The Izki Natural Park is a large forest mosaic in the southeast of Alava, dominated by the marojo or melojo oak, with beech, gall oak, kermes oak, alder, limestone ravines and small wetlands. Its extension is around 9,000-9,500 hectares and it is part of the Natura 2000 Network, with a remarkable ecological value due to the continuity of its forests and the diversity of habitats it shelters. From its trails you can appreciate above all a very closed inland landscape, of gentle hills, cuts and valleys, more interesting for the texture of the forest and wildlife than for great panoramic views. It is a particularly good destination for bird watching and to recognize a rural environment little transformed, with a culture linked to the traditional use of the forest. Izki was declared a natural park in 1998 and its interpretation center is in Korres, the only inhabited nucleus within the protected area. The offer of signposted trails makes it possible to visit it on foot, by bicycle or on horseback, which is why it appears frequently in nature guides of the Basque Country and in sustainable tourism resources. The best time to visit is usually spring and autumn: in spring the forest is more alive and in autumn the colors of the oak and beech forests stand out. On clear days, the early morning or late afternoon light helps to better read the relief and structure of the forest.
