salt valley

DominicDeBurca

Unless you had read a little bit about this place in advance, you would probably drive right past it without realising exactly what it was or what was going on there as it look a bit of an eyesore to be honest. This is largely due to the ill-advised building of concrete-based evaporation pans/pits that were constructed some years ago to replace their original wooden predecessors but little did they know about the corrosive effects of high salinity on concrete. It has unfortunately left a bit of a mess in its wake but if you can get over that fact and the visual consequence of it, then this is an excursion well worth undertaking. Most of the best gourmet restaurants in San Sebastian — and thus, by extension, the world — get their salt from this place and you can see where each restaurant has its own individual salt pan so that their own supply gets set aside for them. You can also buy the finished product on site. Worth a detour!

Landanguy

Did not know of it, didn't come here for it, didn't expect something like this here, but I loved it. I liked to see how they are trying to maintain the salt valley and the ride to the valley was beautiful.

butgighung

We were late for the pre-booked tour but the staff were so helpful to organize another tour for us. Though it was shorter, it's very personal. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. We learned a lot of about the history of the place and its production system. Glad to see the salt valley is now recovering and humans are not wasting natural resources.

PhilippeV601

Salt comes from the sea, or from mines. Unless... a couple of helpful little streams of water take salt that has been left, deep down, millions of years ago, with them, thus transforming themselves in the "salmuera" that flows into the valley, giving it its name of "Salado", "salted". Top notch, pure and tasty salt... that, quantitywise and pricewise, couldn't compete anymore with other types of salt winning from halfway the twentieth century on... Those magnificent, impressive but maintenance asking constructions of wood and clay (metal would corrode very quickly) were crumbling, when the recuperation was started, along two main axes: paid visits to a monument, and high quality of the salt, produced the traditional way. A bunch of top chiefs have been associated to the project as well, and a big chunk of work has been done already! Coupled to the drive of a passionate guide, the visit was one of those that make you come back, or at least plan to do so. Near Vitoria-Gasteiz, it's quite easy to find, especially when driving on the AP-68 that goes from Logroño to Bilbao: the exit for Pobes brings you at the door of the valley.

Barmag

This may sound dull and unexciting, but do come and take a look if you're anywhere nearby. They have friendly guides who speak English, even if tours in English are only available at certain times. Nice modern gift shop as well, plus a chance to bathe your aching feet in a salt pool. Educational and fun at the same time! They have applied for Unesco World Heritage status, so come and take a look before the crowds start arriving! Parking is a bit limited.

FernandaAsh

This place is fantastic! Such an interesting project that deserves a visit! We had the tour that lasted for about 1 hours which was very interesting to hear and understand how the salt in that region is made and how this project is trying to keep alive the importance of this area.It is really cheap to go and see only about 5 euros/person and you get to immerse you feet and hands in the mini salt spa they have there too.The guides are very knowledgeable and friendly!Parking facilities is inexistent so you will have to find a place in the village to park - although is not very hard to find a parking spot. There is practically no shade so... in a hot day a hat and loads of sun cream is welcomed.And if you're looking for food afterwards - avoid the swimming pool club as it is place where the waitress will turn your business down as she can't be bothered to serve more than a certain number of people.The project is still in developing stage but it is still worth a visit and we will definitely go back when it is finalised!

AitorDelgado

This valley is really a unknown hotspot. Is a salt production area and nowadays they are doing visits explaining how did they work and also allowing you to introduce your feet after your exhausting tourist tour...

125Patricia55

Me encanto el sitio, la visita guiada donde lo explican con todo detalle. Es muy bonito además de muy interesante. Además recomiendo comprar sal en la tienda porque es un producto de calidad.

609ramong

Visita interesante donde se aúna tradición, modernidad y sostenibilidad. Explicaciones buenas para un proyecto comunitario con buenas perspectivas

javivi37

Es verdaderamente un lugar precioso, aunque todavía es más sorprendente. Aprender, pasear, interactuar, son algunas de las cosas que ofrece este curioso paraje. Todo un entorno creado en base a la sal. En verano también conviene tomar precauciones con la temperatura y la hora de la visita ya que es completamente al aire libre. Varios itinerarios con guías más que documentadas y con lo más importante, la mejor de las predisposiciones. Ha sido ya mi tercera visita y desde luego no ha sido la última ya que me gusta compartir con familiares y amigos de más lejos esta excursión. Precio más que razonable y con posibilidad de descuentos a determinados colectivos. Posibilidad de comprar muchas variedades de sal muy cotizadas en la alta cocina. No se puede pasar por la zona y saltarse esta visita, es muy recomendable.

79lur

La visita dura aproximadamente una hora y es muy interesante. La guía que nos atendió, era muy agradable, su exposición fue amena y daba la impresión de tener muchos conocimientos sobre la materia, contestando amablemente a todas nuestras preguntas. Si se va en invierno, hay que ir bien abrigado, ya que toda la visita transcurre al aire libre. Recomiendo también aprovechar para dar un paseo por el pueblo. Es pequeñito, cuesta 10 minutos y tiene su encanto, con las calles empedradas...nos gustó.

jesgolo

Caminar por los alrededores,mirar detenidamente las terrazas de salinización,enterarme de las ventajas de la sal de Añana.Como a todos,lo dificil que es aparcar, no me gustó.

matcu

A pesar del frío y niebla me resultó muy agradable el paseo de una hora por el valle. La guía lo explicó de forma correcta, ayudada de un cuaderno con imágenes que ilustraban el paso de los años por el valle. Es un lugar muy interesante, y me alegro que lo estén conservando haciendo el trabajo como hace años. El turismo es un complemento muy bueno para el lugar. Elegimos la opción de visita de 1 hora, me hubiera gustado ver los manantiales también, pero el horario no me cuadraba. La tienda tiene productos muy interesantes y a precio asequible, en breve añadirán productos de belleza a base de sal. La pega es la falta de aparcamiento.

Sonintxu

Hacia frío y llovía sin parar pero la guía ya visita ha resultado gran ilustrativa e interesante que las 2h de visita nos han encantado. Entender y comprender la importancia de la sal a la lo largo del tiempo y el método de extracción siguiendo los mismo métodos que en el siglo X. Enhorabuena por el premio Slow Food y la preservación de las costumbres que han permitido desde hace tantos siglos que el Valle Salado continúe con las Heras y la sostenibilidad de sus Heras. Espero que en breve obtenga el reconocimiento de la UNESCO como patrimonio de la Humanidad.

txikitita59

Interesantes salinas procedentes de manantiales salinos que forman el rio Muera en el pueblo de Salinas de Añana (Alava).En la Edad Media florecieron con el comercio de la sal, pero, ya estaban documentadas desde muchos antes.Hay visita guiada muy recomendable. Es una visita muy interesante, mantiene la estructura primitiva.