Route to the Urdaibai marshes

Urdaibai: A walk along the estuary and the marshes to the Bird Center

This is a really easy and extraordinarily beautiful circular route – with no gradient – that runs from the centre of Gernika to the Urdaibai Bird Centre.

Walking route

Where to start out from

The Gernika Tourism Office. Artekalea, 8

Distance

10 km (there and back)

Duration

2 1/2 hours

Where to park

Santana

Erreka Egala Ibilbidea

How to get to the starting point by public transport

The Euskotren train station is just 5 minutes by foot from the Tourist Office.

If you come by bus, it’ll also set you down just 5 minutes from the Tourist Office and the start of the route.

Itinerary

If you park in the Santana car park, you can head straight to the Renteria Bridge and start the route from there.
If you set out from the Tourist Office, then take Calle San Juan until you reach the Renteria Bridge. Cross over the bridge and start walking along the right bank of the estuary.
Walk for about 2 km until you come to a wooden bridge – but don’t cross it!
Continue along the path to the right and then take the path to the left until you see a wooden signpost that shows you which path to follow – you’ll have to go down some wooden stairs.
In no time at all you’ll soon reach Kortezubi, and from the path you’ll be able to see the Church of Santiago above you.
If we continue along the same wooden walkways, we will reach Gautegiz Arteaga and the Bird Centre.

The way back

On foot

OPTION 1: Head back along the same path as far as the Rentería Bridge.
OPTION 2: Head back along the same path until you reach the wooden bridge (3 km from the Bird Centre). This time, cross it! Take the path to the right in Forua and visit the Roman settlement. Continue on to Gernika walking along the Paseo de los Tilos which runs alongside the BI 2235.