Rural Development Association: Enkarterrialde

Enkarterrialde is a rural development association serving the region of Las Encartaciones (Enkarterri) in the province of Bizkaia, in Spain’s Basque Country. It is a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of life and sustainable development of rural communities by supporting local governments, businesses, and residents.

The organization acts as a bridge between local, provincial, and regional administrations, coordinating initiatives across multiple municipalities in the region. Its main areas of work include economic diversification, entrepreneurship, employment, innovation, sustainable development, tourism, and community engagement. Enkarterrialde also provides advice and support to individuals and organizations seeking grants or assistance for rural projects.

A major focus of Enkarterrialde is the promotion of the Vía Verde Montes de Hierro Greenway (in Basque: Burdinmendi, in English: Iron Mountains) , the largest greenway in Bizkaia, which reuses former railway infrastructure for walking and cycling. Through projects like this, the association promotes sustainable mobility, nature tourism, and the preservation of industrial and railway heritage. It also organizes events, training workshops, and local markets to strengthen the regional economy and social cohesion. The route also connects visitors to important cultural landmarks, including the Basque Mining Museum in Gallarta and the historic El Pobal Ironworks, one of the best-preserved examples of traditional iron production in the region. In 2025, the Montes de Hierro Greenway received the European Greenways Award, recognizing its outstanding integration of industrial heritage, sustainable mobility, and landscape conservation.

Contact data:

Contact person: Mónica Alonso Martínez  

>>> read more about the Iron Mountains Greenway

EUROPEAN GREENWAYS AWARD 2025

1st Prize: Vía Verde Montes de Hierro- Burdinmendi Greenway (Iron Mountains Greenway), presented by Enkarterrialde Association for Rural Development (Spain). The jury recognised this greenway for the transformation of a 39 km former mining railway into a greenway that serves as a living testimony to the industrial mining heritage of Bizkaia (Basque Country, Spain), while providing a high-quality and safe route for sustainable mobility. It successfully combines its remarkable industrial heritage with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscapes and has become an important tourist attraction that contributes to the local economy.