Urkiola Pass & Sanctuary, Bizkaia – Mountain Landscapes on the GR® 38 Route

Limestone peaks, high pasture, and a historic sanctuary in Urkiola Natural Park

Urkiola Pass lies along the GR® 38 Wine & Fish Route within Urkiola Natural Park, where the journey crosses a dramatic mountain landscape defined by limestone ridges, forested slopes, and high pasture. The pass forms a natural gateway between the interior uplands and the greener valleys of Bizkaia, marking one of the most striking transitions along the route.

At the centre of the pass stands the Sanctuary of Saints Anthony (Santuario de Urkiola), a historic religious site that has long served as a gathering place and waypoint for travellers crossing the mountains. Set beneath towering limestone peaks, the sanctuary provides a strong cultural focal point within a landscape shaped by geology, tradition, and seasonal pastoral use.

The surrounding terrain is characterised by rugged limestone formations, steep ridges, and mixed woodland. Nearby summits such as Anboto rise sharply above the pass, forming part of one of the most recognisable mountain skylines in the Basque Country. Open meadows and grazing land soften the high ground, while forested slopes descend into sheltered valleys.

Approaching Urkiola, the GR® 38 follows forest tracks and mountain paths through increasingly rugged terrain. Gradients become steeper than earlier stages, and the presence of exposed rock and high ground signals a transition into true mountain walking conditions.

The sanctuary area offers facilities including a visitor centre, rest areas, and places to eat, making it a natural stopping point before descending toward Durango and the valleys beyond.

Beyond the pass, the GR® 38 continues north through wooded slopes and limestone landscapes toward Durango, where the terrain begins to soften as the route leaves the high mountain environment.