Description

The route begins in the Interpretation Centre continuing through the Old Quarter to a small trail on the Arratia Riverbank. The Old Quarter road surface is cobbled; however, it does not hinder the use of wheelchairs, its streets are wide with no architectural barriers. The trail section by the river is fine gravel which does not affect wheelchair use. 
Wheelchair accessible public WCs in the Centre of Interpretation.

Highlight

  • In the beautiful Valley of Arratia protected by the highest mountain in Bizkaia (Gorbeia), we discover this medieval town, which is proud of its town centre declared Cultural Interest Asset categorised as a Monumental Complex.
  • The characteristics of its old quarter mean we can undertake a small route through its narrow-cobbled streets to appreciate the unique houses of the town, which still retain all their typical Basque flavour. As already mentioned, this Bizkaian town has an architectural heritage of great interest. On the right bank of the Arratia River opposite Zubizarra Bridge, we have the Santa Isabel Convent. We can also visit the Church of San Bartolomé, a discreet building finished in the 19th century. From there, we will soon reach the most important buildings grouped around the Town Hall Square: Gortazar Palace, Riscal Palace, and the town hall itself of neoclassic style. Areatza set in a spectacular spot at the foot of Gorbeia, is the starting point of numerous mountain excursions. The Natural Park of Gorbeia is considered one of the most beautiful areas in the Autonomous Basque Community given its incalculable cultural, landscape and nature value.
  • (www.turismo.euskadi.es )

How to get here

By car:
A8 motorway direction Donostia/San Sebastián exit Hospital Galdakao Continue along road N-240 direction Gazteiz/Vitoria until Artea exit.

By bus (Bizkaibus):
Route A3917
Route A3927

Route

Areatza (Biscay)

Section 1

From the Interpretation Centre to the Arratia River

Suitable for people with reduced mobility (PRM)

A simple ring tour of 2 km from the parking, going along the Old Quarter cobbled road, alternating closely laid cobbles with wider paving stones which facilitate wheelchair transit. Wide streets without architectural barriers. On reaching the river we come up against a surface of fine gravel, not to mention occasional potholes, yet it’s still possible to use a wheelchair and enjoy the landscape of the Riverside Forest. 
During this section we’ll come across several taverns where we can rest and have a drink while enjoying the medieval buildings and the most characteristic Basque architecture in Areatza.

Description of the section and its accessibility level

Section length
1,97 km
Pavement
Cobblestones, fine gravel
Obstacles
  • Small water channel

