Gernika-Lumo, Bizkaia – Historic Town in the Urdaibai Biosphere on the GR® 38 Route

Estuary landscapes, Basque heritage, and the transition toward the Atlantic coast

Gernika-Lumo lies along the GR® 38 Wine & Fish Route in Bizkaia at the heart of the Urdaibai estuary, where inland valleys open into tidal waterways, wetlands, and coastal landscapes. Arriving from rural Bizkaia, the route reaches a landscape shaped by river channels, marshland, and broad estuarine horizons that signal the approach to the Bay of Biscay.

The town sits beside the Oka River within the Urdaibai UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a protected landscape known for its ecological importance and bird habitats. Surrounding wetlands, tidal flats, and wooded hills create a varied environment where freshwater and marine systems meet.

Gernika-Lumo holds deep cultural significance in Basque history. The historic assembly house and the Tree of Gernika symbolise Basque self-governance and identity, while the town’s history has made it one of the most recognised cultural centres in the region.

Approaching Gernika-Lumo, the GR® 38 follows quiet country lanes and riverside paths through increasingly flat terrain. The shift from enclosed valleys to open estuarine space creates a strong sense of arrival at the coastal watershed.

Gernika-Lumo provides a full range of services including accommodation, restaurants, shops, and transport connections, making it a practical staging point before the final stages toward the coast.

Leaving the town, the GR® 38 continues north through the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve toward Mundaka and Bermeo, where tidal landscapes give way to open sea and the Atlantic shoreline.