Ramón Rubial Botanical Garden of Barakaldo
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Description
The Ramón Rubial Botanical Garden of Barakaldo is an urban green space that offers an accessible route through a landscaped and well-organised environment integrated into the city. Designed by architect Ángel de Diego Rica and inaugurated in 2002, the garden covers approximately 60,000 m² and is structured as an open-air museum, where vegetation and landscape are arranged through paths, themed areas and open spaces.
The site has several entrances from the surrounding urban area, the main one located at the Jardín Blanco, on La Torre Street, which provides easy connection with the rest of Barakaldo. Along the route, more than 300 woody species and a wide variety of herbaceous plants can be seen, organised into different areas that allow a clear and progressive understanding of the space. The garden combines native species with plants from other parts of the world, integrated into a layout that offers views towards the Triano hills and supports a calm, continuous walk suitable for an accessible visit without significant barriers.
Highlight
- Entrance no. 1 at street level, with reserved parking spaces for people with reduced mobility nearby.
- Network of accessible paths, with ramped alternatives to move between the different levels of the garden.
- Benches, viewpoints and rest areas distributed along the route, with litter bins at accessible height.
- Botanical signage on low-height plaques with QR codes, and orientation panels at all entrances.
- This route meets minimum accessibility criteria, verified by specialised technicians.
How to get here
Metro (Metro Bilbao)
- Line 2 (Santurtzi – Kabiezes)
- Stations: Ansio or Barakaldo
- The garden can be reached on foot in about 10–15 minutes via mostly flat urban routes with wide pavements.
Train
- Lines C1 and C2 Bilbao – Muskiz / Santurtzi
- Barakaldo station
- From the station, the garden is about a 15-minute walk along an accessible urban route.
Bus
- Several lines connect Barakaldo with Bilbao and nearby towns (for example A3136, A3137, A3144).
- Stops are located in the town centre, from where the garden can be reached on foot in a few minutes.
Car
- Access via the A-8 (Barakaldo / Ansio exit) or the BI-637.
- The Botanical Garden has entrances from La Torre Street (main entrance) and from surrounding streets.
- There is public parking in the area, including reserved spaces for people with reduced mobility near Entrance no. 1.
Route
Ramón Rubial Botanical Garden of Barakaldo
Suitable for people with reduced mobility (PRM)
The most accessible entrance to the Ramón Rubial Botanical Garden is Entrance no. 1, located at street level, where public parking is available nearby, including at least two spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility. As an alternative, Entrance no. 8 can also be used. It is located at the opposite end of the garden and connected by a U-shaped perimeter route. This entrance is accessible but requires overcoming a level difference via long ramps with a moderate slope, equipped with handrails and intermediate resting platforms. For easier access, Entrance no. 1 is recommended.
Once inside the garden, the route follows a network of wide, continuous paths arranged on different levels, forming a terraced landscaped structure. Most of the main routes are circular and accessible, allowing visitors to move around the garden without using stairs. In some places there are stepped shortcuts to save distance, but there are always ramped or perimeter alternatives to avoid them.
Along the route there are raised planting beds with plant species from different parts of the world, many of them protected by a small edging. Botanical information is provided on low-height plaques (approximately 35–40 cm from the ground) with QR codes, allowing easy reading from a seated position or when using mobility aids.
Benches are regularly distributed along the paths, both with and without backrests, as well as elevated viewpoints offering views over the city. At the highest part of the park there is a small pond with ducks, protected by a safety railing. Throughout the route there are press-operated litter bins placed at an accessible height.
At all garden entrances there are orientation panels with maps, allowing visitors to identify their location and the main points of interest of the botanical garden, making it easier to plan the route.
Features and services
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- Section length
- 1.10 km
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- Is there reception equipment on the section?
- No
Outdoor space: Parking areas and access to equipment
- 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?
- Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
- Are there railings and/or handrails?
- Yes
- Is the access properly signposted to guide users?
- Yes
Indoor space: General features
- Do the different equipment areas have adapted access?
- Yes
-
Itinerary
- Vertical start signage
- Yes
- For floors with planks, the spacing between the planks is no more than 1 cm, with occasional narrowings of a maximum of 90 cm
- Yes
- 2 m. paved trails with non-deformable and non-slip material, with a different texture and different from the rest
- Yes
- The route is more than 150cm wide, with occasional narrowings of 90cm
- Yes
- Minimum clearance height of 220 cm
- Yes
- Rest areas
- Yes
- Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
- Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
- Tree branches do not obstruct the route at below 2.20 m
- Yes
- Ramps, bridges and walkways with more than 50cm of unevenness, 90cm handrails and with handrails at two heights: 65-75 cm and 95-105 cm
- Yes
-
Nature classroom
- Is there a nature classroom on this section?
- Yes
-
Access
- Is there adequate lighting?
- 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
- Yes