Mendaro brings together the karstic Kilimón Valley, a long chocolate-making tradition and historic sites. The town centre lies at the edge of the valley; the Aranerrekako itzulia circular hike starts in town and leads into it. There is also the Intxusai River, with waterfalls and cascades, and a mill visit focused on drinking chocolate.

Hiking in the Kilimón Valley

Mendaro’s town centre lies at the edge of the Kilimón Valley, which has a karstic origin. Aranerrekako itzulia is a circular hike that starts in Mendaro; its route leads from there into the Kilimón Valley. Garaluzeko itzulia offers a different focus: this circular hike provides an opportunity to experience green mountains and impressive forests in the Kilimón Valley. This makes it possible to distinguish between a route explicitly described as connecting the town with the valley and a tour focused more on the landscape. Check current trail conditions before setting out. The Intxusai River has beautiful waterfalls and cascades. The numerous shafts in the Kilimón Valley also offer opportunities for caving. When choosing a route, Arnoate-Otarre offers another connection with the town: this circular hike starts and ends in Mendaro and leads into the Kilimón Valley shortly after the start.

Chocolate and a mill visit

Since 1850, Chocolates de Mendaro-Saint Gerons has been making artisanal chocolate in Mendaro using traditional recipes. The Chocolates de Mendaro workshop is located in a rustic farmhouse, where a stone mill has been in operation for almost 200 years. A visit to the mill takes about 20 minutes and shows the entire process of making drinking chocolate. The two time references have different points of reference: 1850 marks the chocolate-making tradition, while almost 200 years refers to the operation of the stone mill.

Festivals and historic sites

A popular pilgrimage is currently part of the Fiestas de la Trinidad celebrations in Mendaro, along with Bertsolaris, Trikitilaris and rural sports. If you would like to include the fiestas in your travel dates, check the relevant dates in advance. Lasalde tower house also features interesting late-medieval elements. The Santa Ana hermitage stands in a strategic location, which has been suggested as possibly connected to an ancient watchtower. The two sites offer different historical points of reference: late-medieval architectural elements at Lasalde and a possible ancient connection at Santa Ana.

What should you focus on?

If you choose a focus for your stay first, the details offer different ways to plan: Aranerrekako itzulia connects the starting point in Mendaro with the route into the Kilimón Valley, while Garaluzeko itzulia focuses on the landscape, with green mountains and impressive forests in the valley. The mill visit, at about 20 minutes, is a specific block of time to plan for; for the fiestas, the dates need to work for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Villabona, Andoain, Azpeitia, Astigarraga, Orio, Oñati, Lezo and Irún.

Return to the main travel overview: Gipuzkoa.