The ancient oak of Arraiz Orkin

The oak that has been looking out over the valley for centuries

In the meadows of the Orkin neighbourhood, an old pollarded oak stands tall amongst the grass, its size impossible to overlook. Its trunk, roots and large, sloping crown bear the marks of the centuries and serve as a reminder of the role these trees played in the area’s traditional pastoral landscapes.

The surroundings are simple and open: meadows, small copses of deciduous trees and Atlantic scrub accompany the tree without detracting from its prominence. As the seasons change, so too does its appearance. The lush foliage of the warmer months gives way in winter to a structure of branches and wood, through which the complexity of this specimen can be better appreciated.

The Millennial Oak of Arraiz-Orkin – general information

The Millennial Oak of Arraiz-Orkin, listed as Natural Monument MN.43 since 2009, is an oak (Quercus robur) situated in a meadow in the Orkin neighbourhood, within the municipal boundaries of Arraitz-Orkin, in the Ultzama Valley.

Its dimensions account for much of its uniqueness. It stands 13.80 metres tall and its crown covers an area of approximately 23 by 20 metres. The base features thick ridges and shallow roots that form small hollows in the ground, with a perimeter of around 10 metres. The trunk has a diameter of 2.66 metres at a height of 1.30 metres.

About five metres above the ground, there is also a natural hollow measuring around one metre in diameter. The tree as a whole displays the characteristic features of a pollarded tree and the changes its wood has undergone over time.

How to get to the Millennial Oak of Arraiz Orkin?

Access is via the hamlet of Orkin, in the municipality of Arraitz-Orkin. From the N-121-A, take the turn-off for the Ultzama Valley and continue on to Orkin. The hamlet has a car park with an information board. From there, a signposted path of 1.4 kilometres begins, leading on foot to the meadow where the oak stands. The route is flat and easy.

What is there to see at the Millennial Oak of Arraiz Orkin?

A visit offers the chance to get up close to an exceptional specimen of a pollarded oak and to discover the rural landscape in which it has grown for centuries.

• The trunk and roots: Its immense size, the ridges at the base, the surface roots, the gnarled texture of the wood and the natural hollow in the trunk are some of its most distinctive features.
• The oak’s crown: Spanning 23 by 20 metres, the crown stands out particularly when the tree is in full leaf, allowing visitors to appreciate its monumental stature.
• The Ultzama countryside: The oak stands in an open meadow surrounded by copses of oak and Atlantic scrub, a landscape linked to the valley’s traditional uses.
• The path to the tree: A 1.4-kilometre signposted path starts from the Orkin car park, featuring information on the conservation of remarkable trees.