With an altitude of almost a thousand meters, a harsh climate, and completely uninhabited, this is what the highest village in the Basque Country looks like today. Once teeming with life, it has now become a symbol of solitude and intrigue for those seeking extraordinary routes. Despite its total abandonment, curious travelers continue to come here to witness how nature and time have transformed a once-inhabited place.
Amid the mountain ranges and dense forests of Euskal Herria, where new vistas unfold around every bend, the village of Iturrieta stands out not just for its height. Situated at 972 meters above sea level, it claims the absolute record for the region. The route leads here across the Opakua Pass, itself a challenge for any traveler. In fact, this very inaccessibility was one of the reasons why life here gradually faded away.
The history of disappearance
Iturrieta is more than just a point on the map. By the 16th century, there were already almost no permanent residents here—the harsh winters and remoteness from major roads made survival a real test. In the early twentieth century, an attempt to revive the village through an agricultural project brought hope for a new beginning. Potatoes were grown here and farm buildings were constructed, but even that couldn’t keep people from leaving. Over time, everything became deserted again, and now only the wind roams the empty streets.
Paradoxically, it is precisely its abandonment that has made Iturrieta a point of interest for tourists and researchers. Solitude seekers, photographers, and lovers of unusual routes come here to experience the atmosphere of a place where time seems to have stopped. There are no shops, cafes, or even permanent residents—only silence, mountains, and traces of the past.
Neighbors at altitude
Just a few kilometers from Iturrieta lies another unique settlement—Onraita (or Erroeta in Basque). Unlike its neighbor, people still live here. Onraita is considered the highest inhabited village in Euskal Herria: it sits at 962 meters above sea level. The village has just about twenty residents, yet it retains its traditional look and the authentic atmosphere of the Basque countryside.
Onraita’s main attraction is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, alongside historic houses that seem to transport visitors to the past. Here, there’s no hustle and bustle, and the surrounding landscapes amaze with their pristine beauty. For those seeking peace and a break from city life, this place becomes a real discovery.
High-altitude settlements
Iturrieta and Onraita are not the only mountain-top spots on the map of the Basque Country. In Gipuzkoa, the highest municipality is Bidania-Goiatz, standing at 485 meters above sea level. Its history traces back to the union of two villages in 1964, and the hills and forests surrounding it make this place a favorite among hiking enthusiasts.
In Biscay, the highest-altitude settlement is Ubide—a village on the border with Álava, located at over 600 meters above sea level. This place offers a sense of seclusion, and its proximity to the Urrunaga reservoir adds a special charm. Another noteworthy spot is Barrundia, where the main settlement Osaeta sits at around 575 meters. All these places share one thing: life here has never been easy, and that’s precisely what gives them their unique appeal.
Tourism and New Perspectives
Today, the abandoned and sparsely populated villages of the Basque Country are becoming magnets for those seeking to escape standard tourist routes. Here, you can not only enjoy nature but also feel the breath of history and witness how life changes at higher altitudes, where each day is a challenge. For local authorities, such places prompt new strategies for tourism development and the preservation of cultural heritage.
In recent years, interest in these settlements has only grown. New routes are emerging, excursions are organized, and enthusiasts are restoring old houses and farms. However, despite all these efforts, life has yet to return to Iturrieta. Perhaps this is what makes it unique—a reminder of how nature and time can reshape the fate of an entire village.
Iturrieta is more than just a spot on the map of Euskal Herria. It stands as a symbol of how altitude, climate, and history can shape the fate of people and entire communities. Today, visitors come here not for comfort, but for a sense of true freedom and silence rarely found elsewhere. For many, this place is a revelation; for others, it’s a reason to reflect on what it means to live at altitude, where every day is a struggle against nature and time.
Despite its abandonment, the village of Iturrieta continues to attract the attention of researchers and travelers. Its history mirrors that of many high mountain villages in Spain, where harsh conditions and isolation led to the disappearance of life. Today, Iturrieta is not just a geographical record, but also a unique monument to human resilience and the will to survive in the most challenging circumstances. For those seeking new routes and experiences, it is a true discovery; for locals, it remains part of the shared memory and cultural heritage of the region.
