Images

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The photograph shows the islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe on the coast of Biscay under a clear blue sky. At the summit of the rocky outcrop, surrounded by the Cantabrian Sea, sits a small chapel with light-colored walls and a red roof. A narrow, winding stone path with hundreds of steps ascends the steep hillside, connecting the mainland to the church. To the right of the islet, a natural arch formed by marine erosion in the rock is clearly visible.
The photograph shows a panoramic view of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a conical islet topped by a small white chapel with a red roof, located on the coast of Biscay. The islet is connected to the mainland by a winding stone path that zigzags up the steep hillside, protected by low walls. To the right of the rock, marine erosion has formed a spectacular natural arch in the stone. The setting is completed by the deep blue of the Cantabrian Sea and coastal slopes covered in green vegetation under a clear sky.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

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Description

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, located on the coast of Bizkaia between the municipalities of Bermeo and Bakio, is one of the most beautiful and iconic natural and heritage sites in the Basque Country. This small rocky islet is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge upon which sits a hermitage dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, creating a spectacular landscape of rugged cliffs and open sea that attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year. Its strategic location, just 40 minutes from Bilbao and facing the coast of Bakio, makes it an essential destination that combines profound scenic, geological, and cultural values.

Access to the islet is via a pedestrian path that descends from the arrival area to the bridge and continues up an imposing staircase of over 200 steps leading to the hermitage. Since the route passes through natural, tiered terrain with steep slopes and exposed sections, a good physical condition is required to complete it. This limits access for people with reduced mobility, as there is no alternative route without stairs. Once at the top, the effort is rewarded with sweeping views of the Cantabrian Sea and the opportunity to fulfill the popular tradition of ringing the hermitage bell to bring good luck.

It is totally inaccessible from Eneperi Restaurant, with a lot of steps and uneven terrain. The second path starts a little higher up to the right at the junction. It is longer (2.8km); however, the ground is much more accessible for prams, wheelchairs, and people with limited mobility or wishing to walk calmly.

It is also a good option if you can’t climb stairs because you can reach the foot of the 241 steps and view the chapel panorama from the bottom. (Urdailife) Access by road to Matxitxako is currently under construction.

Highlight

  • Protected Biotope.
  • Historical and cultural richness.
  • Views of the French coast to the East.
  • Views to the West of the Cantabrian coast.

How to get here

By car:

  • Txorierri Corridor N-637 direction Mungia, exit N-631 Bakio, in Bakio follow N-2101.

By bus:

  • This shuttle service between Bakio and Bermeo, stopping at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, is only available in summer. In June and September weekends only, whereas in July and August it functions daily. There’s a bus every hour with departures on the hour from Bermeo and on the half-hour from.

Route

From the Eneperi car park to the bottom of the steps

Not suitable for people with reduced mobility (PRM)

Section full of stairs and with a steep incline. Not recommended for people with reduced mobility. The access by the road to Bermeo, is under construction, making access difficult.

Features and services

  • Section length
    2,83 km
    Pavement
    Cobblestones, asphalt, gravel
    Obstacles
    • Strong slopes
    • Stairs along the route and at the entrance to the hermitage.
  • Is there reception equipment on the section?
    Yes

    Outdoor space: Parking areas and access to equipment

    How close is it to means of transport?
    During the summer there are shuttle buses that leave from Bakio to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. You can reach Bakio by bus or car.
    Is there a parking area?
    Yes
    Parking. Are there any minimum dimensions for adapted vehicles?
    Yes
    Is there any adapted access?
    Yes
    Are there slopes at the entrances?
    Yes
    Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
    No
    Are there railings and/or handrails?
    No
    Is there an equipment entrance sign next to the access, and is it adapted?
    No
    Is the access properly signposted to guide users?
    Yes
    Pavement type
    Cobblestones, asphalt

    Indoor space: General features

    Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
    No
    Is there a magnetic loop or modulated radio frequency anywhere in the premises?
    No
    Are there accessible ICTs "information and communication technologies" ?
    No
    Can these ICTs be seen by people with visual impairment?
    No
    Are there any resources so that people with cognitive disabilities can understand them?
    No
    Are there any resources so that people with hearing impairment can understand them?
    No
    Information in Braille and/or audioguide devices
    No
    Are there bathrooms, and is at least one of them accessible by transfer?
    Yes
    Is transfer possible on both sides?
    No
    Type of lavatory
    Single lever mixer taps, long lever
    Is there an evacuation map in Braille and high relief??
    No

    Personal care area

    Are there personnel trained in accessibility in the facilities?
    No
    Do staff wear name badges or equivalent to show their communication skills with people with disabilities?
    No
    Are there any direct discounts on the best published rate for disabled people and/or their companions?
    No

    Rest zone

    Is there a rest area at the reception?
    No

    Store

    Is there one or more stores at the reception?
    No

    Children’s area

    Is there a children’s area at the reception?
    No

    Exhibition room

    Is there an exhibition room at the reception?
    No

    Exhibition Hall

    Is there an exhibition hall at the reception?
    No
  • Are there trails on the section?
    Yes

    Access

    Is there lighting at night?
    No
    Minimum accessible connection between parking spaces, if any, the start of the obstacle-free trail
    Yes
    Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
    No
    Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
    Yes
    Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
    Yes
    Informative poster at the start of the trail indicating the length, route, difficulty, duration and slopes by sections
    No
    Path start sign positioned no higher than 195cm
    Yes

    Itinerary

    Vertical start signage
    Yes
    Vertical signage type
    Written
    Compact, non-slip and with no projections along their entire length, allowing wheelchair transit
    The road surface is unsuitable for traffic.
    Guiding partition and/or tactile foot signs to draw attention to an important feature
    No
    Islands with a minimum width of 150 cm to facilitate two wheelchairs passing each other
    No
    Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
    No
    Tree branches do not obstruct the route at below 2.20 m
    Yes
    Route length dimensions and time
    2.4 km 40 minutes

    Cycle touring lane

    Does the section have a cycle touring lane?
    No

    Lookout and observatory

    Is there a lookout or observatory on the section?
    Yes
    Accessible connection from the parking, if there is one, to the premises, adapted to current regulations. Unobstructed area with a minimum width of 90 cm, an unobstructed height of 220 cm and a compact floor which allows for wheelchair access
    No
    Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
    No
    Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
    No
    Height of interpretive panel between 45 and 195 cm
    Yes
    Interpretative panel features Braille, audio support, graphics, pictograms, etc.
    No
    Are ICTs available so that the location and services are publicized in different languages?
    No
    Are there any resources so that people with cognitive disabilities can understand them?
    No
    Are there any resources so that people with hearing impairment can understand them?
    No
    Route length dimensions and time

    500 metres 15 minutes

  • Nature classroom

    Is there a nature classroom on this section?
    No
  • Is there a recreational area on this section?
    No

    Access

    Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
    No
  • Is there a beach on this section?
    No