The Active OUTDOORS Natural Beauty Spots Paradises to be discovered Walking and biking in Basque Country Surfing the waves Basque Coast Geopark Publication date: April 2012 Published by: Basquetour. Basque Tourism Agency for the Basque Department of Industry, Innovation, Commerce and Tourism Produced by: Bell Communication Photographs and texts: Various authors Printed by: MCC Graphics L.D.: VI 000-2011 The partial or total reproduction of the texts, maps and images contained in this publication without the San Sebastián express prior permission of the publisher and the Bilbao authors is strictly prohibited. Vitoria-Gasteiz All of the TOP experiences detailed in TOP in this catalogue are subject to change and EXPE RIEN may be updated. Therefore, we advise you CE to check the website for the most up to date prices before you book your trip. www.basquecountrytourism.net The 24 Active OUT- DOORS 20 28LOCAL NATURE SITES 6 Protected Nature Reserves Your gateway to Paradise 20 Basque Country birding Bird watching with over 300 species 24 Basque Coast Geopark Explore what the world way 6 34 like 60 million years ago ACTIVITIES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY 28 Surfing Surfing the Basque Country amongst the waves and mountains 34 Walking Walking the Basque Country Cultural Landscape Legacy 42 42 Biking Enjoy the Basque Country's beautiful bike-rides 48 Unmissable experiences 51 Practical information Gorliz Plentzia Laredo Sopelana THE BASQUE Castro Urdiales Kobaron Getxo ATXURI Pobeña ITSASLUR Muskiz GREENWAY GREENWAY Portugalete ARMAÑÓN Sondika COUNTRY'S MONTES DE HIERRO Gallarta Sestao NATURAL PARK GREENWAY Ranero BILBAO La Aceña-Atxuriaga PROTECTED Traslaviña Balmaseda PARKS AND AP-68 Laudio-Llodio RESERVES Amurrio GORBEIA NATURAL PARK Almost 25% of Basque Country Orduña territory comprises of protected nature areas: VALDEREJO A Biosphere Reserve, nine AP-68 NATURAL PARK Natural Parks, the Basque Lalastra Coast Geopark, more than Angosto three hundred bird species, splendid waves for surfing and Zuñiga Antoñana numerous routes for walking or biking. Murieta Miranda de Ebro Haro 4 URDAIBAI BIOSPHERE RESERVE Biarritz Gorliz Bakio Bermeo Plentzia Mundaka Elantxobe San Juan de Luz Ibarrangelua Hondarribia Lekeitio Hendaya Mungia SAN SEBASTIÁN Irún Pasaia Lezo Mount Artebakarra Gernika-Lumo Ondarroa Morga Mutriku Deba Zumaia Oiartzun BIDASOA Getaria AP-1 AP-8 Astigarraga ARDITURRI Arditurri GREENWAY Zarautz Lasarte GREENWAY BILBAO Larrabetzu Mendata Markina- BASQUE COAST Hernani Xemein GEOPARK AIAKO HARRIA Iturraran NATURAL PARK Elgoibar PAGOETA NATURAL Andoain PARK AP-8 Loyola Azpeitia Villabona Durango Errezil Azkoitia PLAZAOLA-LEITZARAN UROLA GREENWAY Apatamonasterio GREENWAY Areatza URKIOLA Tolosa Bergara GR-120 NATURAL PARK ARRAZOLA ROUTE OF THE Urkiola GREENWAY Zumarraga THREE TEMPLES Doneztebe/ Arrazola La Antigua Santesteban Arrasate/Mondragón Lekunberri Ordizia Ormaiztegi Otxandio Legazpi Beasain GORBEIA Oñati AP-1 NATURAL PARK Mutiloa AIZKORRI-ARATZ ARALAR NATURAL PARK Zegama NATURAL PARK Sarria Arantzazu Arlaban Pass VASCO-NAVARRO RAILROAD Lizarrusti GREENWAY San Adrián Tunnel Biosphere Reserve Natural Parks Mendixur to Pamplona Basque Coast ATARIA Estibaliz Agurain A-1 VITORIA-GASTEIZ Gaceo Geopark Alegría-Dulantzi Parketxe (Reception Centre) A-1 Armentia GR-38 THE WINE AND VASCO-NAVARRE RAILROAD FISH ROUTE GREENWAY Basque Country birding Lapuebla de Arganzón Maestu IZKI Camino de Santiago NATURAL PARK Zuñiga Antoñana Corres Estella Santa Cruz de Campezo GR-38 Urturi Briñas GR-120 Lagrán Bernedo Greenways Laguardia BTT Euskadi AP-68 Surfing the Basque Country Oyón-Oion LOGROÑO 5 Protected Nature Reserves your gateway to Paradise URDAIBAI 6 THE BASQUE COUNTRY THE ACTIVE OUTDOORS NATURE RESERVES If you love nature and the outdoor life you're in the right place: the Basque Country is made for people like you. A varied, spectacularly beautiful territory combining all types of trails, forests, parks, cliffs and protected areas of great ecological importance awaits you... Whether you prefer to simply enjoy and admire the outdoors or go on your own mini-adventure, be prepared to be amazed at this Spanish paradise. You can see, hear, smell, touch and taste the richness of this country. It's a feast to awaken the senses. The range of activities open to you is extensive Trekking, climbing, potholing, mountain biking, horseback riding, all imaginable water sports, and air-based activities... The choice is unlimited. 