Diversion at La Arena / Pobena

[SFletcher]

We walked from Portugalete to Castro Urdiales last week 16 May 2023. After Crossing the green bridge at the end of the beach at La Arena, the path to go up the steps and around the headland was fenced off with a temporary diversion sign. It directed us to continue along the car park then up a side road to the right. This led onto country lanes and tracks and was well signposted until we were back on the original path. The red is the original path and the green is the diversion we took.

 

[JerryStroebele]

I hope that is just temporary. After a somewhat brutal climb of many steps on the original route, you top out on an old railroad bed for an easy walk with beautiful coastal scenery. Buen Camino

 

[Patterson]

We walked from Portugalete to Castro Urdiales last week 16 May 2023. After Crossing the green bridge at the end of the beach at La Arena, the path to go up the steps and around the headland was fenced off with a temporary diversion sign. It directed us to continue along the car park then up a side road to the right. This led onto country lanes and tracks and was well signposted until we were back on the original path. The red is the original path and the green is the diversion we took.

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We understand that the closure is due to a landslide. We were disappointed to miss this coastal walk too, but we took note of the apologies on the substitute path signs.

 

[inspectorwexford]

We walked from Portugalete to Castro Urdiales last week 16 May 2023. After Crossing the green bridge at the end of the beach at La Arena, the path to go up the steps and around the headland was fenced off with a temporary diversion sign. It directed us to continue along the car park then up a side road to the right. This led onto country lanes and tracks and was well signposted until we were back on the original path. The red is the original path and the green is the diversion we took.

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I walked this section at the end of April and when I got to the steps the barrier was open and people were heading up the steps. I followed and after about 1km I came upon the "landslide". Basically the embankment to the left of the path has collapsed and it is perfectly passable. In fact there is a well trodden path across the heap of soil so it looks like it's been down for quite some time. There were lots of local people walking in the area. Fabulous views

 

[Pete Dunn]

I walked this section at the end of April and when I got to the steps the barrier was open and people were heading up the steps. I followed and after about 1km I came upon the "landslide". Basically the embankment to the left of the path has collapsed and it is perfectly passable. In fact there is a well trodden path across the heap of soil so it looks like it's been down for quite some time. There were lots of local people walking in the area. Fabulous views

I walked past the barrier today, which is back up, and there is no way around it. I’m stopping for the night in Pobeña so haven’t tested the detour, but am grateful for the ‘heads up’.

 

[Paul from Tas]

We walked from Portugalete to Castro Urdiales last week 16 May 2023. After Crossing the green bridge at the end of the beach at La Arena, the path to go up the steps and around the headland was fenced off with a temporary diversion sign. It directed us to continue along the car park then up a side road to the right. This led onto country lanes and tracks and was well signposted until we were back on the original path. The red is the original path and the green is the diversion we took.

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As of 10 May 2024 this diversion is still in place. Don't go up the long set of steps! Warning/advisorysigns (in Spanish of course) are at the bottom of the steps.