Equipment for receiving the external resource on the section

Is there reception equipment on the section?
Yes
Outdoor space: Parking areas and access to equipment
How close is it to means of transport?
The nearest bus stop is 200 meters from the Interpretation Center.
Is there a parking area?
Yes
Parking. Are there any minimum dimensions for adapted vehicles?
Yes
Is there any adapted access?
Yes
Are there slopes at the entrances?
No
Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
Are there railings and/or handrails?
No
Is there an equipment entrance sign next to the access, and is it adapted?
No
Is the access properly signposted to guide users?
Yes
Pavement type
Cobblestones
Indoor space: General features
Do the different equipment areas have adapted access?
Yes
Does the front door have a pre-landing?
Yes
Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
Is there a minimum clearance of 150 cm around furniture where turning or manoeuvring is required?
Yes
Does the lighting system allow for correct reading with no reflections in each equipment area?
Yes
Is there a logical order to the exhibition hall's route, indicated by visible arrows and/or tactile foot signs?
No
Are there accessible ICTs "information and communication technologies" ?
No
Can these ICTs be seen by people with visual impairment?
No
Are there any resources so that people with cognitive disabilities can understand them?
Yes
What type of resource(s)?
They have easy-to-use push-buttons for panels.
Are there any resources so that people with hearing impairment can understand them?
No
Information in Braille and/or audioguide devices
No
Are there bathrooms, and is at least one of them accessible by transfer?
Yes
Is transfer possible on both sides?
Yes
Type of lavatory
Single lever push button
Is there an evacuation map in Braille and high relief??
No
Personal care area
Are there personnel trained in accessibility in the facilities?
No
Do staff wear name badges or equivalent to show their communication skills with people with disabilities?
No
Unobstructed distance around the sign of over 150 cm for wheelchair users' mobility
Yes
Nearby counter visible from the entrance for easy access, with an accessible area width greater than 80cm
Yes
Minimum unobstructed distance around the counter greater than 150cm
Yes
Benches or supports for people with reduced mobility
No
Are there accessible ICTs "information and communication technologies" ?
No
Are there any resources so that people with cognitive disabilities can understand them?
Yes
What type of resource(s)?
Button panels, interactive displays, log and leaf samples for touching and smelling.
Are there any resources so that people with hearing impairment can understand them?
No
Are ICTs available so that the location and services are publicized in different languages?
No
Rest zone
Is there a rest area at the reception?
No
Store
Is there one or more stores at the reception?
Yes
Products for sale (books and documents) with lateral vertical reach to shelves between 20 and 40 cm wide and a height of between 40 and 120 cm
Yes
Products are positioned at a maximum height of 120cm
Yes
Children’s area
Is there a children’s area at the reception?
Yes
Adequate floor and unobstructed
Yes
Adapted educational materials
Yes
Exhibition room
Is there an exhibition room at the reception?
Yes
Obstacle-free clearance greater than 150cm
Yes
Maximum table height 80cm. Lower part of the hollow table top more than 70cm high, 50cm deep and over 80cm wide
Yes
Enhanced senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch)
Yes
Braille, light, sound, etc. buttons and push buttons
No
Exhibition Hall
Is there an exhibition hall at the reception?
Yes
Exhibition Hall: Lectern
Clearance around obstacles of more than 90 cm
Yes
Exhibition Hall: Diorama
Clearance around obstacles of more than 90 cm
Yes
Adequate lighting for proper viewing of the exhibits
Yes
Exhibition Hall: Model
Maximum model height 80 cm. Lower hollow part more than 70cm high, 50cm deep and over 80 cm wide
Yes
Clearance around obstacles of more than 90 cm
Yes
Exhibition Hall: Interactive module
Clearance around obstacles of more than 90 cm
Yes
Easy push buttons
Yes
Previous, clear and concise operation explanation
No
Are ICTs available so that the location and services are publicized in different languages?
No
Exhibition Hall: Panel
Clearance around obstacles of more than 90 cm
Yes
Eye-catching, clear and short texts with a main title and no more than five key ideas
No
There are pictograms, graphic information...
Yes
Information in Braille language
No
Information in audio format
No
Information in written format
Yes
Are ICTs available so that the location and services are publicized in different languages?
No
Are there accessible ICTs "information and communication technologies" ?
No
Are there any resources so that people with cognitive disabilities can understand them?
Yes
What type of resource(s)?
Button panels
Are there any resources so that people with hearing impairment can understand them?
No
Exhibition Hall: Texts and graphs
High contrast between background and text
No
Eye-catching, clear and short texts with a main title and no more than five key ideas
No
Adequate lighting system that allows for correct reading with no reflections or considerable effort
Yes
In general, for interpretive content, easy to understand concepts have been used
No
Appropriate typography according to reading distances
No
Exhibition Hall: Audiovisuals
Audiovisual material in subtitled and/or in Spanish Sign Language version
No
Audiovisual voiceovers using easy to understand language
No
Exhibition Hall: Multipurpose room
1% of places reserved for wheelchair users
Yes
Location of accessible places near the emergency exit with a width greater than 120cm
No
Retractable seats or seats with folding arms to facilitate user transfer
No
Adequate visibility to the presidential table from all points
Yes

Interpretive equipment

Are there trails on the section?
Yes
Access
Is there lighting at night?
Yes
Minimum accessible connection between parking spaces, if any, the start of the obstacle-free trail
Yes
Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
Yes, without assistance from third parties
Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
Yes
Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
Yes
Informative poster at the start of the trail indicating the length, route, difficulty, duration and slopes by sections
No
Itinerary
Vertical start signage
No
Compact, non-slip and with no projections along their entire length, allowing wheelchair transit
Cobblestones and gravel
2 m. paved trails with non-deformable and non-slip material, with a different texture and different from the rest
Yes
The route is more than 150cm wide, with occasional narrowings of 90cm
Yes
Minimum clearance height of 220 cm
Yes
Rest areas
Yes
Urban furniture (fountains, dispensers...) arranged along the pedestrian route to provide sound orientation
No
Guiding partition and/or tactile foot signs to draw attention to an important feature
Yes
Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
Yes, with no assistance
Unevenness through pedestrian routes
Yes
Tree branches do not obstruct the route at below 2.20 m
Yes
Route length dimensions and time
200 meters 10 minutes
Cycle touring lane
Does the section have a cycle touring lane?
No
Lookout and observatory
Is there a lookout or observatory on the section?
No

Educational Facilities

Nature classroom
Is there a nature classroom on this section?
Yes
Nature classroom: Outdoor space
Accessible connection between the parking and inside the nature classroom
Yes
Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
Yes
Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
Yes
Nature classroom: Indoor space
Is there adequate lighting?
Yes
Relief map for the correct location of the different rooms at the building entrance between 90 and 120cm
No
There is at least 1 accessible bathroom or 1/10 fraction
Yes

Recreational facilities

Is there a recreational area on this section?
Yes
Access
Is there adequate lighting?
Yes
Accessible connection from the parking, if there is one, to the premises, adapted to current regulations. Unobstructed area with a minimum width of 90 cm, an unobstructed height of 220 cm and a compact floor which allows for wheelchair access
Yes
Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
Yes
Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
Yes, without assistance from third parties
Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
Yes
Outdoor space
Are 10% of the tables and benches accessible?
No
At least one accessible access, if any
Yes

Beaches

Is there a beach on this section?
No

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