7 A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Municipalities Area Max. altitude Urdaibai Information usturialdea-Urdaibai is com- It is ideal for children due to its shallow posed of 20 municipalities each waters, and offers a clear view of the with a special charm; Munda- estuary mouth with Izaro Island in the ka, renowned worldwide for its background. Gaztelugatxe left-hand break wave, Sukarrieta with its Laga, next to Cape Ogoño, is one of the bwonderful landscapes and Busturia with Gaztelugatxe Protected Biotope forms most beautiful sandy beaches of the the peculiar Madariaga Tower, head office one of Biscay's most remarkable Basque Coast. Its waves attract many of the Basque Country Biodiversity Centre. sites in the environs of the Urdaibai surfers and other lovers of water sports Biosphere Reserve... This magnificant Makes sure you don't miss the Urdaibai such as sailing and sea kayaking. rock puts out into the sea defying the Bird Center, in Gautegiz-Arteaga, an open Along the Basque Coast you will find rough waves of the Cantabrian Sea. window to the Biosphere Reserve. The charming fishing villages such as Bermeo The photo and the climb to the Chapel Research and Dissemination Centre studies and Elantxobe, with its houses by the of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, which birds and their habitats for the protection sea. Gernika-Lumo with its symbolic oak holds offerings made by sailors saved of wildlife and nature. The centre is also in front of the Casa de Juntas (Basque from shipwreck, are a must. According an observatory, and tracks more than 200 Assembly Hall) is another must. And to tradition, if you ring the bell of the migratory species that visit or transit the remember that you are only a short chapel thirteen times the wish you area each year. walk from the magnificent experience of make will come true. Come on! It's Nearby, the beach at Laida is the biggest climbing to the Chapel of San Juan de well worth the effort. of the Mundaka Estuary: almost a kilometre Gaztelugatxe. www.basquecountrytourism.net of fine golden sand. www.busturialdeaurdaibai.com www.torremadariaga.net 8 THE BASQUE COUNTRY THE ACTIVE OUTDOORS NATURE RESERVES Ajangiz, Amorebieta-Etxano, Arratzu, Arrieta, Bermeo, Busturia, Elantxobe, Ereño, Errigoiti, Forua, Gautegiz-Arteaga, Gernika-Lumo, Ibarrangelua, Kortezubi, Mendata, Morga, Mundaka, Munitibar, Murueta, Muxika, Nabarniz and Sukarrieta 22,432 ha Astogana 809 m Busturialdea-Busturia (Biscay) · 944 650 822 · www.busturialdeaurdaibai.com Torre Madariaga-Busturia (Biscay) · 946 870 402 · www.torremadariaga.net TOP EXPE OMA Gaztelugatxe RIEN FOREST CE They call it "enchanted" and no wonder. This is the forest near Urdaibai that painter and sculptor Agustín Ibarrola used as his canvas. In this land-art work the artist traced geometric forms and human and animal figures on trees and stones. Some of these are only visible from certain viewpoints from which images on various different trunks form a joint composition. This magical enclave opens the possibility of a new relationship between nature and art. The experience will be even more colourful on a sunny day, but the beauty of the surroundings and the rich fauna will seduce you no matter what the weather. Make sure you do not miss the nearby Santimamiñe Caves, a repository of Paleolithic art. 9 Each nature reserve has its own personality The beauty of the Basque Country's Park 10 THE BASQUE COUNTRY THE ACTIVE OUTDOORS NATURE RESERVES Natural Park Municipalities Urkabustaiz, Zigoitia and Zuia in Álava Areatza, Artea, Orozko, Zeanuri and Zeberio in Biscay Area 20,016 ha Max. altitude Gorbeia 1,482 m Gorbeia Information Sarria (Álava) Interpretation Centre · 945 430 709 Parketxe of Areatza · Areatza (Biscay) · 946 739 279 Gorbeialdea · www.gorbeialdea.com www.gorbeiacentralpark.com he Gorbeia Natural Park, with its 20,016 hectares, is a traditional TOP benchmark for Basque moun- taineering. Its summit (altitude EXPE 1,482 meters) marks the boundary be- RIEN Gorbeia is a perfect tween Àlava and Biscay. CE example of the authentic Basque Country. Just 20 In Gorbeia there are several different types t minutes from Bilbao and of landscape depending on the underlying Vitoria-Gasteiz, it encapsulates geological strata. Towering rocks such as a lifestyle that draws the visitor's Aldamin and Lekanda give way to rolling attention: a culture and language of pastures with stands of beech and oak. marked character, local crafts, festive The Mairulegorreta Cave, more than 12 pilgrimages and traditional cuisine... kilometres long, is one of the best known caves along with the Itxina karst, found in the Itxina Protected Biotope. In the north- east of the karst visitors can find the well- Gorbeia known entrance to the “Eye of Atxular” is found. Central Park Another of the scenic wonders of this area Visitors can enjoy experiencing the is the Goiuri waterfall in Álava, more than wonderful forests, the varied wildlife 100 metres high. and the stars at night in the heart of the nature of the Basque Country. The quality of the landscape and the cul- tural significance the Park has, is one of www.gorbeiacentralpark.com the reasons why it has become the focus www.basquecountrytourism.net of numerous sporting activities: abseiling, climbing, hiking, mountaineering, moun- tain biking, potholing, multi-adventure, trekking, orienteering... On the Biscay side, one of the main recreational facilities is Pagomakurre. Visitors will also find the Parketxe Reception Centre in the Baias complex. One of the most impressive is the Gorbeia Cross, which adds its towering 18 metres to the summit. GORBEIA CROSS 11 Urkiola Natural Park Municipalities Dima, Durango, Izurtza, Mañaria, Amorebieta-Etxano, Atxondo, Abadiño (Biscay) and Aramaio (Álava) Area 5,955 ha Max.