The Forest of Oma is Agustín Ibarrola's artwork in which the tree trunks are the canvas. It's in Kortezubi, in the heart of the Urdaibai reserve, about 40 kilometres from Bilbao. After several years closed, the work was moved to a new site nearby and is open to visitors again.
First things first: booking
To get in, you need to book on the official Forest of Oma website, run by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia. Self-guided visits are free. You choose a time slot and, on the day, you validate your ticket at the Santimamiñe-Oma visitor point, next to the car park, one hour before your slot. There are also paid guided tours on some Saturdays.
You reach the forest on foot
Cars can't go beyond the Santimamiñe car park. From there to the forest it's a 2.8-kilometre walk, about 50 minutes. Inside, the art trail is a kilometre and a half long, with 34 painted groups. Then there's the walk back. All in all, allow about three hours.
How to plan it by taxi
We'll take you to the Santimamiñe car park, where the path starts. The practical option is to book two journeys: the outbound one, so you arrive the hour ahead that validation requires, and the return, at the time you expect to finish. That way you don't pay for waiting time while you walk.
- From central Bilbao: on weekdays and at weekends or on public holidays.
- Time: around with no traffic.
- From Gernika: , in case you combine the visit with the town.
What to bring
- Hiking shoes and comfortable clothes: the path has some climbs.
- Water: there are no fountains in the forest.
- Check the weather first: entry isn't allowed in storms or strong winds.
The path isn't suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Dogs are welcome on a lead, and in the taxi they travel with a seat cover: just tick the option when you book.
Making a full day of it
Next to the car park are the Santimamiñe caves, with guided tours that also need booking. Ten minutes away is Gernika, with the Assembly House (Casa de Juntas) and its Tree. And if you have the afternoon free, Mundaka and its harbour. We cover it all in Urdaibai by taxi.
