Anboto, Limestone summit in Urkiola Natural Park, Spain.
Anboto is a limestone summit in Urkiola Natural Park rising to 1,331 meters above sea level. Its steep north face drops roughly 1,000 meters down to the Atxondo valley below.
The rock layers contain fossils of prehistoric corals and large seashells, showing that the mountain formed from an ancient sea millions of years ago. These remains reveal what the area looked like in prehistoric times.
In Basque folklore, this mountain is the home of Mari, a deity appearing as a woman with golden hair or as nighttime fire. This figure remains central to local traditions and stories passed down through generations.
Several trails reach the summit, with the main route starting at Urkiolamendi pass near San Antonio sanctuary. Plan for roughly two hours of hiking to reach the top.
This mountain ranks as the fourth highest peak in Biscay yet holds the second position for prominence among all provincial peaks. This unusual distinction makes it stand out in the landscape despite its height.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
