Oiz Middle Distance Challenge
- The Coast of Bizkaia
The middle-distance route of the Oiz Challenge
Oiz Middle Distance Challenge
The Coast of Bizkaia
There’s a middle-distance route of the Oiz Challenge, the bicycle touring event that is held every year in the Urdaibai area in June.
This is the most popular and well attended of the three routes and it runs along both sides of Urdaibai. It runs along both sides of Urdaibai, on the one hand, the region of Uribe Kosta and, on the other, Lea-Artibai, with Urdaibai acting as a link between the two. In the first half, the route passes through Bakio and with views of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, then returning to Gernika via Bermeo and Mundaka. The second half runs along the right bank of Urdaibai, with spectacular views of the wetlands and the beaches of Laida and Laga.
Like the short route, the journey follows the coast to Lekeitio, from where it returns inland to Lea-Artibai to head back to Gernika. The return journey runs along the coast to Lekeitio and then inland along the slopes of Mount Oiz and up to the Balcony of Bizkaia to finish in Gernika again.
For more information and to sign up, please visit: OIZ MIDDLE DISTANCE CHALLENGE
Departure
Bermeo
Arrival
Bermeo
Difficulty
High
Bermeo
Bakio Pass
Matxitxako viewpoint
Bermeo
Views of the marshes
Balcony of Bizkaia
What to see on the route?
The part of this route that no cyclist will forget is undoubtedly the gruelling climb from Bakio to the Matxitxako viewpoint. It’s only four kilometres and the views are spectacular, but the elevation differences up the slopes are something you’ll remember for the rest of your life…
The remainder of the route is beautiful: coastal roads, views of the marshes and beaches of Urdaibai and winding inland roads that will take you up to the Balcony of Bizkaia, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the entire Urdaibai reserve.
Gernika-Lumo
Town
Bakio Pass
Matxitxako
viewpoint
Bermeo
Views of the marshes
Balcony of Bizkaia
Urdaibai, cycling paradise
Biosphere Reserve
Looking for an exceptionally beautiful destination to enjoy cycling? Come and visit Urdaibai, the Biosphere Reserve of the Basque Country. Spectacular roads on which to enjoy the beauty of Urdabai by bike.
