The enchanted forest of Ugasko

Using fallen trees, an anonymous carver has created a universe full of animals, genies and totems

In June 2023 a local newspaper revealed that the Ugasko forest hid a secret: someone was carving and polychroming the wood of large trees that had fallen for whatever reason.

This land art exhibition was located a hundred metres up the slope towards Artxanda from the University of Deusto campus. Right in the centre of the city.

The media impact turned the ‘Enchanted Forest of Ugasko’, as it was immediately named, into an improvised attraction for visitors to Bilbao. In fact, it is likely that you will find it in online guidebooks and similar publications.

Don’t pay any attention. In winter 2023 the sculptures were vandalised and the anonymous sculptor left the area.

Two years on, we now know that the artist has only moved back a few dozen metres up the slope. He has returned to charm the woods once more.

Along one of the paths leading up from Ugasko to Mount Banderas, a large lion, a bison, a crocodile devouring a deer and incredible octopuses emerge, among many other figures.

This open-air woodcarving gallery is located in a natural setting of native forest and is further away from the centre. It’s about a 10-minute walk away. It is well worth it. It is one of those surprises that Bilbao holds for us.