Solidarity reaches the top in Artxanda
The mountains of Bilbao offer us postcard landscapes. The town sinks its history in Artxanda, this peak that is almost 300 meters high, closing off the “botxo” to the north and separating it from the Asua valley. The people of Bilbao felt a special attachment to this very close peak, the scene of so many celebrations and good memories, and for this reason, thousands of people have once again supported this Sunday the mountain march organized by EL CORREO, a comfortable excursion suitable for all public that alternate the walk with the ascent and that invite you to contemplate new spectacular images of the city from this viewpoint full of dreamlike paths. The march, which reveals a different route each time, reached its 13th edition. And the forecast could not be better. Weather agencies forecast 30 degrees and no rain. In the end, a maximum of 26 warmed up the participants during the steepest slopes, something that many appreciated. “The temperature is fabulous,” he was heard saying. It was a perfect Sunday morning to do one of the things they like the most in Bilbao: go for a walk in the mountains before having an aperitif. Also, for a charitable cause.
The proceeds from the 8,000 tickets that have been put up for sale at this newspaper’s store on Gran Vía, 20,000 euros will go to two charitable associations: Avifes, the Biscayan association of relatives and people with mental illness, which will allocate it to the mental health programs for children and young people, and Ukraine SOS, which works on the employment of those exiled from the war who have settled in Euskadi. Also in the morning, the Ukrainian chess champion, a blind refugee in Euskadi, gave chess classes wearing a mask to those who came. «The money will be used to support refugees in Euskadi. Now we help 500 with Spanish classes, psychological therapy, job orientation… », explained Kateryna Kaminska, coordinator of the association.
From the first hour, thousands of people have crowded into the starting area, in El Arenal with all sorts of sports attire -they even had trekking poles- to enjoy the almost 9-kilometre route that has taken them to the top and back to Casco Viejo. To avoid crowds, the departure has been organized in six shifts, between 9.45 and 11.00. Already before the start, thousands of people wait in El Arenal. The mayor, Juan Mari Aburto, has been in charge of kicking off the march at 9:45 a.m. accompanied by other councilors from the government team, such as the mayor of Security, Amaia Arregi, or the socialist Yolanda Díez. «The march has a double solidarity component: Collaborating with two associations, making the reality of mental illness and refugees visible and highlighting something that is important in Bilbao: being able to go from the city center on foot in a short time and without much effort to Artxanda, who is wonderful. Few cities have this possibility, ”explained that mountain from which he keeps so many family memories. “Skate, walk, play.” The mayor, a lover of walks through the mountains of Bilbao and other harder ones, such as the Gorbea, has not completed the march this year due to some discomfort in his feet.
The initiative has been revealed again as a massive initiative. «You do sports and it is supportive. It is a beautiful route and people have a great time, ”said Juan Mari del Hoyo, an experienced mendizale from the La Montañera Society, who has collaborated with the march from the beginning. The route was the same as last year, when the participants had to wear a mask, but in reverse.
The excursion consisted this time of almost 9 kilometers that combined the asphalt track with a stretch of road and trails of pebbles and dirt. First, a huge human chain has taken the Uribitarte walk to the Guggenheim. “They look like Christmas balls,” said a young woman about the peculiar sculpture. From there, the multicolored crowd, with all sorts of phosphorescent shirts and in the lively company of happy dogs, has taken the La Salve bridge to start the ascent. Mendizales of all kinds followed the instructions: gangs of friends of all ages and origins – there were from Colombia and Ukraine, for example – and families with children. «I’ve only been doing it for two years for work and it has become a tradition. I like it a lot. For me it is a bit tiring, but the effort is worth it. We make the tour, we eat the sandwich, we walk around and go home at lunchtime », explained Carmen Jiménez, who had arrived with friends and her daughter from Erandio. Sport works miracles and two friends walking at a good pace were the living image of it. They are 78 years old, but apparently 65. «We were early retired from Altos Hornos and we told ourselves that we were not going to be drinking txikitos all day. So two days a week we went to the mountains and we have visited all the mountains here and there. We will have gone to Artxanda 60 times. In other words… This is for us, ‘chupao'”, said Mariano Ausín and Enríque Martínez Ulibarri, residents of Portugalete and Sestao, who after the march were going to have “a couple of wines or three in the Casco Viejo to replenish”. «I really like going to the mountains but I have never done this route. I have gone through Galdakao, through the Vivero area, behind, but here it is the first time”, explained Marina Mercadé, a 49-year-old resident of Etxebarri, who went with two friends.
