Anboto from the Urkiola Pass

Anboto is a limestone peak of 1,331 m, the highest mountain in Urkiola Natural Park, about 40 km south-east of Bilbao in Bizkaia, Basque Country, Spain. The walk starts at the Urkiola pass (Alto de Urkiola, 780 m), near the sanctuary in the municipality of Abadino. By car the pass is reached directly and has parking. Without a car, Bizkaibus runs from Bilbao to Durango (confirm the line at bizkaibus.eus, phone 946 125 555), from where a taxi or a 5 km walk reaches the pass; a Durango to Vitoria-Gasteiz bus is reported to stop at the pass, so return times should be checked in advance. No permit is required. The route follows the signposted GR-282 and covers about 3 km one way, or a 10.2 km loop described by Senditur, with roughly 550 m of climb. Although the distance is short, the upper section is a steep rocky scramble on limestone, which places the route in the hard category under a rule that treats shorter trails with scrambling as hard. The lower part crosses beech woodland and pasture on dirt paths before the terrain turns to bare rock and stone steps. Exposure is moderate on the final pitch, and the rock is slippery when wet, so the trail is best avoided in rain. Shade is available in the forest but not on the summit. Water is not available on the mountain, so 1.5 L per person is advisable. The sanctuary at the pass offers a natural meeting point before and after the climb. Typical time is 3 to 4 hours for the return trip, or about 3 hours 45 minutes for the full loop. The summit gives wide views across Urkiola Natural Park and neighbouring Basque ranges. The recommended turn-around point is the base of the rocky final section if rock is wet or visibility is poor. The same path is used for descent, and care should be taken on loose limestone, where ankle injuries are common.