Alonsotegi: Hiking Trails, Hermit Churches and History

The PR BI 101 hiking trail is a circular route through the limestone karst of Peñas Blancas. It begins at the Ermita de San Antolín. The route therefore combines a distinctive landscape with a historic religious building as its starting point.

Nature and Trails

The Alonsotegi–Pagasarri route begins in the town hall square. Its signposted ascent leads towards Pagasarri.

The route leads through pine forests along woodland paths. It offers the opportunity to observe wild mountain animals.

Alonsotegi has a pronounced difference in elevation: the town centre lies at around 50 metres, while Mount Ganekogorta reaches almost 1,000 metres above sea level. The lower-lying town centre and the nearly 1,000-metre-high mountain therefore represent distinctly different elevations. This range shapes the geographical setting of the town.

Alonsotegi lies in the corridor formed by the Cadagua River between the mountains of Sasiburu, Ganekogorta and Pagasarri. The river and mountains jointly define the town’s location: the Cadagua runs through the corridor, while Sasiburu, Ganekogorta and Pagasarri name its mountainous surroundings.

The circular route from Zamundi offers views of scenic surroundings. On a walk, you can explore Alonsotegi’s numerous hermit churches along several routes.

Churches and History

The Ermita de San Antolín is located in the Irauregi district. It was built by the noble Coscojales family at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century.

The hermitage is considered the only one in Bizkaia to have preserved its original altarpiece.

At the Ermita de San Juan Bautista in the Azordoiaga district, an altar with an icon is located against a rock face beneath a small roof.

The icon was made after the original in the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade. The small, sheltered spot against the rock face thus combines an altar, an icon and a connection to the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade.

The parish church of San Bartolomé is a prominent building in the centre of Alonsotegi. The Barrenkalea workers’ housing estate was built in the first half of the 20th century. Its development followed the growth of mining and industry in the region.

The Neveras del Pagasarri are underground ice houses from the 17th century, where snow was stored to make drinks, preserve food and relieve fever.

Further places for your travel planning: Muxika, Otxandio, Elantxobe, Sopuerta, Santurtzi, Ziortza-Bolibar, Markina-Xemein and Derio.

Festivals

The festivals in honour of San Bartolomé take place in Alonsotegi during the last week of August. At the beginning of September, the San Antolín festival is celebrated in Alonsotegi. Thus, two dates follow one another in the festival calendar: first the celebration of San Bartolomé, followed by the San Antolín festival.

To the main travel overview: Bizkaia.