From Bakio to Turtzioz in 5 steps

Bizkaia allows you to go from sea breeze to mountains in half a day.

We start in bakio, a charming coastal town famous for its beach, surf and the vineyards that surround the Txakoli Museum.

The seaside road leading to bermeo holds two surprises. The first is San Juan de Gaztelugatxe with its hermitage and steps overlooking the Bay of Biscay. The other is the Matxitxako lighthouse, whose turn-off appears on the left after a sharp bend.

Bermeo has a great seafaring tradition and its historic quarter, with a unique old town, is dominated by the 15th-century Ercilla Tower, which now houses the charming Fishing Museum.

Towards gernika-lumo lie the unique landscapes of the Urdaibai estuary, a UNESCO biosphere reserve,
with its beaches, wetlands and beautiful towns such as Mundaka and Sukarrieta. Gernika has a good atmosphere. It has a Peace Museum, a tree that symbolises Basque freedom, a pelota court that is one of the cradles of the cesta-punta and spectacular gastronomy.

From Gernika, take the road towards Amorebieta-Etxano and, at the roundabout, take the exit signposted Bilbao. Then, at Galdakao, take the A-8 towards Santander.

Once past the Bilbao ring road, on the right is the sign for the turning to Balmaseda, which is at the end of the Kadagua corridor, a few kilometres before the border with Burgos and Castile-León.

It is the first town founded in Bizkaia and still preserves its medieval layout, small palaces and convents, as well as a well-preserved Gothic bridge. A perfect place to buy handmade chocolate.

From balmaseda, the road climbs towards Encartaciones (Enkarterri). The landscape is full of meadows, flocks, hills and forests dotted with manor houses and farmhouses. At the foot of the La Escrita pass, turtzioz awaits.

Pull in. Breathe in. Just go for a walk.