The Otzarreta Beech Forest is a forest of pollarded beech trees located within the Gorbeia Natural Park, on the Biscayan side, at an elevation of 606 meters at the Barazar Pass. Physically, it is a small area with approximately one hundred century-old trees whose twisted branches—the result of the old charcoal-burning practice—create a landscape that evokes Basque mythology. The forest is located on the border between the provinces of Biscay and Álava, in the town of Zeanuri, in the Arratia Valley. From the visitor center, visitors step into an atmosphere of peace and fantasy, where the mist generated by the area’s humidity envelops the beech trees, making this beech forest one of the most photographed in the Basque Country. The unique shape of its branches, combined with the constant mist, transforms the forest into an enchanted setting that exudes magic and charm. It is an ideal place to connect with nature in its purest form. The Otzarreta Beech Forest is known as the “enchanted forest” of the Basque Country and is featured in travel guides as one of the park’s most spectacular sites. Its historical significance is linked to the charcoal burners who used these beech trees to make charcoal, a practice that transformed the forest into a pollarded beech forest. The best time to visit is in the fall, preferably on a weekday, and first thing in the morning to catch the fog, which adds an extra element to the experience and makes for great photos.
