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The centre of the
Park is formed by two estates, Pagoeta and Altzola, which
belong to the Provincial Council of Guipúzcoa. Other features
include the headwaters of the streams Manterola and Almizuri
and the foothills of Mount Pagoeta.
This area, situated between the coast and the inland valleys,
is characterised for its very rugged terrain, with dramatic
fluctuations in height. The Park has two main types of vegetation:
natural forests and scrubland. There are also extensive pastures
high up in the mountains and around the farmhouses. The areas
of reforestation are also important, especially those on the
left bank of the Altzolaras erreka.
Due to the existence of a wide variety of different habitats
on the Park, there are many different kinds of fauna. There
are several species included in the Catalogue of Threatened
Species of the Basque Country, such as the Egyptian vulture,
the grey dormouse, the honey buzzard and the short-toed eagle.
For several years, the estate belonging to the Provincial
Council has been operated like a Forestry Park in which a
large number of nature conservation and environmental courses
are given. There is a wide range of facilities, the most important
of which is the Iturraran reception centre, the hostel and
nature school, an apiary used for teaching purposes, an arboretum
with more than 1300 species, several recreational areas and
the old Agorregi ironworks. |
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