Elgea-Artia

Virtual visit: (flv, 14 MB)

It's not easy to go around this extensive megalithic site by departing from one point, or in a single day. Hence we shall divide it into convenient sections and indicate the easiest access points for each group of megaliths.

To visit the most easterly megaliths on the site we can depart from Aranzazu or from the Alavese hamlet of Larrea.

If we depart from Aranzazu we shall have to take the path that runs between the crags of Aitzabal and Bildotza. Leaving the hamlet of this name on our left, we have to walk upwards, making for Artaso Hill. Some 400 metres before this hill, to the NNW of it, and some 10 metres to the left of the path, in a beech coppice, is the Gallerdi tumulus.

Advancing from here 400 metres south-south-eastwards, towards Artaso, 5 metres to the right of the path and next to the Artaso txabolas, surrounded by beech trees, is the Artaso dolmen.

Walking uphill from here towards the south, towards the Cantabria-Mediterranean watershed formed by the Elgea mountain chain, we come to the Gainlabur Pass. Here, in Alavese territory stands the Gainlabur or Artia dolmen.

Heading westwards from here, following the watershed just mentioned, at 2.5 kilometres, on the summit of Zekillaga, stands the Mugarriaundi menhir. It's lying on the ground, right on the watershed and on the boundary between Gipuzkoa and Araba.

To get to the megaliths in the central area of the Elgea site it's best to go up from the Alavese locality of Elgea. From here one can take the road that goes up to the communications aerial. From here, head east-south-eastwards to the Alabitarte Pass, where the Alabitarte tumulus is located, at the edge of the path.

From it you have to walk uphill towards the south to the top of Mugarriluze, where the Mugarriluze menhir stands in the upright position. This summit is situated some 650 metres from the Alabitarte tumulus.

To visit the Deguria tumuli you have to return to Alabitarte and continue northwards. The Deguria I and II tumuli are situated at 1 km. First you come to Deguria I; and 50 metres farther on to the north, to Deguria II.

When you begin your descent to the hamlet of Elgea, on the right-hand side of the road, when you're still at an altitude of about 870 metres, you can see from the road the signs identifying the Elgea II tumulus. 1,200 metres to the south, Elgea I is located.