A spectacular route along the cliffs of the Biscay coast, passing wild beaches, sea-sculpted rocks, green meadows and panoramic views of the ocean. The route passes Punta Galea Lighthouse and reaches the ruins of Fuerte de La Galea, with the option of continuing to Getxo and from there travelling on to Bilbao.
  • Why we love it
    Because it is one of those walks where the scenery is constantly changing, without requiring a real mountain hike. The route starts in Sopela with an initial uphill section, after which the trail becomes mostly flat, although there are still a few ups and downs. For almost the entire walk, the coast remains in view: below, you can see the cliffs, beaches, rocks and sea, while behind you stretches the green landscape of the Basque Country. One of the highlights is observing the coast's geological formations, shaped by marine erosion and made up of layers of rock that tell the geological story of this part of Biscay. The stretch of cliffs between Punta Galea, Sopela, Barrika, Plentzia and Gorliz is in fact recognised as one of the main areas of geological interest in the Basque Country.
  • Travelling time: About 2 hours
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 8 km
  • Total Elevation Gain: 150 m
  • Way to travel: On foot
  • Cost: 0
  • Our Advice: Wear comfortable shoes and, if possible, choose a clear, calm day. Stop often at the viewpoints: here, the beauty lies not in reaching the destination, but in taking the time to look around.

Map of the itinerary, from Sopela to Punta Galea

From Sopela towards the cliffs

Our itinerary starts in Sopela, one of the most beautiful coastal towns near Bilbao.

The town is best known for its beaches and surfing, but just a little way from the beach area, you find yourself in a completely different landscape: trails, meadows, cliffs and an ocean that seems to stretch on forever.

At first, you have to tackle an uphill section, but it is short, and soon the trail opens up onto the coast.

From that point onwards, the most spectacular part begins.

Uphill trail with spectacular views of the coast, rocks, sea and high cliffs.
The trail climbs and offers spectacular views of the coast, with cliffs, rocks and the blue sea. Photo by Silvia Ombellini

Walking above the ocean

The trail follows the cliffs, offering views of the coast from above.

Below, beaches and rocks come into view, while the Cantabrian Sea stretches out before you. In some places, the cliffs are particularly high and spectacular; in others, the terrain slopes gently down towards small coves.

This is a walk to take slowly, because practically every bend offers a new viewpoint.

The coast around Sopela is considered one of the most striking in Biscay, precisely because of its succession of cliffs, beaches and natural landscapes.

And although the route does not present any particular technical difficulties, it is important to stay well away from the edge of the cliffs, especially when it is windy or the ground is wet.

Spectacular cliff overlooking the Cantabrian Sea, with rocks and open sea.
The spectacular cliffs overlooking the Cantabrian Sea, shaped by wind and waves. Photo by S. Ombellini

Rocks that tell the story of the Earth

One of the most interesting things about this route is that you are not simply admiring a beautiful landscape.

The rocks along the Biscay coast tell a long geological story.

The layers visible along the cliffs have been progressively exposed by marine erosion. The large area of geological interest that begins at Punta Galea and continues through Sopela, Barrika, Plentzia and Gorliz is identified by Basque tourism authorities as one of the region's main geological areas.

We are not in the famous Basque Coast Geopark of Zumaia, Deba and Mutriku, but the same type of geological interest associated with rock formations and marine erosion can also be found along this part of the coast. Turismo Euskadi identifies the stretch of cliffs that extends from Punta Galea, in Getxo, through Sopela, Barrika, Plentzia and Gorliz to Armintza as one of the areas of geological interest along the Basque coast.

It is one of those places where a walk can almost turn into an open-air geology lesson.

Map of the coastal route showing the main directions and stages of the itinerary.
Map of the itinerary with the main directions along the coastal route. Photo by S. Ombellini

Towards Punta Galea Lighthouse

Continuing along the trail, you reach Punta Galea, where the lighthouse comes into view.

The current lighthouse dates from 1950 and replaced earlier lighthouses that were damaged or had to be replaced because of landslides along the cliffs.

The lighthouse occupies a spectacular position, overlooking the sea and the Abra of Bilbao, the wide inlet where the port and the mouth of the estuary are located.

It is one of the places where it is truly worth stopping.

From here, on clear days, you can watch maritime traffic entering and leaving the port and look along the coast as it continues towards Sopela.

Detail of the upper part of Punta Galea Lighthouse, with its lantern atop the stone tower.
Detail of the lantern of Punta Galea Lighthouse, overlooking the cliffs of the Basque coast. Photo by S. Ombellini

Fuerte de La Galea

A little beyond the lighthouse, you reach Fuerte de La Galea, a fortification built in the 18th century to protect the entrance to the Bilbao estuary.

Today, only its ruins remain, surrounded by the coastal landscape.

Together with the lighthouse and the Aixerrota Windmill, the fort forms part of the historic heritage that characterises the route between Getxo and Sopela.

Reaching this point is already a wonderful way to end the walk: after following the line of the cliffs for kilometres, you find yourself in front of a historic military structure overlooking the ocean.

Fuerte de La Galea photographed along the return route, surrounded by vegetation and coastal scenery.
Fuerte de La Galea seen from the trail on the return journey. The 18th-century fort is one of the historic landmarks that characterise the Getxo coast. Photo by S. Ombellini

And if you still feel like walking...

The great thing is that you don't have to stop at the fort. The coastal route can continue towards Getxo, following the seafront and passing several other viewpoints. The official coastal route includes Punta Galea, the lighthouse, the ruins of the fort and then continues towards Aixerrota, Arrigunaga and the historic centre of Algorta.

From here, you can also reach Bilbao by public transport, turning the walk into a full-day excursion starting from Bilbao and returning to the city.

We particularly recommend this option for those who want to visit Bilbao without giving up a day in nature.

Coastal landscape seen from the trail, with Bilbao and its urban area visible in the distance.
From the coastal trail, the landscape opens out towards the Bilbao area, visible in the distance beyond the coast and the mouth of the Nervión. Photo by S. Ombellini

A walk through the sea, geology and history

What makes this itinerary special is the combination of elements encountered along the way: Sopelana with its beaches famous for surfing, cliffs and geological formations overlooking the ocean, Punta Galea with its lighthouse and views over the Abra, Fuerte de La Galea with its history and fortifications, Getxo and Aixerrota with their spectacular cliffs and coastline, and finally Bilbao and the city itself, if you decide to continue.

It is not simply a scenic walk. It is a journey through the landscape, geology and history of the Basque coast. And perhaps the most beautiful moment is when, walking along the trail, you realise that for a few hours Bilbao seems a world away, even though it is actually right there, on the other side of the Abra.