio |
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Final stretch to the top of Hernio
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,200 m (3,900 ft) |
| Naming | |
| Language of name | Lua error in Module:ISO_639_name at line 108: attempt to index local 'data' (a nil value). |
| Pronunciation | Basque: [ˈernjo] |
| Geography | |
 Hernio
Location in Spain
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| Location | Gipuzkoa, Spain |
| Parent range | Basque mountains |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | From Iturriotz |
Hernio (also called Ernio) is a famous mountain in the Basque Country. It is very popular with people from Gipuzkoa and is located right in the middle of the province.
This mountain peak is the highest point of a group of mountains that stretch from north-west to south-east. Hernio's summit rises near the Zelatun pass. Other nearby peaks in this range include Mount Gazume (997 meters) to the west and Mount Herniozabal (1,200 meters) to the east. The villages at the base of Hernio are Errezil (south-west), Alkiza (north-east), and Asteasu (north). From the top of Hernio, you can see a beautiful view of Azpeitia and the large rock of Izarraitz towering over the town.
Contents
Getting to Hernio: Popular Hiking Trails
Hernio is a popular spot for hikers and locals. You can reach it using different trails that start from various places.
Iturriotz: The Easiest Path
Iturriotz is a place 580 meters high. You can get there by a road (GI-2631) that starts at Andatzarrate. Long ago, in 1535, Ignatius of Loyola stayed here overnight on his way back from Paris.
A trail goes up from Iturriotz, following the Zelatun stream. It leads to the Zelatun pass, which is 841 meters high. At the pass, you will find some huts. From there, take a clear path on the left that goes across the side of Hernio. This path heads south-east. After a long climb, a few zigzags on rocky ground will take you to the top of the mountain. The hike up and back usually takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Alkiza: A Scenic Forest Route
To start from Alkiza (344 meters high), take the road (GI-3630) entering the village from the south-west. A concrete track turns off to the left, leaving the houses behind. After a zigzag, a hiking trail goes up south-west along a fence and enters a forest.
This route (PR GI-78) is covered in plants and trees. It is marked all along on rocks, signs, and trees. The path generally goes west, following the mountain range on your left. Before reaching the Zelatun pass, the path crosses an open area on a sloped ground. From Zelatun, you follow the same final path to the peak as described above. This route takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to the peak and back.
Errezil: The Steepest Climb
The village of Errezil is right at the foot of Hernio, so it is very close to the mountain. However, this might be the hardest way to go up because it is very steep. A dirt track winds up from the road (GI-2634) all the way to the Zelatun pass. Sometimes, you might see SUVs here, perhaps belonging to hunters. The climb up and back from Errezil takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Nature and History of Hernio
The Hernio mountain range has many forests with different types of trees. In the last century, Monterrey pine and larch trees have grown more, replacing some of the native trees. On the northern side of the mountain range, beech forests cover the steep slopes. You can also find patches of oak and chestnut trees, with some birch trees scattered around.
There are also grasslands, especially in the north-west, at Zelatun and nearby. For hundreds of years, the Zelatun pass has been a path for cattle. Farmers would move their cattle seasonally from the Aralar and even Urbasa mountains to the pastures closer to the coast.
People have lived in this mountain area for thousands of years. This is shown by the Altxerri cave. In 1962, ancient wall paintings and rock carvings were found there. They show animals like bison, horses, reindeer, and fish.
Traditions and Events at Hernio
- The San Joan hermitage is next to the Iturriotz building (mentioned above). A celebration for Saint John is held there on June 24. Local stories say that the water flowing from its walls can cure skin problems like scabies and ringworm.
- Hernio is famous for its popular pilgrimages in September. These events happen every Sunday of the month. The last Sunday is the most popular, with a steady line of people of all ages walking to the top. The summit is covered with small crosses, which people believe have special powers. There are also small memorials and a mountaineer postbox. Before the final climb to the peak, you can grab metallic rings hanging from a cross. People slide these rings around any part of their body that feels sick, hoping it will heal. At the fields of Zelatun, a lively celebration with music, dance, and a cheerful atmosphere takes place all day long.
- Since the early 2000s, hundreds of people join a group hike that goes around the entire mountain range of Hernio. This event is called Erniopeko Martxa and is held in spring. The walk starts early in the morning (for example, in Alkiza in 2008). The route is 48.6 kilometers long and crosses eight villages around the mountain. There is also a shorter route available that cuts the journey in half.
See also
In Spanish: Hernio para niños
