Otxandio, Bizkaia – Mountain Village on the GR® 38 Route

Wooded hills, upland terrain, and the approach to Basque mountain landscapes

Otxandio lies along the GR® 38 Wine & Fish Route at the boundary between Álava and Bizkaia, where reservoir landscapes give way to greener hills and the first true mountain terrain of the journey. Arriving from Legutio and the Ullíbarri-Gamboa reservoir, the route begins to climb into wooded slopes and upland countryside that signal the transition toward the Basque mountain ranges.

The town sits in a broad upland basin surrounded by forested hills and rising ridgelines. Pasture and scattered farmsteads occupy the lower ground, while mixed woodland and higher slopes form a landscape that feels distinctly more mountainous than the plains to the south.

Approaching Otxandio, the GR® 38 follows rural roads, forest tracks, and quiet country lanes through rolling terrain. Gradients become more noticeable, and the presence of woodland and higher ground creates a cooler, greener atmosphere compared with earlier stages.

Otxandio provides useful services for walkers, including accommodation, places to eat, and small shops. Its position at the threshold of the mountains makes it a practical stopping point before the route climbs further into upland terrain.

Beyond the town, the GR® 38 continues north toward Durango, entering landscapes shaped by limestone ridges and protected mountain areas including Urkiola Natural Park, where the terrain becomes steeper and more rugged.