Izartza brings together outdoor routes, viewpoints and remarkable buildings for a range of travel interests. When planning a stay, you can first decide what matters to you: Routes 3 and 6 differ in the time required and difficulty, while Aresti and Artxanda offer different kinds of views. The chapel, farmhouse and palace provide a cultural and historical perspective; in November, the agricultural, livestock and crafts fair in Sondika is another option. This lets you choose activity, landscape, architectural heritage or an event date as your focus.

Routes by time and difficulty

Route 3 is 3.34 kilometres long, rated easy and listed as taking 45 minutes. Route 6 covers 8.49 kilometres, is considered moderately difficult and is estimated to take two hours. The stated durations differ by 75 minutes; the routes also differ in length by 5.15 kilometres. The rating also changes from easy to moderately difficult. So, if you are choosing based on the time available and difficulty, there are two clearly distinct cycling route profiles to choose from. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out.

Route 3 in Sondika runs along Izarza Bidea; the TXO11 Sondika walking route passes Izartza. The difference is specific: one description refers to Izarza Bidea, while the other describes a route passing Izartza.

Views and routes

Route 5 offers panoramic views of the neighbourhoods of Sangroniz and Izarza from the rural settlement of Aresti. Vegetation and visibility may vary. Artxanda offers a different perspective: from the hill, there are sweeping views of the area’s capital and its surroundings. The route from Sondika town centre to Izarza also reaches Artxanda. If you are choosing based on the view, Aresti foregrounds the two named neighbourhoods, while Artxanda offers wide views of the capital and its surroundings.

Architectural heritage in Izarza

The Chapel of San Martín in Izarza is a building in a vernacular style, set in attractive surroundings. Kaminoa is one of the notable farmhouses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries; Palacio Urkiaga is a notable palace from the following century. To compare the architectural history, you can consider two aspects separately: the building type—chapel, farmhouse or palace—and the period, which progresses from the 16th and 17th centuries for Kaminoa to the following century for Urkiaga.

November fair in Sondika

In November, the agricultural, livestock and crafts fair in Sondika includes, among other things, tastings of Txakoli and Idiazabal cheese. The event combines a broad range of fair themes with two specific tastings. For travellers who consider food and local tradition when planning a trip, November is the relevant time of year. Check the dates and annual programme before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Etxebarria, Murueta, Ibarrangelu, Zamudio, Ziortza-Bolibar, Muskiz, Elorrio, Butroi

For the broader travel overview: Bizkaia.