Max Abroad : The Best of Spain

Bilbao, the capital of Biscay, is surrounded by mountains and is very near the sea, so you don't have to travel far to find yourself surrounded by nature. Very close to Bilbao, heading inland, you'll find two unique spots: the source of the Nervión River is far from a simple image of a river flowing through the city. But more like a breathtaking picture of fantasy film. Before reaching Bilbao the river falls over a dizzying cliff and through one of the oldest towns in the area, Orduña, where you can comfortably stroll around no matter what time of year you visit.

When the Nervión dies out in Bilbao it looks like a very civilised river, but in fact near its source there is wild waterfall, also the largest in Spain. It is found in Délika, 43 kilometres south of Bilbao, where the Nervión tumbles down the 300-metre-high cliffs of the Salvada mountain range. If you walk the three kilometres from the village, you will be able to see the fall from below; or from the precipice if you drive to the Orduña mountain pass and then walk from the car park of Mount Santiago. In any case, it is a one-hour stroll (one-way) that will fill visitors with surprise when they contemplate this river that, even though it is still only a stream, it jumps almost 300 metres, to comfortably place itself among the ten highest waterfalls in Europe and 20 waterfalls in the world with the steepest vertical drop.

After bathing Délika, the Nervión crosses Orduña. The centre of the village preserves its mediaeval atmosphere, with porches and buildings as important as the Aduana, with imposing neoclassic architecture from the days of Carlos III, today converted into the Hotel-Spa. Another surprising place is the Fortified church of Santa María. And another, the Taberna Belatz Gorri, which has won the Bilbao Bizkaia Pintxo Championship three times in the Spanish potato omelette category.