Discover Balmaseda: Trails, History and Landscape

The second stage of the pilgrimage route from Güeñes to Nava de Ordunte is 22.9 km long. It runs through the Cadagua River basin and passes through Balmaseda as a cultural stop. The pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela passes through Balmaseda along the “Ruta de la montaña”.

Trails and Activities

The mountain biking routes in Balmaseda are circular routes. Depending on their level of difficulty, they are classified as blue, red or black. The Centro de Nordic Walking Balmaseda has four circular routes with different levels of difficulty.

History and Culture

The Puente Viejo dates from the 12th century and has three Romanesque arches. The central arch is considerably larger, and a Gothic tower crowns it. As a historic gateway from Castile to Bizkaia, the Puente Viejo was also the entrance to the walled area of Balmaseda.

The Museo de Historia de Balmaseda is located in the Iglesia de San Juan del Moral. It presents historical and ethnographic aspects that contribute to reconstructing the town’s past. The Centro de Interpretación de la Pasión Viviente is located in the monumental complex of Santa Clara. It houses an exhibition about the portrayal of the Passion of Christ.

The Museo de Historia focuses on historical and ethnographic aspects of the town, while the Centro de Interpretación presents the portrayal of the Passion of Christ in an exhibition. Both institutions are therefore associated with specific locations: the Iglesia de San Juan del Moral and the monumental complex of Santa Clara.

The Castillo de Balmaseda was built in the 13th century on the hill overlooking Balmaseda. La Encartada Fabrica-Museo is a restored textile factory. It preserves almost all the machinery from a complete production chain.

Landscape

Balmaseda is situated in a mountainous landscape with a narrow valley crossed by the Cadagua River. Mount Kolitza reaches an altitude of 879 m and is one of the five Bocinero Mountains of Bizkaia. Zoko Maitea Forest is considered the only manna ash forest (Fraxinus ornus) in the Basque Country.

Festivals and Cuisine

Balmaseda’s Medieval Market takes place every year over two days in May. On the first day, more than 400 residents of Balmaseda dress in historical costumes to recreate a medieval event.

The San Severino festival includes the International Putxeras Competition. The first edition of this competition took place in 1971. The putxera is a charcoal-heated pot. It originated from the tradition of the Balmaseda–La Robla (León) railway line and is used to cook a bean stew. On the 23rd, a celebration is held in Balmaseda in honour of its patron saint, San Severino.

Other Destinations

Other places to include in your travel planning are Sanfuentes, Bermeo, Ortuella, Mendieta, Fruiz, Bakio, Zubialde and Güeñes.

To the higher-level travel overview: Bizkaia.