Opening of the new stretch of green walkway to connect Bermeo and Mundaka

26/10/2023

As of today, the pedestrian route spanning approximately 500 metres connects the centre of Bermeo with the existing cycle way to Mundaka 

The Basque Government's investment of €2 M aims to improve the quality of life and promote sustainable mobility in the Biosphere Reserve, as well as providing pedestrian and cycle accessibility to all towns in this area

The new green walkway between Bermeo and Mundaka is now a reality, and will improve connectivity within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. In total, it is a new 500-metre stretch that will give an important boost to sustainable mobility, providing pedestrian and cycle accessibility to all towns in this area. The Basque Government has invested €1,966,445 (VAT included) in the works, which have lasted approximately 9 months.

The Deputy Regional Minister for Environmental Sustainability, Aitor Aldasoro, pointed out that: "With the opening of the new walkway, we are taking an important step in the sustainable connectivity of a strategic area such as the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. As of today, two municipalities on the left bank of the Biosphere Reserve will be fully connected by a pedestrian route. It is undoubtedly an investment that will help reduce emissions, foster slow mobility in the area and meet the goals set within the 2030 Agenda".

According to Aldasoro: "It is essential that we create green walkways like this. Even more so, in protected and strategic areas, such as Urdaibai. The section we are adding today will join the existing 40 kilometres of pedestrian routes. The aim is to create a network of paths that provide pedestrian connections and visits to places of interest, enabling traffic to be channelled in such a way that it does not cause disturbance to the natural environment, in addition to providing a tourist asset to the cultural and natural heritage of Urdaibai".

With this new walkway, Bermeo City Council and the Basque Government continue the works that have already been completed in the natural space of Tonpoi, which has been open to the public since 2022. The latter is an action within the framework of the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project, which has required more than 2 years of work and has recovered an area of high environmental value.

Aldasoro was accompanied on the visit by the Mayoress of Bermeo, Nadia Nemeh, the Director of Natural Heritage and Climate Change, Adolfo Uriarte, and the Director of the Board of Trustees of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, Nicolás García-Borreguero.

Project Description

The Green Infrastructure Itinerary Project for the Promotion of Slow Mobility in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve in Bermeo seeks to establish a green area and a pedestrian route that will serve as a prelude to the infrastructure that runs through the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.

The project has been developed in the stretch between Calle Txibitxiaga, which serves as access to Bermeo from the BI-2235 road coming from Mundaka, and the Euskotren train tracks on the Bilbao-Bermeo line.

It is an area made up of several platforms at different heights, many of which are the result of the demolition of old sub-standard housing. The solution implemented aims to generate a natural route parallel to the existing pavement, but separated from it and crossing the green area. The aim is to create a landscaped and environmental ensemble by means of a natural itinerary, using wood as the surface finish and differentiating element of the new route. It has a lookout and an upper platform for recreational use.