Hello!
I'm planning a day-trip to see the cave paintings in Puente Viesgo. My friend and I will be in Bilbao for several days and are renting a car for one of them. This will be our only day in the Basque region with a car; I'm hoping someone can help point us in an interesting direction.

The morning hours and early afternoon will be dedicated to getting to and touring the caves. I don't want to overbook the day, but would like to have a few specific options available when we're done in Puente Viesgo. It looks like we could do a scenic southern route back to Bilbao, or we could go back north and poke around some small towns that aren't on the main bus and train routes. I'm really open to anything. Suggestions?

Thanks!

Once again, for the umpteenth time on this forum, I'm suggesting the "painted forest"..El Bosque Pintado. Very unusual setting, near Basque Gernika, short drive from Bilbao, enroute to San Sebby. Try it. you'll like it.

No one, absolutely no one, has taken me up on that, and I've given directions to at least half dozen Fodorites. Yeah, I'm a terrible salesperson!

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...dForestOfSpain

It's an easy drive out to Puente Viesgo. If you have the time, then you might be interested in heading down to Miranda de Ebro in the Rioja before heading back up to Bilbao. It's a little over two hours, without stops. You could stop in Villarcayo. And of course you could also visit Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque country (www.basquecountry-tourism.com).

Ibarrola's Painted Forest, the forest of Oma, is indeed worth visiting, but only if you are staying in the area and can spend a few hours enjoying it. We've been twice the last ten years, once when it was just being "rediscovered" and again after the trails had been upgraded and the trees repainted.

http://www.pbase.com/txirloro/elbosque (more on the painted forest)

Having so many wonderful sights in the Basque Country...do you have any special interests in a drive to Puente Viesog?? Yeah, nice area and all that, but to be honest, if staying in Bilbao, drive all the way to Lekeitio and stop by Santimamiñe caves and the Oma painted forest. And Elantxobe, Ea, Mundaka, Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (a real must!!!), even the largest Rolls Royce museum in the world is something you can´t miss!!

tower; The Painted Forest sounds amazing. Consider it added to the wish list. If I switch cave locations, it should be pretty easy to fit in.
Mikelg, My only reason for going to Puente Visego is that I knew about the caves there. The Santimamine Caves would definitely be more convenient. Do the tours there show the cave paintings? I would really love to see them in person, but see conflicting info online regarding pubic access to them.

We were among the last to see the paintings before they were closed to the public to preserve them, but it's still an interesting visit.

http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/cultur.../x65-12375/en/
http://www.bizkaia.net/home2/Temas/D...2326&Idioma=EU

"The caves have been closed to the public since 2006. Nonetheless, hour and a half long guided tours are offered. For starters, visitors enter the cave, allowing them to admire the site. They can also enjoy the spectacular natural environment. Then, they can make their way to the chapel of San Mamés, which has been turned into an interpretative centre. There, with the aid of a sophisticated virtual tour, one can travel to the inside of the cave, including the famous cave paintings."

Tours are available from Tuesday to Sunday in the mornings and afternoons. Reservations required.

Hmm. I'll have to think about this one.
Thanks for the information!