Maroño reservoir, a perfect natural space to spend the day with the family.
The Maroño reservoir is one of the many natural jewels of the province of Araba. A sheet of water located at the foot of Sierra Salvada, which stands out for its scenic beauty. It is also known for being one of the most important water resources in the north of the province. And we must remember that it supplies the neighboring towns of the Ayala quadrille (Aiarako Kuadrilla or Aiaraldea in Basque). Do you dare to visit the Maroño reservoir with us?
Information on the Maroño reservoir.
- Reservation center: Here.
- Attractions: Nature, hiking and fishing.
- Location: Maroño reservoir, Ayala Valley, Araba.
Route to the Maroño reservoir.
Although many platforms recommend the circular route of the Maroño reservoir, we believe it is irresponsible. And it is that 80% of the 3.5 kilometers that make up this route must be done by the road itself. A dangerous route, which is not worth the trouble. The only walk that we recommend you to do is the one that joins the Letobarri park with the dam. A route along the right bank of the reservoir, which has been recently conditioned. There are also different routes through Sierra Salvada.
Video.
As usual in all our publications, we have created a short video with which we intend to show you the Maroño reservoir as real as possible. We hope it will be helpful. If you like this kind of videos, we encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel to discover all the places and experiences that we recommend in Euskal Herria. We are waiting for you!
History.
After the drought that shook Laudio and its surroundings in the 80’s, it was decided to build this reservoir to alleviate the water limitations they suffered. After 4 years of work, it was officially inaugurated on July 27, 1992. Under the waters were 20 hectares and all the buildings that existed: 4 mills and 2 houses. At present, besides being one of the strategic spaces of the Ayala Valley, it has also become one of the great leisure spaces of the area.
Sierra Salvada.
The silhouette of the Sierra Salvada massif, Gorobel mendilerroa in Basque, is one of the most iconic in the Basque Country. An immense stone wall more than 25 km long, which serves as a backdrop to one of the most emblematic postcards of the Ayala Valley. Thanks to the green pastures and valleys that we find at the foot of its impressive rock wall of more than 300 meters high, we can enjoy a truly impressive landscape. This karstic colossus has more than 300 caves. Among its most emblematic peaks are Tologorri, Ungino or Eskutxi (1,185m).
Best time to visit Maroño.
The Maroño reservoir is not one of the most popular places in the Basque Country. In fact, it is difficult to see it full of people even in summer. That said, we recommend you to enjoy Maroño at any time of the year. And regardless of the date you visit Maroño, we are sure that the reservoir, forests and mountains will offer you an incredible landscape.
Recreational area.
The recreational area of the Maroño reservoir, also known as Letobarri Park, is the most visited space. A place located on the banks of the reservoir itself, where tables, benches and barbecues attract all those families looking to spend the day in nature. Unfortunately, this area only has 4 tables, so it is difficult to find available tables. We must remember that from this same place we have a great perspective of the reservoir and nearby peaks such as Tologorri or Ungino. On the other hand, we must emphasize that there are no toilets.
Photography courses.
The incredible scenery offered by the Maroño reservoir and the Sierra Salvada are perfect for photography lovers. In fact, we offer photographic outings throughout the year. A perfect option for groups who want to take landscape photography courses. During this workshop we will have the presence of a professional photographer who will advise us at all times. Surely the reflections of the water and the Sierra Salvada as a backdrop will offer us a spectacular experience. If you are interested in this option we encourage you to contact us so we can send you a personalized quote.
Fishing in the Maroño reservoir.
The entire perimeter of the Maroño reservoir is considered a free stretch for cyprinid fishing. In fact, Maroño is known for pike(Esox Lucius) and black bass(Micropterus salmoides) fishing. Trout, barbel and common carp have also been found. In any case, these species are not abundant and their size is usually smaller than desired. We should mention that between March and September there is a lot of activity near the tail of the reservoir. On the other hand, fishing in the Maroño reservoir extends to the Izoria river.
Fauna and flora.
In addition to the aforementioned pike(Esox Lucius) and black bass(Micropterus salmoides), we must add the more than 56 waterfowl that have been catalogued. The Maroño reservoir is a strategic area for bird migration. In fact, it is catalogued as a SPA (Special Protection Area for Birds).
How to get there.
Public transport is not the best option to reach the Maroño reservoir. And the only existing transport is the one that connects the towns of the region itself. If you want to visit the Maroño reservoir from cities like Bilbao, Donostia San Sebastian or Vitoria Gasteiz, we recommend you to do it by private transport. If you want to get to Maroño from Vitoria Gasteiz, we recommend you to use the AP-68, A-624 and N-622. On the contrary, if we do it from Bilbao, we recommend you to use the AP-68 and the A-625.
Where to park.
The Maroño reservoir does not have large parking spaces. In fact, we can say that it has less than 10 parking spaces. For this reason, we recommend you to get up early so as not to have space problems. Especially on weekends and high season. All parking spaces are strategically located next to the dam (on the road itself) and the recreational area (at the entrance).
What to see nearby.
Near the Maroño reservoir we find a good number of places to see and enjoy. We leave you a short list of the places that we recommend you to enjoy in the north of the province of Araba and surroundings.
Hiking.
In the vicinity of the Maroño reservoir there are several family routes. In fact, some of them are the most demanded of our territory. Remember that you can extend this information with the reading of our article of the routes with children of Euskadi. We leave you some examples.
Frequently Asked Questions.
We leave you a short list with some of the most frequently asked questions about the Maroño reservoir. We also leave you some tips. Remember that you can use the comment system of this article to ask us any questions you may have.
- Can we swim in the Maroño reservoir? No.
- Is it possible to build a fire in the Maroño reservoir? Yes, as long as it is carried out in the existing barbecues in the park and there is no rule that contradicts it.
- Are there any access restrictions to the reservoir? Access to the reservoir park is free.
- Can I visit the Maroño reservoir with children? Yes. In fact, the park, its tables and barbecues are ideal for a family day out.
- Can people with reduced mobility access the picnic area? Yes, as long as it is not the rainy season. Since mud can hinder wheelchair access.
- Is there a bar near Maroño Park? No, the only existing bar is located in the upper part of the urban center.
As you have been able to see, the Maroño reservoir represents a great option for all those people who want to enjoy nature and escape from the daily routine. We encourage you to use the comment system below to send us your doubts and opinions. Ondo pasa!
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