Basque mountain loops around Orduña

Route details

Round trip from Vitoria-Gasteiz through the western Basque Country with the Puerto de Orduña as the highlight. Around 100 km through hilly hinterland, historic valleys and over one of the most famous Basque Mountain passes.

This 101 km Round trip starts and ends in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Spanish Basque Country. The route first leads westwards through the Alavesian plateau, past Nanclares de la Oca towards Valdegovía. This valley in the far west of the province of Álava is sparsely populated and offers quiet side roads with little traffic. The route runs through a landscape characterized by alternating Mediterranean and Atlantic climates.

The cycling highlight of the Tour is the Puerto de Orduña, one of the most famous Basque Mountain passes. The Mountain pass is considered one of the three classics of the province of Bizkaia and connects the Orduña valley with the Castilian plateau. Over a length of 7.2 km, the road overcomes around 575 Elevation gain with an average gradient of just under 8%. The Hairpins are mostly easy to negotiate and the road surface is generally in good condition with occasional repairs. Historically, this Mountain pass was the most important trade route between the Basque Country and Castile.

Orduña itself lies in a basin enclosed by mountains at the foot of the Sierra Salvada. The old town was declared a protected monument in 1997 and is ideal for a short break. In the immediate vicinity is the Salto del Nervión, an impressive waterfall with a drop of almost 300 m - particularly worth seeing after rainfall or when the snow melts.

The return journey is via Arespalditza and Ametzaga Zuia, where the route leads through the Zuia Valley back to Vitoria-Gasteiz. This section is less demanding, with a wider road and gentler bends. The traffic volume here is also low, mainly agricultural traffic.

The road surface varies: Main roads are well developed, secondary roads in Valdegovía are narrower in places and have an older surface. On the Puerto de Orduña, the asphalt is intact, but you should be prepared for game crossing. The Tour is suitable for riders with some experience, but is not overly technically demanding. For Adventure bike riders, the region around Monte Santiago also offers unpaved roads as optional Detours.