Route of Salinas de Añana and the lake of Caicedo Yuso.

Route of Salinas de Añana and the lake of Caicedo Yuso, the best views of the Salt Valley.

The route of Salinas de Añana and the lake of Caicedo Yuso invites us to enjoy one of the best views of the Salt Valley. An impressive saline landscape, which attracts the attention of everyone who visits it. And is that, immersed in the process of recovery, the Salt Valley of Salinas de Añana gives us a picture postcard. A space that perfectly represents the historical salt industry of Euskadi. Eras, wells and salt canals work 365 days a year taking advantage of the rich waters of the Muera river. A space worth seeing. You should know that, in addition to the possibility of guided tours of the interior of the Salt Valley, there is also a route that runs completely around this space. It is the Green Route of the Salt Valley of Salinas de Añana, a circular route and of familiar character, which invites us to know this environment so striking and different. In our case, we wanted to merge this impressive but short route through the Salt Valley with the route that takes us to the Caicedo Yuso Lake. This is how we have managed to obtain one of the most complete and interesting routes of Salinas de Añana (SL – A 35). We recommend that you read carefully the whole article and decide if you want to make the route that we propose or only the Green Route of the Salt Valley of Salinas de Añana. The last word, as always, is yours. The route that we propose takes us to contemplate the plurality of this land. To go from a landscape bleached by salt, to a golden horizon created by the cereal fields and a natural lake, is curious to say the least. A place that contrasts sharply with the intense greens found in other areas of Euskal Herria. During this article, we will try to describe in detail each of the aspects that surround this route. If you have any questions or suggestions, we remind you that you can use the comments system that you will find at the end of these lines to send them to us. We will try to respond as soon as possible.

The Añana Salt Valley holds within it centuries of history. In this sense, we must pay a tribute to the salt workers, a trade that has helped to create a landscape that has turned the municipality of Salinas de Añana into a reference in terms of tourism in the Basque Country.

Green Route of the Salinas de Añana Salt Valley.

The Green Route of the Salt Valley of Salinas de Añana, Gesaltza Añanako Gatz Haraneko Ibilbide verdea in Basque, is a pleasant, circular and short route that takes us to completely surround this ancient salt production of Araba. A tour of about 30 minutes (3 kilometers), which leads us to walk along the different slopes that shape the valley. A perfect route for those who want to visit the Salt Valley and do some sport. This route begins in the village of Salinas de Añana, on the road, opposite the entrance to the Salt Valley. From here, we must head to the Monastery of San Juan de Arce, up the road. You should know that there is also the possibility of leaving our vehicle completely free of charge in the parking lot that we find next to this religious temple. An option that we decided to discard to leave the car inside the city center and thus have an excuse to explore its streets. The present church, dating from the end of the 15th century, is a worthy successor of the 13th century structure that once stood in its place. A small architectural jewel, which became part of the historic Order of Malta (note the Maltese cross that appears at the top of the entrance). Once at this point, we find different panels that perfectly indicate the route that we present today. We continue along the path that runs parallel to the monastery, we come into contact with nature. We recommend that you enjoy each of the viewpoints that you will find on your right, they are a luxury. We descend along a path bounded by a forest and a stone wall to a junction. It is here, where we must decide if we make the complete route or only the return to the Valle Salado. In case of opting for the second option, we must take the path to the right, we continue descending until we reach the Las Mueras river. We came directly to the salt flats. And, if so far we had the chance to enjoy them from the different viewpoints that we found along the way, now we can practically touch them. We follow the road again gaining altitude, we again have a luxurious perspective. Impressive. The route has no loss. It is as easy as following the perimeter route of the Salt Valley. The salt flats are always on our right. In the final stretch, just before entering again in Salinas de Añana, the route literally enters between the salt threshing floors. It is here, where we have the possibility of checking the impressive salinity of this river. Mind-blowing. We arrive at the village church, Santa María de Villacones, a structure, which puts an end to this brief tour of Salinas de Añana. It is time to return to the point where we have left our vehicle.

Caicedo Yuso lake route.

