Urduliz: Santa Marina, History and Rural Trails

Urduliz retains a rural character, with farmhouses scattered across different neighbourhoods in a broad valley. The gentle terrain of Urduliz is ideal for peaceful walks. Cycling routes pass through a rural landscape rich in natural, cultural and historical heritage. The broad valley connects the scattered settlements with a landscape where agriculture, trails and historical traces lie closely alongside one another.

Landscape and Trails

The Santa Marina cliffs form a rocky ridge on the boundary between Urduliz and Sopela. A chapel is located in a cave among these rocks. Climbing takes place regularly at the Peñas de Santa Marina; the area is also suitable for beginners and for learning this sport.

The Vuelta a Urduliz is a circular route that climbs from the centre of Urduliz to the Santa Marina chapel. From Santa Marina, the route offers impressive views all the way to the sea. The Iron Belt Memorial Trail is an easy 4-km circular route that starts in the area next to the Andra Mari church, leads to the Santa Marina cliffs and returns to the starting point. The routes thus combine the climb to a prominent viewpoint with a short circular trail linking natural and historical sites.

Culture and History

Urduliz is home to remains of the "Cinturón de Hierro de Bilbao" defensive system from the Spanish Civil War. The Iron Belt Memorial Trail provides access to recently excavated and restored defensive remains from this context.

Torre Barri is a palace built at the end of the 17th century that partly incorporates the walls of a late-medieval building. The Church of Santa María features a remarkable ashlar façade. It has two impressive 16th-century entrances with voussoirs, while its bell tower dates from 1673.

Festivals and Rural Traditions

Throughout the year, Urduliz celebrates festivals such as the San Juan bonfire, Santa Marina, Andra Mari, Rabú, Gau Beltza, Carnival and Olentzero. The names combine religious feast days with seasonal and popular traditions. Bull trials are part of a long-standing rural sporting tradition in Urduliz.

Traditional agriculture in Urduliz included wheat, maize, beans and grapes for producing txakoli. Casa Rural Ortulane is located in an 18th-century farmhouse at Araba 5, 48610 Landa, Urduliz. The farmhouse and the crops mentioned preserve different traces of the town’s rural history.

Gastronomy

Ayoberri Sagardotegia is a cider house located in a rural farmhouse, offering various menus. These include Ayoberri-style cod, grilled steak and roast lamb; suckling pig is available to order. The menus combine a fish dish with several meat dishes, complementing the rural character of the cuisine with a specific selection of regional specialities.

Getting There

Urduliz railway station is served by Metro Bilbao Line 1.

Other destinations: Bermeo, Amorebieta-Etxano, Balmaseda, Ermua, Basauri, Etxebarria, Trucios-Turtzioz, Arrieta.

To the main travel overview: Bizkaia.