Train Txikito was born in 1898 by the British company Bidasoa Railway and Mines. It is a tensile steam that was built to transport minerals from mines to the mines of Endarlaza from Irun. At the beginning, the railway was 11 kilometers long, and then, in addition to the mineral, they began to use the train to transport other goods: wood, coal, iron or animals.
There is no longer a trace of the railway, instead we will find a flat and comfortable road, suitable for the excursion. The bidegorri starts in the Behobia district of Irun, on the same bridge that Gipuzkoa connects with Lapurdi. On the bicycle, we have done it smoothly until Endarlatsa, intercaling the concrete road with the gravel road. We have walked all the time along the bank of the Bidasoa River and will accompany us throughout the journey. The river was born in Erratzu, from the confluence of the channels of Xorroxin, Izpegi and Iztauz, to Oronoz-Mugaire is called Baztan and from Doneztebe, to its mouth in Txingudi Bay, the Bidasoa. Taking advantage of the river currents, we have seen the rowing associations of Donostia and Irun training with piragua. In the month of July, the International Descent of Bidasoa is carried out by the piranzas. In Endarlatsa we have found the fishermen trying to fish for the trout and above all for the most famous salmon in the Bidasoa. They are carried out in shifts, as the number of fishermen and the fishing time are regulated. The first salmon of the Bidasoa is a very important prize for all pescadores.El Endarlaza Bridge separates
Gipuzkoa and Navarra; we have seen the power plant on our left and, even if it is hidden, about 50 meters you can see a hermitage with its own bridge on the right.

109 wagons and three classes

The Txikito Train extended to Elizondo and was prepared to bring travelers in addition to the merchandise. The first trip with the people took place in 1916 from Irun to Elizondo, a great celebration was held on the finish line and the train received the blessing of the bishop at the end. It had four large locomotives (Navarra, Bizkaya, Guipuzkoa and Álava) and three small ones, and by 1936 it had 109 wagons. Of these, 18 were for passengers, 12 meters in length each, and they were first-, second- and third-class wagons - also with a van. The wagons, at least the best ones, had electric light, heating, place to pray and bathroom, among other things. The tour consists of 51.5 kilometers and 23 stops, eight tunnels and several iron bridges. An extension project was also planned to Pamplona, but it was never taken
to cabo.No to Elizondo, but today the Via Verde reaches Doneztebe. We continue on the route of the old railway, and as soon as we cross Endarlatsa we find a long tunnel about 150 meters long. There is more than one tunnel along the way, but as long as this one there are only two more – the second one about to reach Igantzi and the third one before Sunbilla – and the motion sensors allow the light to turn on automatically in the three – there is also a switch in the entrances of the tunnels – but in case it is advisable to carry a flashlight.
We have had lunch in Bera, the road passes through the village fronton and there is the fountain. In addition, it has a nice field to sit in. Next, it has hit us to cross the N-121 to resume the road. Only in this section is the route to the road, but once or twice near the N-121and on a couple of occasions crosses over the head the renovated highway. About to leave you behind, we have seen the urgency
in the Otsango neighborhood. It could also be called the trail of the dams, as there are many that we will find in the Bidasoa to Doneztebe. There are also viewpoints and seats on the river bank. About to reach Igantzi, we thanked the source of Itturxar, we have continued to walk surrounded by trees, suddenly we have seen the hydroelectric power plant and we have crossed the village of Sunbilla. After a few more kilometres, we arrived at Doneztebe on a nice bridge over the Bidasoa River.
From Behobia to Doneztebe/Santesteban, we have traveled a total of 36.7 kilometers on a well-prepared tour that combines the runway and gravel runway. If it has rained before, yes, wells and mud can be formed in some areas. In fact, we've been climbing up to Doneztebe, but there's hardly any uphill, and we've crossed a lot of cyclotourists and pedestrians, plus two girls going on horseback. It is a trip without loss, although it has no signs or indications of towns, kilometres, etc. agradecer.En Doneztebe/Santesteban have searched for
a place to eat; at three hours the time that we have taken to reach the village of Malerreka has not come and we have planned a little more for the return. The train arrived from Irún to Elizondo in two hours and ten minutes, in 1946. It was in operation for another ten years, because it wasn't profitable until the service was closed.

Decay, floods and farewell

The difficulties to be economically profitable were experienced by Tren Txikito from the beginning. In 1920, it reached the highest number of passengers, 171,000 people, and was progressively declining. The turning point was 1953, when the savage floods of that year started 400 metres of railways and replaced the road with great work. The neighbors say that when the river overflowed, the fields were filled with salmon and the workers who repaired the road were given salmon to eat every day. The operators, fed up with fish, had carried out a hunger strike at the zona.Para then, the trucks and vans were
more competitive in freight transport, the bus was more profitable for passenger transport, and cars were also increasing. In 1956, drowned by debts, Tren Txikito made his last trip. The inauguration was a great celebration, while the farewell “only a few nostalgic approached”, the chronicles of the time point. If you want to know more about this journey full of history and history, the elders of Malerreka and Bidasoaldea will tell you a lot of anecdotes.