Aratz
Aratz seen from theLlanada Alavesa plains.
Highest point
Elevation	1,443 m (4,734 ft)
Coordinates	42°55′19.34″N02°18′13.17″W / 42.9220389°N 2.3036583°W /42.9220389; -2.3036583
Naming
English translation	Pure
Language of name	Basque
Pronunciation	Basque:[aˈɾats̻]
Geography
Aratz Location in Spain
Location	Álava,Spain
Parent range	Basque mountains,Altzania
Climbing
Easiest route	FromSan Adrian/Ezkaratza spring

Aratz (meaning 'pure' inBasque, after its stone surface devoid of vegetation) is a mountain of theBasque Country inSpain located at the mountain rangeAltzania (also calledUrkilla) that provides the extension for the massifAizkorri. It lies right on the line between provincesGipuzkoa andÁlava, the summit rising at 1,443 m high, next toElurzuloak (1,431 m). The whole Aizkorri and Aratz area was declared theAizkorri-Aratz Natural Park in 2006.^[1][2]

The main access points are located both in the town ofAraia on the fringes of theAlava plains (840 m drop from the summit) and at the springEzkaratza (drinking water) by theWay of St James west of theSan Adrian tunnel.

• The route starting off in Araia (PR-A11) heads north past the ruins of the fortressMarutegi on a rock halfway (8th century). Soon after, the trail with yellow and white signalization must be abandoned right to get to the springIturriotz (1h10, drinking water), and on to the switching point with both GR-121 and PR-A12 coming fromEzkaratza. The summit ofAratz lies on the south-east after surmounting steeplimestonekarst slopes with no clear trail (1h45).
• FromEzkaratza, some minutes away from the pass ofSan Adrian, the PR-A12 circuit trail penetrates south-east up into the forest until it merges with GR-121 (red and white signalization) and the above route coming fromAraia.
• A third but less popular route sets off inBeunda on the way to San Adrian. The concrete track winds down west until the milestoneAldaola where it forks (altitude 850 m). The option is to follow the left track, which going down reaches and crosses the stream. At this point, the northern face of Aratz towers on the left covered with a vastbeech forest. In no more than 150 metres, the track veers sharply to the east and on to south-east until the pass ofAllarte (1,141 m high) is reached.

• Description of some accesses to Aratz (Archived 2009-10-25) Site in Spanish

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