Zelaieta: Birdwatching and Hiking Routes

Zelaieta in Bizkaia is a destination for anyone interested in birdwatching, hiking and local festival traditions. The Urdaibai Bird Center, several routes and a series of festivals in September offer different starting points for planning a trip. The hiking trails vary considerably in length, duration and difficulty rating.

Birdwatching at the Urdaibai Bird Center

The Urdaibai Bird Center is located in Zelaieta (Bizkaia). From the center's car park, a birdwatching circuit leads to two birdwatching sites managed by the center. Maintenance work may affect access conditions; check them before your visit.

The Ruta de la Marisma runs alongside the Urdaibai Bird Center and passes close to two small birdwatching sites. The route descriptions differ for planning purposes: the circuit is described as starting at the car park and ending at the managed observation sites. The Ruta de la Marisma is characterized by its course alongside the center and its proximity to the small observation sites.

Hiking routes and how they differ

The Zelaieta – San Martín – San Pedro de Atxarre route is 16.2 km long, takes about 3 hours and 16 minutes, and is rated easy. It ends at a viewpoint overlooking the Ría estuary at San Pedro de Atxarre. This route therefore has both an approximate time estimate and a specific destination to help with orientation.

The San Miguel de Ereñozar route is 6.87 km long, takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and is rated difficult. From the Zelaieta district, it follows a steep path through the holm oak forest to the summit of Ereñozar, where the San Miguel chapel stands.

By comparison, the San Miguel de Ereñozar route is shorter and has a lower estimated duration, but is rated more difficult than the 16.2 km route. The destinations also differ: this trail follows a steep forest path to the summit and chapel, while the other ends at a viewpoint overlooking the estuary. Compare the distance, approximate duration and difficulty rating separately when choosing. Check the route measurements and difficulty ratings locally before setting out.

Local festival traditions in September

As part of the local festival traditions, 2 September, the feast day of Saint Antolin, is associated with a sung Mass and a pilgrimage to the San Antolín chapel. The festival celebrations continue on 3 and 4 September. If you would like to time your stay to coincide with the festivities, check the current event dates in advance.

Getting to the Bird Center by bus

The bus stop for visiting the Urdaibai Bird Center is named “1855 – Zelaieta (Gauteguiz-Arteaga)”. It is on the Bilbao – Hospital Galdakano – Gernika-Lumo – Ea – Lekeitio route. The associated code is listed as A3513. The code identifies the bus stop; it is not the name of the route. As bus stop and route details may change, check them before your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Gautegiz Arteaga.