The best walks and hikes around Murueta

The old brick factory and chimney of Murueta are a vestige of the industrial tradition linked to the Urdaibai marshes, a reminder of the recent past that today blends into the natural landscape of the reserve.

The Urdaibai Bird Center is an internationally renowned observatory that allows visitors to discover the wealth of migratory birds that pass through this reserve throughout the year. In addition to its viewing platforms overlooking the marshes, it features interactive spaces where visitors can learn about the ecological importance of Urdaibai and its role in global migration routes.

For centuries, pilgrims, merchants, and even the Kings of Castile and the Lords of Biscay traveled along this ancient royal road that connected Bermeo and Gernika, on their way to the Oath-Bearing Church of Santa Eufemia in Bermeo. The term "royal" refers to the fact that the retinues of successive Castilian monarchs passed through here, having to fulfill the protocol of swearing the charters to receive the title of "Lord of Biscay." This title was inherited by the Castilian monarchy in the 14th century, when Doña Juana Manuela, Lady of Biscay, married Henry II of Castile. Isabella the Catholic in 1483, Ferdinand the Catholic in 1476, and Henry III and Henry IV are some of the monarchs who traveled this "Oath-Bearing Route" through the Lordship. The processions entered Urdaibai via the Gerekiz Pass (Morga) to descend into the Oka valley and celebrate a formal swearing-in ceremony at the Antigua chapel, beneath the Gernika tree. The route ended with another similar celebration at the aforementioned church of Santa Eufemia de Bermeo.

Although the current hermitage, located in the Isla Bekoa neighborhood of Gautegiz Arteaga, was built in the 16th century, its head features an inlaid window of clear pre-Romanesque origin from the mid-10th to the 11th century.

The municipality of Gautegiz-Arteaga preserves the only tidal flour mill that once existed on the Urdaibai estuary: the Ozollo Errota tidal mill. Furthermore, the Arteaga mill is the best preserved and the only one that retains most of its facilities. The mill was built around 1683, in the marshland of Laida Beach, in the Kanala area. An area of the marsh was used for its construction, enclosing it with walls, and it was fed by the dam in the rear reservoir. In addition to the milling house, where the drive wheels were installed, the mill has a building at the lowest point of the reservoir. This is a house located on the edge of the estuary, above the same water inlet and outlet. Therefore, the Ozollo Errota tidal mill is the most notable heritage structure in Urdaibai. The mill ceased to operate in the early decades of the 20th century and has been privately owned for several years.

Picturesque old town with a relaxed surfer vibe

From this point you have a great view of the little harbour, boats and pretty houses. At the end of the day, villagers gather here to enjoy the last rays of sunshine

You have to go there once at high and low tide to get a good impression of the fantastic nature reserve