That is Rural Paradise: meadows, forests, hills, peaks, rocks, valleys, tablelands and mountain ranges stretching across two spectacular natural parks. Aizkorri-Aratz, the roof of Euskadi, is accessible from the town of Zegama. Here is where you'll find the highest peak in the Basque Country, Aizkorri (1525 metres), and the best vantage point with views over the entire territory. The other park is Aralar, with the majestic Mt Txindoki (1033 metres), the most recognized mountain in Gipuzkoa.

Rural Paradise is probably the area where the essence of Basque culture has been best preserved. It's most likely the mountainous terrain that has kept the Basque language (Euskera, the oldest in Europe), customs and rural lifestyle strong generation after generation. This is the perfect destination to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of modern-day life, a chance to settle into a green paradise where you watch the sheep grazing, chat with the local farmers or get your hands dirty making bread or cheese.

This area is like a giant supermarket of season-fresh ingredients. The fertile gardens around every corner provide the highest quality fruits and vegetables, the livestock that graze peacefully in the fields make for the tastiest meat, and the farmhouses have used the same recipes for centuries to give us traditional cheese, desserts, bread, cider, paté, honey and other natural products. The best way to see it all in one place is at the Tolosa market (Saturdays) and the Ordizia market (Wednesdays). And for the more curious visitor, several food-related museums are also located in the area, including D'elikatuz, the Idiazabal Cheese Interpretation Centre and in Tolosa, the Gorrotxategi Museum.

Stroll, walk or run – take your choice, as long as it's in the mountains! You're in the perfect place. There's an endless number of well-signposted trails leading from one mountain range to another, as well as long-distance trails for the more ambitious trekker. There are also several flatter more accessible walks that skirt the mountains. The area even has the first mountain bike trail station in Spain. You'll find trails for every level, so lace up your boots and head to the hills!Iron and concrete were the main elements used by these two universal figures in a region where industry and machine tooling have been the economic bedrock for centuries.