The Gorbeia Experience festival will present two weekends, on September 26 and 27, and October 3 and 4, offering a comprehensive program to discover, savor, and enjoy the nature, heritage, and gastronomy of the Gorbeialdea region in Álava. Activities include local product tastings, hiking, mushroom foraging routes, birding, horseback riding, cultural visits, workshops, and wellness experiences.
The closing event will be held on October 4 at the ‘Mi Castillo de Arena’ venue (Zurbano), featuring an artisan market, gastronomy, prize draws, and live music. This festival is promoted by the Gorbeialdea Council, with support from the Provincial Council of Álava and the Basque Government, aiming to establish Gorbeia as a benchmark for sustainable and quality tourism.
The event was presented by Cristina González, Provincial Deputy for Employment, Commerce, and Tourism; Clara Navas, Director of Tourism and Hospitality for the Basque Government; and Agustín Otsoa, President of the Gorbeialdea Council. This year, the festival expands its offering from one to two weekends.
The program includes various activities, such as guided birdwatching routes with Birding Gorbeia and Equinoccio Natura (from Gujuli and Untza), guided visits with Ttipia to the Sanctuary of Oro (Bitoriano) and the Romanesque sites of Zigoitia, and a merino wool felting workshop with Arthika Artilea (Gopegi).
Gastronomic experiences include ‘Apicultora por un día’ (Beekeeper for a day) (Ziorraga), ‘Pastora por un día’ (Shepherdess for a day) (Oleta), and cider tastings at Iturrieta Sagardotegia (Arraga). Additionally, there will be photography sessions with horses and workshops at Zaldiluma (Gopegi), and printmaking workshops led by artist Alba Tojo at the Parketxea in Sarria (Zuia).
Horseback riding routes through Gorbeia with Hípica Gopegi (Zigoitia), a mycological route with Micología para todos, and wellness sessions at La Cabaña Pottery and Plants (Sarria, Zuia) complete the offerings. The Hontza Extrem adventure park (Oleta) with its zip lines will also be available throughout both weekends.
The closing event will take place on October 4, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at ‘Mi Castillo de Arena’ (Zurbano). It will feature a guided tour of Zurbano's heritage and history, craft workshops, cider, Idiazábal cheese, and honey tastings, a market for products and crafts, prize draws, and live music.
Restaurants in Gorbeialdea are also participating, promoting the region's gastronomy. Visitors can enjoy cider menus at Iturrieta (Arraga), tasting menus at La Casa del Patrón (Murgia), and traditional recipes at Bentazar (Elosu), as well as offerings from Atabaka (Santuario de Oro) and Tap-Room Baias (Oiardo).
Gorbeialdea's tourist accommodations are also joining the event, offering stays in small rural houses and hotels with a personal touch. Notable options include the rural houses Bentazar (Elosu), Ulle Gorri (Apregindana), and Haizatu (Manurga); the hotel La Casa del Patrón (Murgia); and the apartments Casa Lafuente (Lukiano) and Zuia Suites (Murgia).
Additionally, participants can enter the Gorbeialdea Council Photography Contest, aimed at highlighting the region's landscapes and environment. A new Instagram photo contest will also be held, tagging the official account @gorbeia_eusakdi and using the hashtag #GorbeiaExperience.
Registration for the various program activities is now open at https://gorbeiaeuskadi.com/gorbeiaexperience. Those who register before September 30 will receive a €5 bonus gift, and participants signing up for more than one activity will receive an additional €5 bonus.
