Motorbike routes

BILBAO - MONDRAGÓN - OÑATI - ARANTZAZU

You can go to MONDRAGÓN via the N-634 A-road or via the A-8 motorway.

We recommend the A-road to enjoy the beautiful scenery, when you reach Durango take the N-632 which will take you directly to MONDRAGÓN.

The town’s name is linked to a legend, according to which a dragon that lived on Santa Bárbara Mountain (close to the town) terrorised the people who lived nearby. The iron workers of the district managed to defeat the dragon, and the town was given the name of Mondragón to mark this event.

Mondragón had medieval city walls, of which there are still some remains as well as part of the gates; such as “Portal de Iturriotz”, “El Portalón” or a third archway that is less spectacular, “Zurginkantoi”.

The Parish Church, the Casa Consistorial and San Francisco Convent are great tourist attractions.

After the visit the route takes you to the URKULLU RESERVOIR, along the GI-3131 from Aretxabaleta.

The area surrounding the reservoir is being prepared as an ornithological park and a public park, and the area is being adapted as the entrance to the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park.

Next stop, OÑATI. Between Mondragón and Bergara take the GI-2630 right into the centre of Oñati, which is possibly one of the most beautiful towns in the Basque Country.

The “Basque Toledo”, according to the painter Ignacio Zuloaga, the town appears to be scattered with palaces, convents and council-houses.

Other attractions for the visitor are the Parish Church of San Miguel, Vidaurreta Monastery and the Town Hall in the Plaza de Los Fueros.

The GI-3591 road will take you up to the slopes of the Aizkorri Mountain Range until you reach a magical place.

ARANTZAZU SANCTUARY which is located on the edge of a precipice, in a natural landscape that oozes spirituality.

It is a religious monument with an avant-garde design, where we can highlight the four iron entrance doors built by Eduardo Chillida, the large altarpiece covering 600 m² by Lucio Muñoz and the modernist paintings in the crypt, which are the work of Néstor Basterretxea.

After the visit you can return to Bilbao from Mondragón along the AP-1 and the A-8.