Ecotourist Commitment
Basque tradition and natural balance
Basque tradition and natural balance
Welcome to Gorbeia Natural Park, a place where conservation and sustainable tourism are integrated in perfect harmony. Our ecotourism approach turns each visit into an experience that allows you to connect with nature and contribute to its care.
The Gorbeia Natural Park and several companies are accredited with the Sustainable Tourism Seal of the Natura 2000 Network, which guarantees that all our activities respect natural values and contribute to the sustainability of the territory.
Through activities such as guided hiking, museum visits, or flora and fauna observation, we promote respect for the environment and encourage responsible practices. When touring Gorbeia, you will not only discover its impressive natural beauty and cultural richness, but you will also actively collaborate in the protection of this authentic place.
Your visit helps the local and natural environment
Gorbeia Natural Park, declared in 1994 by Decree 228/1994 of June 21, 1994, covers an area of 20,016 hectares, making it the largest natural park in the Basque Country, distributed between the Historical Territories of Alava and Bizkaia. Since that date, active work has been carried out on its management and conservation.
In 2024, the space belonging to the Natura 2000 Network achieved accreditation to the System for the Recognition of the Sustainability of Nature Tourism in the Natura 2000 Network (SRSTNRN2000), granted by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. This certification recognizes the efforts of the protected area in promoting sustainable ecotourism and biodiversity conservation, highlighting an effective management that makes the preservation of natural values compatible with the development of responsible tourism activities.
In addition, several companies operating in the territory have demonstrated their commitment to conservation and local development. These companies meet the requirements of certifications such as Soy Ecoturista, of the Green Spain Ecotourism Corridor, and SRSTNRN2000 itself, thus consolidating their role in promoting sustainable tourism in the area.
In 2024, the entities Cuadrilla de Gorbeialdea (Álava) and the Gorbeialde Rural Development Association (Bizkaia) joined the Ecotourism Association in Spain, further strengthening sustainable tourism and local development initiatives. These organizations have carried out remarkable actions to promote ecotourism. This would not have been possible without the joint collaboration with Basquetour and the protected area managers to design and promote innovative ecotourism experiences.
Thanks to these initiatives and collaborations, the Gorbeia Natural Park and its protected area in the Natura 2000 Network are part of the Ecotourism product club in Spain, holding the Soy Ecoturista (I am Ecotourist) brand, which certifies its excellence in sustainable nature tourism.