Estate belonging to Donostia-San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa), located in the Navarrese town of Goizueta.
In 1919, the Donostia-San Sebastián Town Council bought the Artikutza estate. Its first administrator ordered it to be fenced off to prevent the passage of livestock, which prevented the water in the streams and lakes from being kept clean. The access road to the settlement was built and not only vehicles were prevented from passing through, but also people who did not permission beforehand, as the overcrowding could alter the natural landscape. At the beginning of the 21st century, only a certain daily quota of people and vehicles, which require special authorisation from the San Sebastian Water Service, can access the estate, except every 28th August, the feast of St. Augustine, when an open day is held.
1947 and 1953 the Enobieta reservoir was built, the so-called "last human scar of Artikutza". It was said to be an essential work, but the forecasts failed and the dam was insufficient to meet Donostia's growing need for drinking water. The Añarbe reservoir came to fulfil this function of supplying the capital and Artikutza became a nature and water reserve.
It is preserved as a protected natural environment where you can enjoy long walks in contact with nature. The Town Council organises guided excursions in the company of two biologists who are experts in the area.
The Artikutza estate covers 3,645 hectares, of which 2,893 are of hardwoods; 381 of conifers; 355 of non-wooded forest; 86 of water; and the remaining 16 hectares are productive areas. It has a privileged vegetation landscape, with a predominance of autochthonous tree formations - beech and oak woods - over other introduced species, such as Scots pine or American oak, which shelter diverse faunal communities.
Its fauna is also abundant. Reptiles, roe deer, squirrels and birds of different characteristics populate the territory. Along with the natural beauty, visitors can enjoy a journey through history, as there are many prehistoric remains preserved in this enclave in San Sebastian.
Old mining railways, mines, ironworks and mills dot the estate here and there; thanks to the protectionist measures taken by the San Sebastian City Council, you can enjoy the exuberant nature close to the city.
Excursions
This route is located in Navarre, but its only access is in the town of Oiartzun, in the province of Gipuzkoa. It is possible to do the excursion on tracks and paths well signposted with white and yellow paint of a Small Route footpath.
The excursion starts at Exkax, the house of the Artikutza estate guard. Hikers who wish to walk this route will start here, crossing the entrance gate and going down the road in the direction of the village. You will soon come to a signposted turning on the left that leads into the beech forest. Leave the asphalt here and follow the white and yellow markings of a short distance footpath. The route reveals a beautiful pollarded beech forest, the result of the secular exploitation of charcoal in these mountains.
Instead of growing tall and straight, the beech trees appear twisted and with numerous branches, due to the felling of the charcoal burners. A gentle descent leads us to an explanatory panel about beech trees surrounded by large specimens of these trees. A steep descent leads us to the Exkaxpe stream; the route now passes next to the walls of an old abandoned sheepfold and continues on, large beeches and pollards, always close to the riverbed. The white and yellow signs guide us to a small wooden bridge where the bank of the Exkaxpe changes its name to Erroiarri.
The path narrows and begins to climb, leading us to a small viewpoint over the extraordinary Erroiarri waterfall. The route winds its way through the Elizmendi pass. The walk on the flat terrain ends next to an old yew tree that marks the beginning of the descent to the village of Artikutza, which is welcomed by the chapel of San Agustín. Inside the village, a sign in the forest reveals some old millstones that are one of the remains of the village.
The el is 32 kilometres from Donostia. It is an ideal place for school groups and leisure meetings. It has 36 beds with bunk beds. The ellers have at their disposal a kitchen, telephone, television, video, hot water and wood heating.
Since 2004, a new guide has been helping visitors to find and enjoy the many attractions hidden on the estate. Written by Eneko Agirre Iraeta, the guide allows visitors to get to know all the details of the enclave. It contains three maps of different routes to follow, which are already marked throughout the estate and have been approved by the Navarre Mountain Federation.
AUÑAMENDI Archive
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