Routes To The Green Belt - Tourism in Vitoria-Gasteiz
Discover the essence of Green Capital through 8 cycling, running, or hiking routes.
We propose 8 routes along paths, tracks, and “bidegorris” (cycle lanes) that you can do in a group, with your family, or by yourself. Easy, safe routes, suitable for all ages that will take you from the city centre to the peri-urban parks of the Green Belt. Exploring them, you will discover the soul of this city: the harmony between its urban, industrial, and agricultural environment and the Green Belt surrounding it.
Routes
Wikiloc route 
1. Route to Armentia Forest Via the La Senda Path
Feel the Magic of the Trees
We start the route along the La Senda Path, lined with hundred-year-old trees and emblematic buildings such as the Zulueta Palace, the Fine Arts Museum, Ajuria Enea, and the Mendizorrotza Stadium. We move on to the sculpture of San Prudencio, the patron saint of Alava, a regular stop for joggers and hikers. From there, we can see the fields of the Romanesque Basilica of San Prudencio, where we are heading to enter Armentia Forest.
Circular route | 9.7 km | + 110 m | 2 h by bike / 3 h on foot.
2. Route to Las Neveras Hill Via the Olarizu Botanical Garden
Admire the Fields and Hills of the Alava Plains
We continue along the La Senda Path, through the university campus, towards Olarizu Park, to the south of the city. At Infogune, we can obtain information on how to visit the botanical garden and its important collection of European trees (arboretum). We will then head towards the fields of the Farmhouse of Olarizu and follow the course of the Errekaleor River, which will take us on a slight ascent to Las Neveras Hill. From here, we can see the Alava Plains and the surrounding mountains. Finally, we will arrive at the Roman baths of Arkaia
Circular route | 14.3 km | + 220 m | 3 h by bike / 4.5 h on foot.
3. Route to Ataria and the Salburua Wetlands
Cross a Habitat Full of Deer and Birds
Este recorrido nos dirige hacia los Humedales de Salburua, al este de la ciudad. Un exclusivo escenario del Anillo Verde donde puedes sorprenderte con un ciervo de mirada curiosa y admirar desde los observatorios de aves la biodiversidad de estos humedales. This route takes us to the Salburua Wetlands, to the east of the city. An exclusive part of the Green Belt where you can be surprised by a deer with an inquisitive gaze and admire the biodiversity of these wetlands from the bird observatories. The return route takes us into the heart of the city, skirting Santa Isabel Cemetery and the slopes of the Medieval Quarter, which features the Doña Otxanda Tower and the Church of San Pedro, to finish in Virgen Blanca Square, the emblematic centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Circular route | 13.5 km + 3.7 km | + 90 m | 2.5 h + 1 h by bike / 4 h + 1.5 h on foot.
4. Route to Pirate Galleon Park and the Zadorra River
Discover the Treasures of Urban Parks
Join us to discover the hidden treasures of urban parks. Starting in La Florida Park, with its century-old trees, we will pass by the vertical garden of the Europa Congress Palace. Then, we will come to a hidden hermitage in Arriaga Park. A BMX circuit and a parkour park will be followed by Pirate Galleon Park, where there is a ship full of surprises for fearless children. Before setting off on our return journey, we will approach the banks of the Zadorra, where we will find one last treasure: the remains of an Iron Age settlement.
Circular route | 12.7 km | + 80 m | 2.5 h by bike / 4 h on foot.
5. Route to the Zabalgana Park Lagoons
A Symbiosis of Natural, Rural, and Urban Environments
It is amazing to consider that from a neighbourhood like Zabalgana, you can hear the croaking of the natterjack toad, an endangered species that lives in the ponds of this park. This route illustrates the balance between industrial, urban and natural areas: the rural environment of the village of Ali, some of the largest businesses in the Basque Country, the park's forests, the cultivated fields... But also, the link with the past in Armentum, the reconstruction of a Roman settlement (1st-5th centuries). It is possible to combine sustainability, tradition, and innovation.
Circular route | 14 km | + 115 m | 3 h by bike / 4.5 h on foot.
6. Exploring the Green Belt's Northern Route
Following the Course of the Zadorra River
The Green Belt Tour around Vitoria-Gasteiz is 33 km long. It consists of several parks of high ecological value linked by natural corridors that can be explored by bicycle or on foot. In order to offer more accessible routes, we propose dividing the Green Belt Tour into two parts: the Northern Route and the Southern Route.
The Northern Route starts at Ataria, the Salburua Wetlands Interpretation Centre. It runs for 14.4 kilometres following the course of the Zadorra River until it reaches Zabalgana Park and ends at Armentum, the ruins of a Roman settlement (1st to 5th century A.D.).
Linear route | 14.4 km | + 140 m | 3 h by bike / 4.5 h on foot.
7. Exploring the Green Belt's Southern Route
Traversing Unique Ecosystems
The Green Belt's southern route starts in Armentum Park (Zabalgana) and crosses three large parks with significantly different ecosystems: the Armentia Forest, the Olarizu Botanical Garden and the Salburua Wetlands. The route is 19 kilometres long and can be covered on foot or by bicycle. The difficulty level is low, and there are numerous springs and rest areas along the way. A perfect plan to connect with nature.
Linear route | 18.1 km | + 45 m | 4 h by bike / 5.5 h on foot.
8. 8.North-South, West-East Connecting Routes
Connecting the Cardinal Points
The North-South and West-East connecting routes are designed to facilitate transit from one end of Vitoria-Gasteiz to the other, connecting its cardinal points in a convenient and safe manner. These routes start at a point on the Green Belt and run through the city centre until they connect with the opposite end of the belt.
8A. North South
This route crosses the city via the Portal de Foronda, Gasteiz Avenue and Lasarte Avenue cycle lanes and covers a distance of less than 5 kilometres. It combines the flow of urban mobility with the freshness of natural spaces.
Linear route | 4.9 km | +/-30 m | 45 minutes by bike | 1.5 h on foot.
8B. West-East. From Zabalgana to Salburua
This route crosses the city using the bike lanes on Las Naciones Unidas Avenue, Nieves Cano, Florida Street and Paseo de la Ilíada. It covers 8 kilometres from Zabalgana Park to the Salburua Wetlands.
The West-East route connects the two great neighbourhoods developed in the 20th century, Zabalgana and Salburua, which feature ample avenues, parks, and buildings of architectural interest.
Linear route | 8.5 km | +/-50 m | 1.5 h by bike / 3 h on foot.
- Always bring something to eat and drink.
- Warm up before starting to avoid possible injuries.
- Take care of nature and everything connected with it.
If you ride a bike
- Check your bike before each outing and make sure you have lights for after dark.
- Wear a helmet, which is compulsory for children under 16.
- Respect the priority of pedestrians and comply with all city cycling regulations.
- Areas where cycling is prohibited: On pavements, walkways, and pedestrian areas if a cycle lane is available, or that are less than 3 metres wide. On streets and squares in the city centre from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. More information.
- Respect the priority of pedestrians and comply with all cycling regulations (*). Regulación de la circulación de bicicletas por la ciudad
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