Txindoki

Txindoki or Larrunarri is an iconic mountain located in the region of Goierri, Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Autonomous Community of Spain. Originally Larrunarri or Ñañarri, the mount took on the popularized name Txindoki by extension after some shepherd huts nearby. It is sometimes referred to as the Basque Matterhorn too, because of its pyramidal shape.It stands out as the westernmost mountainous tip of the Aralar mountain range, with an easily recognized image that has become a symbol for all the Goierri valley. The towering mountain stands above the northern town Amezketa and its scattered farmhouses at its foot. For the most part, it is not covered in forest just like most of the Gipuzkoan side of Aralar. The steep slopes of the northern face and the Muitze valley are the wild part of Txindoki. The northern and southern side are clearly delimited by a rocky limestone crest running east to west up to the summit, which is almost entirely bare rock. The steep sides of the crest are popular with amateur rock climbers.Access points and trailsMain routeThe main and most popular access point is from the neighbourhood Larraitz. From Alegia (N-1) the minor road GI-3670 that switches to the GI-2133 in the last stretch reaches Larraitz in about 15 minutes; alternatively, it can be reached by taking the GI-2133 starting in Ordizia (N-1 E-05 E-80), taking about the same time. Larraitz, lying at 403 m (943 m below the summit), harbours the long picnic area and car park Zamao, with a couple of café-restaurants (former farmhouses) and a hermitage (17th century) all surrounded by gentle fields.