Oiz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oiz |
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Mount Oiz summit.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,026 m (3,366 ft) |
| Prominence | 710 m (2,330 ft) |
| Naming | |
| Language of name | Basque |
| Geography | |
 Oiz
Location in Spain
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| Location | Biscay, Spain |
| Parent range | Basque mountains |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | South face from Garai. |
Mount Oiz is a famous mountain in the Basque Country, Spain. It stands tall at 1,026 meters (about 3,366 feet). It is one of the most popular peaks in the Biscay region. The mountain's summits are part of a long range. This range feeds several important rivers like the Ibaizabal, Artibai, Lea, Oka, and Deba. All these rivers flow into the Bay of Biscay.
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About Mount Oiz
Mount Oiz is easy to spot from far away. This is mainly because of the large antenna and wind turbines on its top.
Its location in the middle of the province and its height offer amazing views. From the summit, you can see the nearby sea. You can also see many surrounding mountains.
Nature and Wildlife
Even today, you can find patches of oak and beech trees on the mountain. However, the higher areas are mostly covered by large grassy fields. Here, you will see sheep, horses, and cows grazing peacefully.
The mountain is also home to wild animals. You might spot deer and boars. Many different birds fly freely between Oiz and the nearby Urkiola natural park.
History and Legends
Oiz is a very important place in the history of Biscay and the Basque Country.
Ancient Times
Long ago, during prehistory, shepherds lived on Mount Oiz. They left behind many important megalithic monuments. These are large stone structures. Later, these early people moved to the valleys. There, they left a burial ground called the San Juan de Momoitio necropolis.
Hornblower Mountain
Oiz is one of the special "Hornblower Mountains." In the Middle Ages, these mountains were used to call together the assembly of the Lordship of Biscay. People would light fires and blow into horns from the top of Oiz. This was a way to gather everyone for important meetings.
The Lady of Anboto
A famous legend says that Mari, also known as "The Lady of Anboto," has a home on Oiz. Tradition tells that Mari moves between Anboto and Oiz every seven years. People believed that the weather and how good the crops would be depended on where Mari was at the time.
A Sad Event
On February 19, 1985, a plane had a tragic accident near the summit of Oiz. This was a very sad day for the region.
The Hornblower Mountains
The Hornblower Mountains are called Deiadar-Mendiak in Basque. These are five special peaks in Biscay, Spain. From these mountains, people used sound and light signals to call for the General Meetings of the Lordship of Biscay.
These mountains were chosen because they are spread out across the region. They are also visible from many places. The five Hornblower Mountains are:
- Kolitza, which is 879 meters high, in the Las Encartaciones region.
- Ganekogorta, which is 998 meters high, located above Bilbao.
- Gorbea, the tallest at 1,481 meters, above Arratia-Nervión, near the border with Álava.
- Oiz, which is 1,026 meters high, overlooking Durango, Lea Artibai, and Urdaibai.
- Sollube, which is 686 meters high, above Bermeo, Urdaibai, and Txorierri.
From these high peaks, people would blow horns and trumpets. They would also light large bonfires at dawn. These signals would call the leaders to the General Assembly of Vizcaya. This way of announcing meetings has been used since the Middle Ages.
Climbing Mount Oiz
There are several ways to climb Mount Oiz. One common way starts from the road on the west side of the mountain. Here, you can find the Bizkaiko Talaia Viewpoint, also known as the Balcony of Biscay. From there, marked paths lead towards Oiz.
You can also start from other points. For example, from Ziortza (307 m) or the Gontzegarai pass (360 m) on the north side. On the eastern side, you can begin your climb from the Trabakua pass (405 m).
How Long Does It Take?
Here are some estimated times to reach the summit:
- From Durango: about 3 hours and 30 minutes, going through Sarrimendi.
- From Garai: about 3 hours, following the Oiz track.
- From the Balcony of Vizcaya: about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- From Trabakua Pass: about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
See also
In Spanish: Oiz para niños