There has been a small traffic jam on the La Salve bridge. The view only reached to see heads. But as soon as I crossed the footbridge that passes over the Begoña tunnels, I already smelled of the forest and damp vegetation, aromas that changed in hue along the path. The crowd was already clearing the way uphill. From time to time, the corners already let see beautiful views “It seems bearable,” said a lady. There were barely two kilometers to go, although those less accustomed to effort did find their breath taken on the last slope. When there were 700 meters left to reach the top, a small stretch did become a bit uphill. «I come for the choripan later. And for the gift », a participant told one of her colleagues. «Everyone comes for the choripan. I have a whole box of gifts from the ascent to Artxanda, ”answered the other.
In an hour and a quarter it was already upstairs. The maximum drop was 236 meters. And most of the participants completed the route in less than three hours, stopping to take the obligatory photographs of the postcard views that the ascent offered. At the Artxanda skating rink, next to the funicular, a refreshment point was set up to regain strength. Those who encouraged to stand in line received a bottle of water and an energy bar. But the biggest prize was the views from the viewpoint that has now become so popular among the youngest thanks to Instagram. The town unfolded coquettishly before the mendizales, surrounded by mountains with soft tops colored green that faded as they approached the sky. Bilbao looked resplendent due to the reflection of the Iberdrola skyscraper, the Izosaki towers, the Bizkaia Tower and the Guggenheim on the silvery estuary that slithered between the buildings, while the roofs and exposed brickwork matched the façade of the Euskalduna, at the other end of the city.
Many crews have taken the opportunity to rest, eat fruit or a sandwich and enjoy a clandestine cigar at the foot of the sculpture by Juanjo Novella in homage to the battalions that defended Bilbao from the Francoist siege, in the viewpoint from where the botxo is dominated. “It has been phenomenal. It has been a little hot, but there was not much crowd. We do it every year”, explains Ana Garibi, who led a group of 35 volunteers from La Caixa to accompany Avifes and SOS Ukrania. Councilwoman Ohiane Agirregoitia was also resting in the area with her sister and her group of friends. “I always love to climb. We would go up with aita and with ama. We have gone a lot to the swimming pools in summer, and to the outdoor fields with a sandwich. It was the family plan and we were walking. And to see Artxanda again full of young people, families, people who dare to enjoy the views and this area of the green ring is wonderful, because it is a luxury space that we have in the city. And time has accompanied », she recounted.
There, next to the viewpoint, began a descent of five kilometers not without slopes. The first ledge of stones was somewhat slippery and it was better to walk on the side, grass and dirt. The mendizales reached La Cantera park and later took Landetabidea and Mendiarte Strata. They celebrated the arrival of a stretch of land, dotted with fallen leaves reminiscent of the new autumn. Then they passed through the popular neighborhoods of Sarrikue and Arabella – there were comments about the skill needed to park the car on such a slope – and they arrived at Etxebarria Park, which from above looked like a fluffy decorative green carpet. «I have done the march all the previous years, except one that was not done because there was covid. It has become traditional”, explained Unai Álvarez, 18 years old. His mother, Silvia Paternina, comes from Colombia. She has been in Bilbao for 21 years. She now lives in the Plaza del Funicular de La Salve. “This march aims to encourage hiking among children and, furthermore, it is always supportive, that is why we always participate,” she pointed out. After crossing the park, some stairs took the crowd to the Plaza del Gas. Once again, spectacular views: all the color tones at the top of the Iberdrola tower behind the Albia building and the Isozaki towers and the Town Hall. And in El Arenal the final trophy awaited: more than 8,000 choripanes have been distributed and each mendizale has received, as a prize, a small isothermal bottle.
The participants, next to the Guggenheim Museum. /
recycling containers
The entire itinerary has been signposted by the La Montañera society, which has collaborated with the march since its inception and will deploy volunteers along the entire route. In addition, Civil Protection and DYA vehicles have watched over the participants. About 300 volunteers have supported the march, of which half were part of the association of mountaineers. The route has the support of the Bilbao City Council, Aena, Eroski, Caixabank and Lurauto & Co, in addition to the Coca Cola company and the Vueling airline. In fact, two flights for two people have been raffled among those registered.