Akarregi mountain route

We set off from the centre of Markina-Xemein towards Xemein Church. We leave the church on our left and, on the right-hand side of the wall surrounding the abbey, we find the signpost and the path leading towards Mount Akarregi.

Xemein Church

Standing in isolation, this is the parish church shared by the town of Markina and the parish of Xemein. It was donated by the Lord of Bizkaia in 1355; following the resolution of a long-standing conflict with the Lords of Barroeta, the new church could finally be built. Dating from the first half of the 16th century, it was constructed in the ‘hall church’ style, featuring large buttresses and few windows. Its porch is of Gothic design. Designated a National Monument of the Basque Country, its vast interior houses a sumptuous Renaissance altarpiece, structured into a base, four storeys and an attic, with three main sections and four intermediate sections adorned with the characteristic ‘Roman-style’ decoration. In a niche lies the tomb of the Enlightenment figure Xabier Maria de Munibe.

The route continues straight ahead.

The route continues to the left.

Yellow and white.

At this point on the route, on the left-hand side, we recommend stopping for a minute to take in the views of Markina-Xemein.

The route continues to the right.

Yellow and white.

The route continues to the left.

The route continues straight ahead.

We leave the country lane and continue along the tarmac road towards the summit.

Just before reaching the summit, we are treated to some spectacular views.

The route continues to the left.

From the summit of Akarregi, we are treated to some beautiful views of Markina-Xemein and the surrounding area. At the summit, we also find a lovely postbox depicting the Arretxinaga chapel.

To begin the descent, we’ll walk down a short stretch along the same path we took on the way up. At this junction, we’ll leave the tarmac road and head to the right to reach Barroeta and Arretxinaga.

At this point, we are treated to views from which we can see the Barroeta tower and the football pitch.

The route continues to the left.

This descent follows the Way of St James, and we come across signposts for this popular route.

Way of St James.

We leave the country lane behind and continue down this tarmac road.

Along this tarmac road, we’ll make a very steep descent.

Just before reaching the end of the descent, we’ll see Barroeta straight ahead.

On reaching Barroeta, we turn left at the junction. At the top of the road, on the left-hand side, we can see the tower and chapel of Barroeta. On the other side lies the Barroeta football ground, home to Artibai Futbol Taldea.

We continue along the road and arrive at Arretxinaga. At this special spot in Markina-Xemein, there are public toilets and a drinking fountain.

San Miguel de Arretxinaga Chapel

This complex comprising the chapel, town hall and square constitutes the only urban area in what was once the parish of Xemein. The chapel stands where the valley’s two rivers meet. Arretxinaga roughly translates as ‘place where the stones lie’, and its chapel is home to a striking geological formation of hydrothermal rocks. Amongst them, Saint Michael brandishes a spear against the dragon-demon. Its origins date back to the Early Middle Ages, and it was once home to hermits and freilas (nuns of a military order). The chapel visible today is a simple hexagonal structure, built in 1740 to house the large stones.