A route through the 5 unique trees of Bizkaia

The figure of the singular tree is included in the Nature Conservation Law of the Basque Country. These are trees that deserve special protection because of their size, age, history, beauty or location.

There are five of them in Bizkaia. Two of them are yew trees and are part of the same forest in Arimekorta (Zeanuri), in the Gorbea Natural Park.

Aginalde yew

They are the Aginalde yew and its brother, the Aginarte yew.

From Zeanuri, ask for the Aginalde Refuge and be prepared for a walk through the natural park. On the way back to Zeanuri, take the N210 towards Otxandio, a town well worth a visit.

From Otxandio, turn left onto the beautiful road that leads to the Urkiola Nature Reserve. A walk along the ridge and around the reserve is a must. Be careful on the descent from the pass to Durango.

On the Durango ring road, take the direction of San Sebastian without getting on the motorway. You will soon come to the junction for Garai. Take the opportunity to eat a good red bean stew.

Oak of Garai

Ask for the chapel of Santa Kataliñe, in front of which stands the holm oak of Garai, almost nine metres high and with a crown 20 metres in diameter.

Go back down to the Durango ring road, but this time take the road towards Bilbao and when you reach Amorebieta-Etxano you will see the sign for Gernika on your right. Take it.

About two kilometres before the town, at a cervecera (traditional Basque restaurant), the road to Muxika appears on the left.

Encina de Urkieta

The Encina de Urkieta holm oak can be found in this town, specifically in the San Román area.

Once you have taken the picture next to the holm oak, take the road towards Mungia and continue towards Bilbao on the motorway. After Derio, you should take the Barakaldo-Santander direction until you pass the Rontegi viaduct, where you should take the ring road towards Bilbao. Before reaching the city you will see the entrance to Balmaseda along the Kadagua corridor, this is your road.

Roble de San Miguel

As you continue along the corridor, look for the Zalla-Turtzios-Karrantza exit. Follow it. There you will find Artzentales and its Roble de San Miguel, almost 40 metres high.

Once you have admired the tree, you can choose to return and stroll around Balmaseda before returning to Bilbao. Or you can continue through the Karrantza valley and take the motorway to Bilbao at Colindres.

Both plans are worthwhile.