Holiday apartment in Arakaldo: nature, trails and Santa Marina

Arakaldo combines a predominantly rural setting on the slope of Mount Untzueta with trails through the small floodplain of the Nervión and historic local landmarks around Santa Marina. A short circular route contrasts with the considerably longer route “Untzueta, el vigía del alto Nervión”. In the town itself, the town hall and church are concentrated around the central square.

Two routes between the floodplain and Untzueta

For a shorter outing, the circular route “NER08 Arakaldo: geraleku” provides a clearly defined framework. It is 2.33 km long, involves 61 m of cumulative ascent and descent respectively, and takes an estimated 35 minutes. Its starting point is Elexalde 3. Along the way, it crosses the small floodplain of the Nervión in Arakaldo and passes the Arakaldo stop. The short route therefore remains within a clearly limited time frame. For planning the day, the 61 m each of ascent and descent also count as separate components of the route.

For a more extended day of hiking, the route “Untzueta, el vigía del alto Nervión” begins in Arakaldo. It is 12.0 km long, involves 865 m of ascent and takes an estimated 3 hours and 25 minutes. The short circular route involves 61 m each of ascent and descent, while the longer route includes 865 m of ascent. Compared with the short circular route, it covers considerably more distance and ascent and, as a route lasting several hours, takes longer. The municipality of Arakaldo also has numerous routes through the surrounding natural landscape. The greater time and topographical scope clearly distinguishes this route from the short circular route.

Natural landscape on Untzueta

The municipality of Arakaldo lies in a predominantly rural setting on the slope of Mount Untzueta, which is 766 m high. The rural setting on the mountain slope forms the geographical framework of the municipality; the small floodplain of the Nervión is a separate landscape section of the short route.

Santa Marina and the history of the town

Arakaldo’s town hall and the Church of Santa Marina are located on the central square. The parish of Santa Marina is located in Elexalde in Arakaldo. The Church of Santa Marina in Arakaldo has an impressive portico.

The Iglesia de Santa Marina in Arakaldo is a post-medieval church dating from the 16th century. The Fort of Kukutza is located above Arakaldo. It was built during the First Carlist War to defend the route from Vitoria to Bilbao against the Liberals, and was captured on 23 August 1839. In the municipality of Arakaldo, the patron saint’s feast in honour of Santa Marina is held on 16 July.

For further travel planning, you can also view Abadiño, Lanestosa, Muskiz, Ondarroa, Urriola, Lekeitio, Mimetiz and Garai.

For the overarching travel overview: Bizkaia.