Urkiola Natural Park
Parque Natural de Urkiola
A natural park in the Basque limestone mountains. According to legend, the goddess Mari lives on Mount Anboto, and the Sanctuary of San Antonio de Urkiola stands at the pass.
Urkiola Natural Park lies about 35 km southeast of Bilbao and is formed by a chain of steep limestone peaks. The highest, Mount Anboto (1,331 m), is the home of the goddess Mari in Basque mythology. At the mountain pass stands the Sanctuary of San Antonio de Urkiola, a pilgrimage site, with a visitor centre beside it. A popular hiking route climbs from the pass to Anboto or Aluitz, taking 4 to 6 hours round trip. For a gentler outing, walk the loop around the pass. You can drive there or take the Bizkaibus via Durango.
Opening hours
Open all day; visitor centre closed Mon
Nearby sights
- Gernika Assembly House & Tree of Gernika
- Gernika Peace Museum
- Oma Painted Forest
- Santimamiñe Cave
- Basilica of Begoña
- Elantxobe
- Church of San Antón
- Basque Museum (Euskal Museoa)