Mallabia lies at the foot of 1,026-metre-high Mount Oiz. Two areas are worth focusing on when planning your trip: trails through the landscape, and the town’s churches, hermitages and cultural traditions. This can help you decide whether the mountain and outdoor activities, or historic buildings and festivals, will set the tone for your stay. Each offers specific, distinct places and experiences.
Mount Oiz, Trails and Landscape
At 1,026 metres high, Mount Oiz shapes the landscape around Mallabia. A trail leads from Mallabia to the summit. The town’s natural surroundings also offer opportunities for climbing. The mountain is therefore a focal point both for a hike with the summit as its destination and for outdoor activities.
Another option is the circular route between Ermua and Mallabia. It passes the Errekalde recreation area, where swimming is possible in summer. These two suggestions offer different experiences: the trail from Mallabia centres on the summit of Mount Oiz, while the circular route includes Errekalde and its seasonal swimming option. Check local conditions for swimming before your trip.
The districts also help you get your bearings in Mallabia’s landscape. Areitio, which is part of the main settlement area, is surrounded by green meadows. From Zengotita, you can enjoy a view of Mallabia and its valleys. These offer different perspectives on the area: views of Mallabia and the valleys from one of its districts, as well as trails leading to Mount Oiz and through the surrounding natural landscape.
Churches and Cultural Heritage
The Oiz megalithic complex extends into Mallabia and is classified as a monumental ensemble. In Mallabia itself, the Church of the Assumption has origins dating back to the 11th century. Inside is a Baroque altarpiece. Beside the parish church stands the Palacio Amézaga—together, the two buildings are a distinctive landmark in the town centre and a starting point for exploring Mallabia’s cultural heritage.
Other historic sites are located in the districts. Gerea is home to the medieval Church of San Adrián, which dates from the 16th century. In Goita are the medieval temple and the 11th-century San Juan de Goita necropolis. Together, these examples offer different historical reference points within Mallabia: the Assumption’s origins dating back to the 11th century, the 16th-century church in Gerea and the site in Goita.
Festivals and Rural Traditions
Many hermitages in Mallabia are associated with their own festivals. Pilgrimage festivals at the rural hermitages continue to bring locals and visitors together. These celebrations are part of a living local tradition. If you’d like to experience culture beyond its buildings, these customs offer a different way in: they connect the hermitages with community gatherings.
Rural sports are also part of Mallabia’s traditions. These include ox trials and harrijasotzailes, or stone-lifting competitions. For a culturally focused trip, there are several different themes to explore: historic buildings associated with different centuries, festivals at hermitages and traditional sporting competitions. The Andramari festival is celebrated in Mallabia on August 15. If you’re travelling to attend, check the event dates before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Sestao, Ziortza-Bolibar, Plentzia, Areatza, Valle De Trápaga, Gatika, Nabarniz, Trucios-Turtzioz.
Go to the main travel overview: Bizkaia.
