Km 0

The Atxuri Greenway, developed by the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia (Vizcaya Provincial Council), starts in the historic town of Mungia. More precisely it starts in the lower part of Uriguen Park, next to the recreational area, the children’s playground, and the car park on the west side of the park. This green area, perched on a hill, is shaded by some very old trees, both exotic and indigenous, forming a veritable arboretum in which the species of some of the trees are identified by plaques. For the enjoyment of the park’s visitors a number of paths have been laid out, inviting us to climb to the top of the park and visit the Caserío de Landetxo Goikoa (a 16th century country house), considered to be the oldest in Vizcaya. Once a year the peace of the Uriguen gardens is shattered by the local festivities; a competition to find the best sukalki (a meat and potato stew) is held in the confines of the park. If you are lucky enough to arrive in Mungia that day, congratulations.

Following the instructions of the ibilbidea (itinerary), from Telmo Zarra Etxetaldea street, and with your back to the children’s playground, the Greenway sets out between the most recent urban developments of Mungia and green meadowlands. After crossing the Atxuri stream and passing under the Derio-Mungia motorway (BI-631), the route embarks on a long straight running between the embankment of the motorway and the river with its wake of ash trees, oaks, poplars, hazel bushes, maples, alders and willows. These trees lend colour to the Autumn and strew their leaves on the three lanes painted on the tarmac. The Atxuri stream is one of the many small watercourses which furrow these lands before feeding into the Butrón, a proper river which provides the backbone to the rural district of Mungia.

Although their flow is scant, these small streams bring water to the rich fruit and vegetable croplands and pastures. They also used to have more than enough force to power the wheels of the mills and the hammers of the ironworks. The wealth of the land was evidenced by the loads of farm produce – milk, calves, vegetables– and other goods which used to fill the trains heading to market in the capital city.

At kilometre 0.6 we pass by the town’s Atxuri district, which in the past was solely devoted to livestock and agriculture. A bridge over the river and its prolongation in the form of a short concreted path diverts us briefly towards this district.

Once again on the old rail bed, a little before kilometre 1 we pass by the dirt road which leads to the Atxuri mill (Atxuriko errota). Mungia used to have over twenty mills, and was the biggest flour producer of the area. Of those twenty or so mills only four remain in production, the Atxuri mill unfortunately not being one of them.

Km 1,1

The Greenway passes under the motorway and hugging the river the railway describes a short sweeping curve before embarking on another long straight. This second straight is just as flat as the first, but even more pleasant as it takes us away from the drone of the vehicles driving along the motorway and into the meadowland occupying the right hand bank of the river in the modest Atxuri valley. The water meadow is flanked by a line of gentle grassy hills dotted with pine, oak and eucalyptus groves. This section is so pleasant and flat that it is a great favourite with the local people of Mungia who, come rain or shine, flock to it to take a stroll nearly every day.

Km 2

The trail bends left and arrives at the old Apeadero* de Zabalondo (km 2), whose gate house is still home to the descendents of the man who used to be responsible for raising and lowering the gates of the level crossing on the rural road to Laukariz. After carefully crossing to the other side of the road, we start to climb a tarmacked section of Greenway, the steepest incline on the route, which leads us away from the river Atxuri. The locomotives, coal fired until 1952, used to have to give it all they had to cover the 12 kilometre incline in 50 minutes.

The steep climb gives way to a tight turn around the Zabalondo industrial estate. The industrial workshops obscure our view of the valley so all our attention is turned towards the meadowlands and low rolling hills to our left. On our way round Zabalondo we cross the road which climbs up to the Olena reservoir (km 2.7), whose tranquil waters are bordered by a pretty country lane.

Km 3

The final section is different; it’s the cherry on the cake. The trail nestles into a mountainous tree covered hillside and takes on the appearance of a lofty balcony overlooking the broad valley of the river Butrón. From this privileged position we are afforded panoramic views of green pastureland, country houses and gentle rolling hills. The route finishes at an area of open ground overlooking the motorway, at the foot of Mount Artebakarra.