Monte Oiz (Gernika)

Start Town Altitude Elevation Gain Length Gradient Difficulty Rating
Gernika 1,019m 1,012m 20.2 km 5.0% 1,456 ****






Monte Oiz - Gernika - Cycling Profile

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Climb Description

The climb to Monte Oiz from Gernika joins the scenes of two of the greatest tragedies in recent Basque history. The climb begins from Gernika - a small city which was subjected to an intense aerial bombardment by the German Luftwaffe in the Spanish Civil War. This tragic event helped Franco to seize control of the country, but the barbarity of the attack - immortalized in a painting by Pablo Picasso - left a deep-seated resentment.

The bombing and subsequent anti-Basque policies implemented by the Franco regime further fuelled the indpendence movement in the region, which had been re-ignited at the end of the 19th century by Sabino Arana. This resulted in over one thousand more deaths in violent clashes during the following seventy years. The cease-fire, declared in 2011 and upheld since, has certainly not ended Basque claims for indpendence, but it has indicated a willingness to achieve it solely through political means.

At the other end of the climb, the peak of Monte Oiz has long been an important mountain in Basque culture. It is one of the five Deiadar-Mendiak - visible summits from which messages were sent, summoning members of the local government to meetings. The messages were sent by fire or by a traditional Basque horn. More recently, in 1985, Monte Oiz was the scene of a plane crash, after a flight from Madrid to Bilbao hit the radar tower at the top of the climb in thick cloud.

From a cycling point of view, Monte Oiz from Gernika is an excellent climb to ride. The scenery is pleasant throughout, but becomes really spectacular towards the top of the climb, with stunning views all along the coastline. The upper section is extremely challenging, and the last 500m before you reach a small plateau by the wind turbines is one of the toughest stretches of climb that you will ever do on a road bike. However, it is worth peservering here, even if you have to walk, in order to get above the tree line and enjoy the amazing scenery in the last 2km.

Monte Oiz is open throughout the year as far as the Balcón de Bizkaia - just before you turn off the main road. The last 5km are open most of the year, but can close in winter for short periods following heavy snowfall.

To see more of Monte Oiz, check out our video of the climb.


Monte Oiz from Gernika - Basque Cycling Climb

There are great views across the Bizkaia region






Roads & Traffic

The road surface is in very good condition for the first 15km. The last 5km are on a corrugated concrete road surface. This used to be in bad condition, but prior to the climb being tackled in the 2018 Vuelta a España, the worst bits were all re-surfaced. It is still a bit rough in places, but is all now easily rideable on a road bike.

There is little traffic throughout the climb.


Monte Oiz from Gernika - Basque Cycling Climb

The road surface is rough in the final climb to the top






Alternative Routes

Monte Oiz can also be climbed from Iurreta and Munitibar.





Nearby Climbs


Arrate

Karabieta

Ixua

Asentzio

Elosua

Urkarregi

Azurki

Gontzegaraigane

Puerto de Urkiola

Kurtzeta

Untzella

Santa Eufemia

Kanpazar






Cycling Holidays

Monte Oiz is climbed as far as the Balcón de Bizkaia (the easy part!) on our Basque Country Coast and Bilbao to San Sebastian

The full climb is tackled on our more challenging Basque Mountains tour.

In the links below you can find out more about these and other similar tours that we run in the region.




Monte Igeldo - Gernika
Basque Flag Spanish FlagSpain

Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 7 Days
Level: Difficulty Easy to Medium
Price: from €1,390 EUR
*Bike Hire Included

Basque Coast Beach
Basque Flag Spanish FlagSpain


Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 7 Days
Level: Difficulty Easy to Medium
Price: €1,760 EUR
*Bike Hire Included

Basque Mountains
Basque Flag Spanish FlagSpain

Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 7 Days
Level: Difficulty Easy to Medium
Price: from €1,480 EUR