Route 8: The Durangaldea Enjoy Homage to stone and magic
The Goddess Mari inhabits the bare rock. She wanders aimlessly amongst Bilbao beech trees, protects and wards off. The great mass of stone crushes us to the ground, mere mortals. Urkiola is the magic, the pagan and Christian rituals, the final refuge for beings created by the fears of the Euskal Herria people. The noble villas at its feet hide palaces and secrets, the peaks upon high enclose the greatness of this earth, the yearning for freedom of its AP-8 people, and the hospitality of its valleys. 33 km 34’ Durango
7km 14’ Argiñeta
BI-636 4km 12km 7’ BI-3321 20’ Atxondo BI-623 Elorrio Durango Arrazola
30 Urkiola Greenway 31 Urkiola Betsaide
From Bilbao, towards Donostia/ Park. From Durango, taking the BI- San Sebastián, the AP-8 takes us 623, you can take in the extraordinary to Durango, a town in a natural landscape on offer at this Natural environment of great beauty and full Park where you can find mountain of possibilities for lovers of outdoor ranges and white limestone rocks, Having returned to Durango, we set Betsaide. At El Tope, the end point of its historical patrimony: palaces activities. In its urban centre you gullies and deep valleys, intricate off towardsElorrio on the BI-636, of the Arrazola Greenway, leave the and stately homes of robust stone can discover emblematic elements forests and soft pastures. You can but we can pause our journey and car and, after a gentle climb along and carved masonry, the Santa and buildings such as the Cross also practise mountaineering, stop off atAtxondo if we feel like a a signposted path, you will reach Ana Monastery, the Basilica de la of Kurutziaga, the Santa María de climbing, rappel or hiking. Elorrio quiet stroll, ideal for families, along the summit where you will be faced Purísima Concepción, the door of Uribarri Basilica, the noble palaces, At the top of this Natural Park, the old train trail Durango-Arrazola. with incomparable views and be Don Tello, the Tola palace and the a tour of the remains that were on a hillside, is the Sanctuary of The Arrazola Greenway, hidden able to relax in the silence of the remains of the medieval wall. In left after the town was bombed De Padua). Surrounded by ash, the Santos Antonios (Abad and amongst the imposing stone walls of mountain. It is the exact point where the outskirts of Elorrio, we can in 1937 and the “Espacio para la eucalyptus and beech trees, its Anboto is a path which is completely the three Basque Country territories access the necropolis of Argiñeta Memoria” (Space for Remembering), history is linked to the origins of flat and which stretches across 10 meet: Araba, Gipuzkoa and Biscay. A on the BI-3321, one of the most a monument which was erected as a Argiñeta Christianity. Opposite the sanctuary km, there and back, which can be monument marks this geographical important Basque Country funerary reminder of the terrible occurrence. there is a stone which, according to completed in two hours. The trip milestone. monuments constructed in the Early The Basque Book and Record Fair of popular belief, is a meteorite and can also be completed by car, taking Middle Ages. Durango is celebrated in December possesses special virtues: in order to the BI-4332, a parallel road. This way We go back to our point of departure and is the most important cultural find a husband quickly, the maidens we can enjoy the greenest and most in Apatamonasterio (Axpe Atxondo) To return to the capital of Biscay, we fair in the Basque Country. of marrying age simply had to circle rural Biscay. and join the road again, first via retrace our steps along the path to it. Nowadays it also works for young the N-634 and then the N-636 until Elorrio via the N-636 to Durango and If you love green spaces we suggest lads. All of this is complemented with From here, there is another we arrive in Elorrio. This town finally, take the AP-8 to Bilbao. that you visit the Urkiola Natural several inns, huts and restaurants. recommendable visit, the climb to stands out due to the high value