Discover Lezama: Churches, Trails and Txakolina

Landscape

Lezama lies in the Txorierri Valley, in a flat landscape bordered by two mountain ranges. This location connects the open plain with the ridges that shape the town’s landscape.

The BI-3732 road, popularly known as the “Camino del Vivero”, runs along the entire length of the long ridge north of Bilbao, between the peaks of Artxanda and Ganguren. The Elorritxueta recreation area in Lezama lies at the foot of Mount Ganguren.

Architectural Heritage and Festivities

The Church of Santa María preserves vaults and five altars. Its design is shaped primarily by Gothic and Baroque styles. The church thus brings together several elements from art history in a single building.

The numerous manor houses and lineage towers in Lezama point to medieval roots. This historical profile is complemented by the Andra Mari festival, which Lezama celebrates on 8 September.

Pilgrimage

The Humilladero del Santo Cristo is a Baroque wayside chapel on the former Royal Road from Bilbao to Gernika. Its location along this historic route connects the chapel with the traditional route between the two cities.

A traditional pilgrimage and Mass take place around the Humilladero del Santo Cristo on 14 September, the Day of the Holy Cross. The date is an integral part of the festivities surrounding the chapel.

The Gernika-Lumo–Bilbao stage of the Coastal Way of Santiago de Compostela includes a visit to the Humilladero de Santa Cruz in Lezama and passes through Lezama into the Asúa Valley.

Trails and Rural Landscape

The Ruta Dorrea runs through a predominantly wooded landscape on the northern slope of Mount Ganguren. The character of the trail is defined by the forest and the hillside setting.

The Ruta Goitioltza passes through a rural landscape between Txakoli vineyards and farmhouses. Viticulture, individual farmsteads and the route itself are among the defining features here.

The two trails differ in their landscapes: the Ruta Dorrea runs along the wooded northern slope, while the Ruta Goitioltza passes between vineyards and farmhouses.

Txakoli

Magalarte Lezama Txakolina is a family winery with more than 120 years of history, firmly rooted in the Txorierri area of Bizkaia and affiliated with the D.O. Bizkaiko Txakolina.

Magalarte Lezama Txakolina offers winery tours and various activities.

Horse Riding and Activities

Centro Ecuestre Solazpi offers horse rides, equine therapy and activities for children. These three offerings are part of the programme at this equestrian centre.

Lezama has an equestrian club where visitors can learn to ride in the surroundings of a mill, in a natural landscape opening onto the surrounding countryside. Riding lessons are thus connected with the mill’s surroundings and the open rural landscape.

Other places: Ortuella, Santurtzi, Abadiño, Valle De Carranza, Mallabia, Basauri, Alonsotegi and Bilbao.

To the main travel overview: Bizkaia.