Urko Route | From Markina-Xemein to Etxebarria

From the centre of Markina-Xemein, we’ll set off on the Urko route. Specifically, from the Portal de Irureta or the Prado area (Zelaigunea).

Here we’ll find buildings of interest, including:

Other interesting places

We set off from the lower part of the Prado (Zelaia), situated in the centre of Markina-Xemein. We pass the playground (swings) and carry on straight ahead. At the top of the Prado, you can visit Torre Bidarte Park. This public park is the woodland surrounding Murga Palace. Specifically, at the end of the esplanade stands the building known as Murga Palace or Torre Bidarte. Murga Palace is a Baroque palace that conceals a medieval tower. The building is constructed of ashlar masonry up to the first floor, whilst the second floor features Rococo-style paintings.

We leave Torre Bidarte on our right and carry on towards Etxebarria. We pass the junction leading to the Iturreta neighbourhood. A few metres further on, on the right, we can see the entrance to Munibe Palace.

The start of the Urko route is situated within one of the walled sections of Munibe Palace. Here you will find three information panels:

1. Notes on using the Urko footpath.
2. Memoria Lekuak/Places of Memory: this is a project launched by the Ahaztuen Oroimena Association (Memory of the Forgotten) in Etxebarria. An initiative designed to shed light on years of silence and to remember the people of Etxebarria who were killed during the Civil War. The first, at the start of this route, is that of Benito Agapito Bereziartua.
3. Information panel at the Munibe Palace.

The path (bidegorri) that runs alongside the River Urko will guide us throughout the entire route.

We’ll set off on this route in the shade of oak groves, plane trees, acacias, ash trees and pines.

We climbed the only hill we came across on the way and, to our left, we came across a pretty stone bridge. To the right is the signpost for the path leading to Munibe Palace.

Sheltered within a rock formation, we’ll find an altar with an image of Our Lady of Lourdes.

When the River Urko is low, the waterfall is accessible.

Along the route, we’ll come across several wooden bridges spanning small streams that flow into the River Urko.

The Ansotegi ironworks is one of the best-preserved sites in the whole of Lea-Artibai. The Ansotegi Tower, which was the residence of the family who owned the property, the ironworks building (now converted into a rural hotel), the hydraulic infrastructure, the mill and the bridge make up this historic site. The medieval ironworks closed in the early 19th century, but the small mill remained in operation until the 1950s.

At this point on the route, we can see sheep and donkeys in the field to the left, whilst on the right-hand side there is a drinking fountain.

Along the Urko trail, you can see various types of animals. Locals also refer to it as ‘the little Cabarceno’, as you can spot sheep, donkeys, horses and goats along the route…

At this point on the route, the animals in the field by the farmhouse on the left approach visitors. Walkers often bring the odd carrot for these animals that come so close.

Where the route continues uphill, there is another information panel about Juan José Idoeta Solozabala, part of the Memoria Lekuak (Places of Memory) project run by the Ahaztuen Oroimena Association.

Just before reaching Etxebarria, we come across a recreational area: a place for adults to do exercise, a skate park, water fountains and a picnic area with wooden tables.

At this point on the route, you can turn back and return along the same path you’ve taken, or head left towards Etxebarria, following the cycle path and extending the route slightly.

If you continue right along the cycle path, you’ll reach the Barinaga neighbourhood in Markina-Xemein.

At this junction, there are information boards about the route and points of interest.

If, at the junction, you decide to take the bidegorri to the left, you’ll see more animals and return to the recreational area. From there, continue to the right and you’ll return to Markina-Xemein via the same route you took earlier.