Ttutturre

Overview

Ttutturre (or Urdenasko Ttutturre) is one of the highest summits in the eastern Malloas Ridge (the ridge linking most of the main summits of northeastern Aralar). In any case it’s one of the most visited mountains in the area, and there’s a good reason for such a high number of climbs: it’s got a fairly high summit, and there is no obstacle for a good panoramic view (as far as you choose a sunny day, that is…). The south side climb comes from the trailhead of Rasos de Albia, on the road from Lecumberri/Lekunberri to the Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar. That’s the first parking area you’ll find when driving up into the massif.
About the north side, that’s something different… climbs on that face of the Malloas Ridge usually mean having to climb about 1000 to 1100 meters from your starting point, a steeper terrain and (in winter time) an increased risk of avalanches. It’s your choice, but I would choose the south face for winter climbs (or those with unexperienced partners) and north face if you feel in good shape and want to do something more rewarding.

Getting There

Rasos de Albia: As I said before, the main trailhead for Ttutturre is the parking area placed at Rasos de Albia, on the 10km milestone of road NA-7510 between Lekunberri and San Miguel de Aralar. You’ll have to reach Lekunberri from Pamplona or San Sebastián by highway A-15, leaving it at anyone of the two exits signposted “Lekunberri” and keep on driving following the signs to Baraibar and San Miguel de Aralar.
For those who don’t have a car within easy reach, there’s a bus line (La Roncalesa, S.A.) covering regularly the trip between Pamplona and San Sebastián. Check the External links section for further information on this subject. The bad news is that this bus service will only take you up to Lekunberri. Additional transport (taxis, good-will bypassers, good-old hiking) will therefore be required to get to Rasos de Albia.
Alternative trailheads might be Baraibar (about 4 km away from Lekunberri, on the road to Rasos de Albia – all previous information is applied here) or Intza. Intza is a small village placed on the north side of Ttutturre, and the starting point for the most tasty and Alpine-like climb to the summit. A drive from Lekunberri to Intza must go via the Col of Azpiroz (Puerto de Azpiroz / Azpirotz Gaina) and road N-130. Take the north exit of Lekunberri and follow the road signs to Tolosa. When you reach Betelu (11 km after Lekunberri), turn left for 2 additional km on road NA-7513 to get to Intza
The closest train stations for anyone of these trailheads are placed at San Sebastián/ Donostia (48 km to Lekunberri) or Pamplona (34 km). The nearest airports are placed at Pamplona/Noain (44 km), Fuenterrabía/Hondarribia (68 km) or Vitoria-Gasteiz/Foronda (93 km)

Red Tape

The Sierra de Aralar is legally protected as a natural space. The sector of the Sierra placed at the province of Gipuzkoa has already been declared a Natural Park, and the part in Navarra is a Community Important Area (Lugar de Importancia Comunitaria - LIC) and included in the european network Natura 2000

Camping

Camping is forbidden in the Sierra de Aralar, but there are plenty of lodging options in the villages around the area. Bed&Breakfast, country hostels, hotels, and even an "official" (that means "paying") camping site at Lekunberri. Check the "External links" section

External Links

Mendikat: Full spanish language info on Ttutturre, including (for registered users) GPS waypoints
Camping Aralar: Web page of the paying camping site at Lekunberri/Lecumberri. English version available

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Images

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