Gorbea

Gorbea (Spanish pronunciation: [goɾˈβea]) or Gorbeia (Basque pronunciation: [gorβei.a]) is a mountain and massif in the Basque Country, Spain. It is the highest summit in Biscay and Álava, with a height of 1,482 metres (4,862 ft) above sea level. The massif covers a wide area between the two provinces. The main summit is a round grass-covered mountain crowned by a 17-metre-tall metallic cross. Historically, it was one of the five montes bocineros (horning mountains) of Biscay, from where meetings to the Juntas Generales of the Lordship of Biscay were announced.

To the north of the massif lies the karstic plateau of Itxina, an area full of shafts and caves such as Supelegor. The southern side of the mountain is less craggy, being covered by forests. Other notable mountains of the massif are Berretin to the south and the Lekanda and Aldamin limestone peaks to the north.

Since 1994, the whole massif has been part of the Gorbeia Natural Park, established to preserve the local beech and oak forests as well as the populations of wild boars and deer. Its status as the highest summit in two provinces and easy access have made it one of the most emblematic mountains in the Basque Country.

Its popularity among Basque mountaineers, who climb to its summit from all sides, has made it very popular. Its cross, which can be seen from almost every corner of the area, has become a symbol of reference. It is traditional to climb Gorbea on the last and first day of each year, with hundreds of people gathering at the summit to toast with champagne, cava or cider at the cross.

Next to the cross and the Virgin of Begoña, who looks out over Vizcaya, there is a post box where you can leave your mountain competition cards. The post box was installed in 1926 by Athletic Club.

On 14 June 1931, an orientation table was placed there, in the shape of a cylindrical prism 0.80 m in diameter and 1.18 m high, marking 106 mountains (covering mountains up to the central Pyrenees). The project was the brainchild of Lucio Lascaray, who began work on it in 1929. It was installed by the Vitoria mountaineering club. The design on the plaque is by Ángel Aguirre and it was made in the workshops of Puy de Dòme in France.