Route map

Stages of the route

• Stage 1 Butrón Castle

  The route begins with an outdoor visit to the impressive Butrón Castle located in Gatika.
  This castle is surrounded by an impressive oakwood forest that looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale. Its origins go back to the 13th century when it was simply a modest tower-house of the Lords Butrón. It became Bizkaia’s unique, impregnable castle in the 14th century.
  The castle’s interior cannot be visited currently, although it is very much worth the effort. You can also enjoy a pleasant stroll around the area in an environment with great ecological value.

• Stage 2 Panoramic drive through the Uribe Valley

  Continue along the route for a panoramic drive through the Uribe valley.
  Together with Urdaibai, Uribe has more vineyards than any other administrative region in Bizkaia.
  The Txorierri and Butrón valleys are home to some of Bizkaia’s most emblematic and architecturally valuable baserris (traditional Basque country house), whose origins date back to the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. These baserris are a living reflection of our traditions and a way of life that shares a strong connection with the land and our natural surroundings.

• Stage 3 Mungia

  If you have time, we recommend you make a stop in Mungia during your trip.

  Here you will find another stop on the Medieval Route: Torrebillela

  Mungia is also home to Bizkaia’s oldest baserri - Landetxo Goikoa, which was built in 1510. This traditional Basque country house offers guided tours and is set up as a performance centre for Basque mythology.

  

• Stage 4 Visit to a Txakoli winery (Multiple options to choose from)

  After exploring these valleys’ beautiful landscapes and stepping into life in the Middle Ages, take some time to check out a txakoli bodega and discover the secrets of this character-rich wine steeped in the region’s many traditions.

  There are various txakoli producers in the region that provide tours, so there are many bodegas to choose from:

  Magalarte Zamudio, a small, family-run bodega with a long wine-making tradition that goes back to the 19th century. Today, the torch is carried by the sixth generation, following the family txakoli producing legacy for the last century. Visiting this bodega means understanding a family’s history while wine tasting among the vines. They offer tours with different kinds of tastings.

  https://bodegamagalartezamudio.com/enoturismo/

  Magalarte Lezama is a bodega that is deeply rooted in txakoli production, and shares its 19th-century family origins with the previously-mentioned bodega. It is located in a traditional country house in Lezama among vineyards you can stroll through during your visit and taste excellent wines while travelling back in time with family lore.

  https://magalartelezamatxakolina.com/

  Gorka Izagirre is a family-run bodega located among the vineyards in Larrabetzu. It is located within the Azurmendi culinary complex. The bodega offers guided tours that include a wine tasting paired with different products inspired by traditional hamaiketako.

  https://www.gorkaizagirre.com/visitas-catas-bodega/

  After your bodega visit, enjoy a culinary experience that has earned 3 Michelin stars by eating at restaurante Azurmendi de Eneko Atxa right next to the bodega https://azurmendi.restaurant/

  If travelling in a group, another option is Bodegas Butroi https://butroi.com/ , which offers group tours on Saturdays. If you decide on visiting this bodega, we recommend you stop here after visiting Butrón Castle but before Mungia, as this is a shorter route.

  

• Stage 5 Lezama - Lunch

  For lunch, we recommend heading into Lezama.

  This town is full of heritage houses and lineage towers that reflect its solid medieval legacy. It is also found in an exceptional natural environment with beautiful rural landscapes and green areas where rural homes coexist alongside txakoli bodegas and their vineyards.

  Where to eat in Lezama: https://www.uribe.eu/saborea/donde-comer/donde-comer-lezama

• Stage 6 Lezama – Goitioltza promenade

  There’s nothing better after a meal than a nice walk along the Paseo Goitioltza, also in Lezama.

  This low-difficulty, 7.7 km trail runs through txakoli vineyards and past traditional country homes.

  More information: https://www.lezama.eus/es-ES/Turismo/Rutas/Paginas/default.aspx

• Stage 7 Lezama- Athletic Bilbao training camps

  This trail ends at the Athletic football club training camp in Lezama. If you’re a fan of the team or football in general, don’t miss this opportunity to visit Athetic’s facilities. This pitch in Lezama is now home to the old San Mamés arch.
  Sometimes they have open houses and training sessions that are open to the public, and the little ones can enjoy Campus del Athletic in the summer.

  Curiosity: A veces se realizan jornadas de puertas abiertas y entrenamientos abiertos al público y en verano se realiza un Campus del Athletic para los más pequeños.

Alternatives

If you have more time, you may wish to continue along the Medieval Route, visiting the Zamudio Tower and Anguleri Palace in Larrabetzu.

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