{"id":2330,"date":"2024-12-11T17:31:41","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T15:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingreenspain.es\/?p=2330"},"modified":"2024-12-30T13:34:19","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T11:34:19","slug":"2330","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingreenspain.es\/en\/2330\/","title":{"rendered":"Four mountains in Green Spain to say \u2018hello\u2019 to 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Of the many ways to welcome a new year (or bid farewell to the previous one), climbing to the top of a mountain is a formula that never disappoints. From above, with your body flooded with endorphins, the future always looks optimistic. It\u2019s no secret that Green Spain boasts many mountains. We\u2019ve selected four of them (and the towns that serve as their gateways) to make 2025 the greenest and most memorable year of all.<\/em><\/p>\n

Monte Pagasarri in Bilbao (Bizkaia)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What to see in Bilbao<\/strong><\/h3>\n

‘El botxo’ is the nickname used by locals to refer to Bilbao. Translated literally from Basque, it means something like \u2018hole\u2019 or \u2018pit.\u2019 This is a nod to the unique geography of a city nestled in the narrow valley of the Nervi\u00f3n River, flanked by two small mountain ranges. From the viewpoint on one of these peaks (like Mount Artxanda, accessible via a convenient funicular<\/a>), it\u2019s easy to understand Bilbao<\/a> and plan your visit. From the top, you can spot the Old Town watched over by the Arriaga Theater, glimpse the modern architecture along the riverbanks such as the Isozaki Towers or the Euskalduna Palace, and trace the route of Gran V\u00eda, the city\u2019s main commercial artery. Directly across from Artxanda, on the opposite bank of the Botxo, rises another iconic Bilbao mountain: the Pagasarri.<\/p>\n

How to climb Mount Pagasarri<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the great advantages of Pagasarri is that, living in Bilbao, you can forgo a car to reach its base: just a one-hour walk from Gran V\u00eda to the Igertu parking area. This accessibility, combined with the mountaineering tradition in the Basque Country, makes the mountain a popular spot, especially on weekends and on January 1st\u2014a symbolic date to greet the new year from its 673-meter height. The ascent is straightforward thanks to a network of wide forest trails crisscrossing the mountain. You can reach the summit by walking along these trails or through steeper connecting paths. Cyclists can also ascend using the well-compacted trails, though the inclines are steep for most of the route.<\/p>\n

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Picos de Europa National Park in Fuente D\u00e9 (Cantabria)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What to see in Fuente D\u00e9<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s hard to describe Fuente D\u00e9 with words because the landscape speaks for itself. It\u2019s a glacial cirque, but such a definition falls short. Driving through the valley, one doesn\u2019t expect to suddenly encounter a place like this: an immense curtain of limestone rocks embracing a fairytale-like valley, in the Cantabrian heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. A cable car\u2014the area\u2019s only significant human footprint\u2014transports visitors almost literally to the heavens.<\/p>\n

Fuente D\u00e9 is also the epic conclusion of an extraordinary adventure. It starts with the thrilling Hermida Gorge, pauses at Potes to explore its heritage (bridges, narrow streets, and towers) and sample Cantabrian delicacies, continues to the Santo Toribio Monastery (where the Lignum Crucis, the largest known fragment of Christ\u2019s cross, is kept), and culminates with the charming Mogrovejo.<\/p>\n

How to ascend the Picos de Europa<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Fuente D\u00e9 cable car is straightforward: in just four minutes, it bridges the gap between the valley and the cliffs, carrying visitors to an altitude of 1,823 meters. From there, the options are endless: spend hours enjoying the view from the Cable viewpoint while reflecting on what 2025 might bring, hike, cycle, or trail run across the \u00c1liva meadows, reach the \u00c1liva refuge hotel (open in spring and summer), or explore some of the certified short trails crisscrossing the park. In winter, it\u2019s essential to check the weather conditions and plan accordingly.<\/p>\n

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Monte O Pindo in O Pindo (A Coru\u00f1a)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What to see in O Pindo<\/strong><\/h3>\n

O Pindo is a tiny village nestled in an imposing natural setting surrounded by extraordinary sights. Within a few kilometers, you\u2019ll find not only the mountain<\/a> but also two unique landmarks:<\/p>\n