The Hemingway Kanala rural house stands in the district of Busturialdea, in the heart of the Urdaibai basin and at the mouth of the River Oka, which collects and deposits its waters in the famous Mundaka wave, known globally for being one of the world’s longest left waves. Over these twenty or so kilometres, the estuary gains in importance, sculpting out picture-book landscapes to provide fresh water for the famous wetland haven for migratory birds and place of pilgrimage for human beings since pre-history.

Proof of this are the famous Santimamiñe caves, the most important archaeological site in Bizkaia, dating back 14,000 years and designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its bison, horses and deer conjure up dreams of a fauna and flora still exuberant today, making you feel as though time had stopped in this mountainous district bathed by rivers ending in delightful small beaches.

The Basques have always kept a lookout from the mountaintops, using ancient techniques to communicate, such as smoke signals or the Alboka (a wind instrument made from a horn).

From the summits of these mountains you can enjoy marvellous panoramic views, examples of which are:

Atxarre, Ogoño, Ereño Zahar, Iluntzar and Katillotxu