- Hernio
Infobox Mountain
Name = Hernio
Photo = Hernio cumbre.jpg
Caption = Final stretch to the top of Hernio
Elevation = 1,075metre s (3,526.90 ft)
Location =Gipuzkoa ,Spain
Range =Basque mountains
Coordinates = 43º10'16.99" N 2º09'05.69"
Topographic
First ascent =
Easiest route = FromIturriotz
Translation =
Language = Basque
Pronunciation = 'ernjoHernio (IPA: ['ernjo] , spelled "Ernio" too) is an iconic summit in the Basque Country very popular with the
Gipuzkoa ns and located right at the heart of the province. The peak is the highest point of a massif extending north-west to south-east, the summit rising by the pass of "Zelatun". Neighbouring summits lined up NW to SE at the range are mountGazume (997 m) standing west across the summit and mountHerniozabal (1,010 m) closing the range east at the rear. The villages lying at the feet of the mount areErrezil (SW),Alkiza (NE) andAsteasu (N). The summit of Hernio affords to the NW a beautiful view overAzpeitia and the stone bulk ofIzarraitz towering over the town.Access points
As a popular destination for hikers and locals, Hernio may be reached through various trails setting out from different points.
Iturriotz
Iturriotz (580 m, the spot is reached through a road up setting out at Andatzarrate -road GI-2631-) is a former country inn, where according to historic accounts
Ignatius of Loyola stayed overnight on his journey home fromParis in April 1535. [cite book | author = Federación Gipuzkoana de Montaña | year = 1997 | title = "Por la ruta de la transhumancia de San Sebastián a Aránzazu" | publisher = Editorial Txertoa | city: San Sebastian | isbn = 84-7148-336-X | pages = p. 36] A trail goes up and gains height along the stream Zelatun until the pass of the same name is reached (841 m). At the pass, a cluster of huts are found, and a beaten trail up must be taken on the left that cuts across the side of Hernio. The trail heading south-east, after a long slope is overcome, a couple of zigzags on pebbled soil lead to the top of the mountain. The way up takes 1h30 and back.Alkiza
Starting from the road entering Alkiza (344 m high) from the south-west (GI-3630), a concrete track splits off on the left and leaves the houses behind. After a zigzag, a hiking trail heads up south-west along a fence and penetrates in a forest. The route (PR GI-78), shrouded in vegetation, is marked all along on rocks, signposts and trees, with a general direction west running along the mountain range (left). At the final stage before the pass of "Zelatun", the path cuts across a clear landscape on a sloping terrain. From Zelatun, the final stretch as explained above. It takes some 2h30 to the peak and back. [cite web | url = http://www.tolosaldea.net/tour/index.php?id_saila=99&id_aita=97&id_edukia=215&lang=en | title = PR-Gi 78 - Alkiza-Hirumugarrieta-Zelatun (Alkiza) | publisher = Tolosaldea Garatzen | accessdate = 2008-08-20]
Errezil
The village lies right at the foot of the mount and therefore stands close to it. Yet this may be the hardest approach on account of its steep ascent. A dust track winds up from the road (GI-2634) to the very pass of "Zelatun", so pick-ups and other SUV vehicles may be found at this spot, sometimes belonging to hunters. The ascent takes roughly 1h45 and back.
Landscape and human presence
Forest abounds in the massif, with various kinds of trees. In the course of the last century
Monterrey pine andlarch tree have gained ground at the expense of other autochthonous species. On the north face of the mountain range, beech forests cover the steep terrain. In addition, oak andchestnut tree patches may be found, with somebirch trees few and far between. There are some grasslands especially at the north-west, at "Zelatun" and around. Actually, for centuries the pass has borne witness to seasonal migration of cattle from Aralar and evenUrbasa to coastal pastures.The massif has been inhabited for millennia, as attested in the grotto of "
Altxerri ", where in 1962 wall paintings and rock carvings depictingbison , horses, reindeer, fish and other animals were unearthed. [cite web | url = http://www.ingeba.euskalnet.net/liburua/ludicos/ludic18.htm | title = 18 Macizo de Ernio | publisher = Ingeba | accessdate = 2008-08-27 Article in Spanish]Tradition and events
* Not long ago, local scholars and folk accounts held rather romantically that heroic battles took place at "Zelatun" in Roman times between their army and the
Cantabri . On the other hand, this assumption has been disputed by modern history, pinpointing such battle farther west, somewhere inCantabria . [cite web | url = http://www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/zainak/26/26481521.pdf | title = El monte de las romerías. Ernio y la polisemia de sus rituales | publisher = EuskoMedia Fundazioa | pages = p. 485 | accessdate = 2008-08-19 Site in Spanish] It is no surprise that legend traces the name of the village at the foot,Errezil , to the phrase "errez hil", '(Romans) died easy', afolk etymology .
* The San Joan hermitage lies beside the building of "Iturriotz" (see above), where a festivity in honour of the saint is held on the 24 June. In local lore, the water springing out of its walls cures scabies and ringworm. [cite book | author = Federación Gipuzkoana de Montaña | year = 1997 | title = "Por la ruta de la transhumancia de San Sebastián a Aránzazu" | publisher = Editorial Txertoa | city: San Sebastian | isbn = 84-7148-336-X | pages = p. 36]
* Hernio is renown for its popular pilgrimages of September, held every Sunday of the month. The last Sunday is the most attended one, with a steady trail of people of all ages following the path to the top. The summit is covered with small crosses shrouded in beliefs, small memorials and a mountaineer postbox. Before the last attempt to the peak, metallic rings hanging from a cross may be grabbed and slid around whatever part of the body suffers a disease so as to heal it. At the fields of "Zelatun" a celebration steeped in music, dance and cheerful atmosphere takes place all day long.
* Since the early 2000s, hundreds turn out for the collective hike looping around the wholemountain range of Hernio. The event, called "Erniopeko Martxa", is held in spring, with the walk starting early in the morning (inAlkiza in 2008). The route, stretching for 48,6 km, crosses 8 villages surrounding the massif. Alternatively, another route provides a shorter approach through a short-cut that splits up the route in two.References
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