The road that runs through the Ultzama Valley towards the small village of Alkotz lets us enjoy endless shades of green, meadows filled with sheep, horses and goats, and dense forests. Without a doubt, a place to get lost in.
A single road brings us to the most industrialised village in the valley, home to important companies always linked to the primary sector and, above all, to its flagship product: cuajada (curd). This village is the economic engine of the valley.
Alkotz lies between the N-121-A road (Arraitz exit) and the NA-4230 that crosses the valley. The village has grown along the roadside. Stately houses scattered across vast meadows welcome visitors who, little by little and without leaving this road, enter the small centre of this village, which has an inn: Alkotz Ostatua.
History / Art:
The Parish Church of San Esteban preserves its 16th-century perimeter walls with semicircular windows, although its roof dates from around 1800. It houses a silver repoussé processional cross that should be dated to the late 15th century; on the front appear the Crucifix and the symbols of the Evangelists, and on the reverse Saint Stephen, Adam emerging from the tomb, and angels bearing Passion emblems.
The most important dance in the villages of the Ultzama Valley, and especially in this village, was the Ingurutxo, which consists of several sections plus a Fandango and a Porrusalda. Young men and women take part. Game-dances were also performed, such as the “Gerriko Dantza”, which involves jumping over sashes, the “Saskito dantza” (the bushel dance), and the “Katadera dantza” (the chair dance).
Even more distinctive than these dances is the “Txipiritona”, in which the young men gradually remove their garments in time with sung verses.
Nature:
The acidic soils of Alkotz make it one of the favourite villages for mushroom and fungi enthusiasts. For this reason, it is worth remembering that the village forms part of the Ultzama Mycological Park and that a permit must be purchased in order to collect mushrooms.
This measure was adopted years ago to solve a problem of overexploitation and also to promote sustainable mushroom harvesting. In 2006, after an exceptional mushroom season, hundreds of vehicles packed the tracks for fifteen days, even preventing some residents from getting through with their tractors to reach their farmhouses. Regulation was then introduced. The Ultzama Town Council promotes the Park, to which the local councils of Alkotz, Arraitz, Auza, Eltso, Eltzaburu, Gerendiain, Iraizotz, Lizaso, Lozen, Gorrontz-Olano, Suarbe, Urritzola and Zenotz are attached.
A proposal:
Alkotz has countless tracks suitable for all levels. Perhaps for that reason it is a good idea to start the day with a visit to the Goshua factory, where delicious desserts are made and you can buy any of them.
After the visit, we recommend a circular route: Alkotz – Alkotz.
From the centre of the village, we follow the main road towards Arraitz.
After roughly 100 metres, the Ataketa track branches off to the left and takes us for about 5.5 kilometres to an area where we can park.
From here, we leave the track and walk along a path until we reach a hunters’ shelter next to some pigeon lofts, where we take the opportunity to “recharge”.
Passing in front of the shelter, a path leaves on the right. We continue through a chestnut forest until we reach a track that takes us back to Alkotz, where we bring today’s route to an end.