If the Green Route of the Salt Valley of Salinas de Añana is not enough for you, we recommend that you do the same approach that we did, adding to this route the circular route of the lake of Caicedo Yuso. In case you want to opt for this option, you must follow the route mentioned in the previous section with the exception of taking the detour to the left at the first junction we found after visiting the Monastery of San Juan de Arce. Once we leave this junction behind, we continue along a grass and dirt road that leads us directly to what is a large forest track. There we find a vertical sign indicating the way to follow, we fork again, this time to the right. We follow this path until we find a sign indicating the way to the lake of Caicedo Yuso, we turn left. We leave aside the forest track and we get into a narrow path that goes into a forest of the most interesting. We leave the forest and we meet again with the forest track and a vertical sign, we follow the signs to the lake of Caicedo Yuso, straight ahead. It is at this same junction where we will return after a small circular route that leads us to know Caicedo Yuso and the hermitage of Our Lady the Virgin of the Lake. Once on the shore, we must use a narrow and somewhat slippery path that runs along this sheet of water. After going around three quarters of the lake, we reach a little-traveled road that takes us to a crossroads where we find the chapel and an archaeological site. Very important, the signage of the hermitage was broken when we made this route, we recommend that you be guided by our photos to identify the hermitage (very simple building that goes unnoticed). Once at the hermitage, you must leave this structure behind you, retrace your steps back to the crossroads and continue straight ahead. We return to the forest, we finish the circular route. From this point, there is no way to get lost. It is as simple as following the route in the opposite direction. If you have followed the directions correctly, you will come out again to the Salinas de Añana Salt Valley Green Route, from where you just have to turn left and follow the road until you reach the village.

Caicedo Yuso Lake.

The Caicedo Yuso Lake is included as a Wetland of International Interest in the Ramsar Convention and is an important part of the Natura 2000 Network. It is the only permanent natural lake in the Basque Country and one of the deepest lakes in Europe. The route along the right bank of this lake reminded us a lot of our route through the Irati Forest, where the Irabia reservoir draws a path of similar characteristics.

Salinas de Añana Salt Valley.

The Salt Valley of Salinas de Añana, in Basque, Gesaltza Añanako Gatz Harana, is one of the most interesting areas of Araba. The river La Muera, the great culprit of this success, continues to irrigate the terraces and threshing floors of this valley with its waters. An extensive network of wooden canals, wells and threshing floors, essential for the production of our beloved salt. The Salt Valley has been classified as a “Cultural Asset with the category of Monumental Ensemble”, a qualification that attests to the great value it keeps inside.

Where to eat near Salinas de Añana.

Over the years, there have been several restaurants where we have been lucky enough to eat near the Salt Valley. But without a doubt, one of the ones we have liked the most, has been the restaurant La Era. An establishment with a lot of charm, where they take care of every detail of their culinary creations. A place to take into account when looking for a restaurant in Salinas de Añana and surroundings. If you want more information, we recommend you to read our article: Taberna La Era, good, nice, cheap and with history. We are sure you will like their gastronomic proposals.

Where to park in Salinas de Añana.

There are 2 possibilities. Both as valid as practical: Parking enabled inside the village or the parking enabled next to the Monastery of San Juan de Acre. The first has toilets and fountains where we can prepare for the route, the second does not have these facilities, but it is usually quieter. In our opinion, the best option is to leave our vehicle in the new parking that has been enabled inside the village. In addition to being a perfect excuse to explore the streets of this town in Alava, it is also perfect to find a place to recharge your batteries. Of course, in high season, it is common for these parking lots to be overflowing, so you should look for alternatives such as parking next to the viewpoints of the Salt Valley, along the road through the village.

Salinas de Añana.

Salinas de Añana is the oldest town in Araba. A fact that we can verify by visiting historical places such as the Royal Monastery of San Juan de Acre or the Salt Valley itself. The different palatial houses that we find among these streets endow this town with a certain medieval aroma. A very special essence.

What to see near Salinas de Añana.

Although the main attraction of Salinas de Añana is in the Salt Valley and its famous salt, we must point out that it is not the only place of interest that we find in the area. Here is a brief summary of other attractions that we recommend you to visit in the vicinity.

As you have seen, the route of Salinas de Añana and Lake Caicedo – Yuso is a great option for those who want to enjoy incredible views of the Salt Valley. A family route of great beauty, which we recommend you to enjoy with your eyes closed.