1
After looking at our route on the information panel, we will leave the bus stop and head towards the frontón, or Basque pelota court. From there, we will take the uphill country road that goes uphill to Kortazar, leaving the parking area to our right. After walking a few metres, we leave the ruins of a farmhouse to our left and the paved road, and take a dirt path that goes uphill to a gravel path. Here we turn to the left and proceed upwards through planted pine trees. Around ten minutes later, at the edge of some planted eucalyptus, we will come to a path painted red and white, indicating the GR-123 (return to Biscay). We take that path going through eucalyptus, pine trees, holme oak and chestnut trees, following the sign to Zatika, until we come to the village.
2
When we arrive at Zatika, we pass the farmhouses to our left and go down the cement road through vegetable plots and orchards, overlooking a splendid view of Lekeitio Bay. until we come to the Lekeitio-Gernika road. We cross the road and continue our route along a paved road that goes uphill to Artika and Kurtziaga. Eventually, we will come to a sign announcing that we have arrived at Kurtziaga.
3
A few metres further on, we will come to a crossroads in front to the Agarre farmhouse, where we join the GR-38.1 road. We will continue straight uphill, passing two large oak trees on our left, and take the dirt trait to the right. After a few metres, we will come to two roads. We will take the uphill road to our right, entering Arrakis land, and continue our route, crossing several fences among pine, oak and chestnuttrees. following the marks made with red and yellow paint. After around thirty minutes, we will come to a crossroads from which we will see a group of farmhouses. We take the track to our left and will soon come to the Lekeitio-Gernika road.
4
A few metres away from that road, in the direction of Gernika, we will go downhill to our right, taking the country road towards the Txumutegi farmhouse. Next, we will pass the Axpe farmhouse on our left, a 16th century Gothic building, and turn left. After walking a few metres, we will pass the Legortza farmhouse, and then come to a road to our right, heading towards the centre in Ispaster where our route ends. Near the Legortza farmhouse, we will find the hermitage of Santiago.
Points of interest
A ROUTE AROUND ELEXALDE
Time: 45 minutes
From the bus stop, we will head towards the Santiago hermitage, following the paved road. Before coming to the hermitage, we will take the first turn to the left.
We will pass the Legortza farmhouse on our right arid continue until we come to Larrinaga. We will pass the Larringa farmhouse on our left and the Arana house-tower on our right and go downhill until we come to the main road, which we will follow until we arrive back in Elexalde, the end of our route.
SAN MIGUEL CHURCH (15th CENTURY)
This 15th century church is a perfect example of a single aisle Renaissance temple. The shape of the apse can be seen on the outside of the church, as well as the high chapels between the buttresses.
Towards the end of the church, the tower with its four tiers stands out from the façade.
The steeple disappeared in 1860, when it was hit by lightening that also destroyed part of the roof, the master wall, part of the vault, the choir and the organ. When the church was rebuilt, a neoclassic tower replaced the steeple.
Inside the church you will find a large Baroque altarpiece by José Eguskiza and an even more valuable wooden, polychrome altarpiece in the “Romanist” style.
THE TOWN HALL
A masonry building with liberal use of cornerstones, windows and segmented arch that leads to the porch. It was built in 1817, with seven constructions added on at a later date.
Over the balcony there is an inscription that reads, “yspaster Town Hall, built in 1813 as a military hospital for the Biscay Volunteers and burned down by the French for that reason. Rebuilt by Yspaster in 1817”.
THE ISPASTER BASIN
At Ispaster and Mount Otoio, we will find a very particular landscape called a karst terrain, caused by the chemical aggression of water on limestone. The most common manifestations of this are dolines, oval depressions that frequently have curving contours. Several adjacent dolines may eventually join each other and form a basin as in the case of the depression where Ispaster is located. This area lacks a proper river network because the water runs underground.
The aquifer is replenished by rainwater that filters through a series of pits.
THE AIXPE AURREKOA FARMHOUSE
A Gothic framhouse built during the first quarter of the 16th century, with a wooden framework and a façade in three sections. The middle section has a covered porch, while the two side sections are made of masonry with smaill pointed arches for ventilation.
Although it has been renovated, the farmhouse has kept its historical structure intact. It is still the oldest farmhouse in the region.
THE SANTIAGO HERMITAGE
A large, rectangular Gothic hermitage with a gabled roof, built in 1500. It has thick masonry walls with two pointed arch entry doors.
Besides the arched doors, there are also two loopholes and two lintelled windows.
Under the roof, an opening on one of the side walls holds a bell.
The masonry walls are edged with cornerstones. In the Renaissance, some renovations took place but they did not interfere with the overall appearance of the hermitage. Inside there is a choir and a wooden vault over the presbytery.
SAINT MARTIN HERMITAGE (15TH CENTURY)
A solitary Gothic hermitage with a simple rectangular structure and a gabled roof. In one of the side walls there is a pointed door with engravings of several crosses.
The hermitge also has two loopholes and a lintelled window, and an opening with a bell finishing with a cross, masonry walls and cornerstones. The statue of Saint Martin was lost in a fire in 1984. The hermitage was restores in 1985.
The hermit´s dwelling is added on to the back of the hermitage.
THE ARANA MANSION (1700)
A classic Baroque country mansion, with a good ashlar façade framed by two towers on either side, that is accessed through an arched porch, similar to 18th century farmhouses.
Actually, the mansion is the extension of a Gothic farmhouse built in 1500. It still preserves a Gothic door at the rear.
The mansion was the birthplace of Jacinto Arana, inquisitor and bishop of Zamora.
Lea Artibaiko Garapen Agentzia
Xemein Etorbidea, 12. 48270 Markina-Xemein
Trekking
Time: 45 minutesTX.jpg)
This 15th century church is a perfect example of a single aisle Renaissance temple. The shape of the apse can be seen on the outside of the church, as well as the high chapels between the buttresses.TX.jpg)
A masonry building with liberal use of cornerstones, windows and segmented arch that leads to the porch. It was built in 1817, with seven constructions added on at a later date.
At Ispaster and Mount Otoio, we will find a very particular landscape called a karst terrain, caused by the chemical aggression of water on limestone. The most common manifestations of this are dolines, oval depressions that frequently have curving contours. Several adjacent dolines may eventually join each other and form a basin as in the case of the depression where Ispaster is located. This area lacks a proper river network because the water runs underground.
A Gothic framhouse built during the first quarter of the 16th century, with a wooden framework and a façade in three sections. The middle section has a covered porch, while the two side sections are made of masonry with smaill pointed arches for ventilation.TX.jpg)
A large, rectangular Gothic hermitage with a gabled roof, built in 1500. It has thick masonry walls with two pointed arch entry doors.TX.jpg)
A solitary Gothic hermitage with a simple rectangular structure and a gabled roof. In one of the side walls there is a pointed door with engravings of several crosses.tx.jpg)
A classic Baroque country mansion, with a good ashlar façade framed by two towers on either side, that is accessed through an arched porch, similar to 18th century farmhouses.
