PhotoTR Monte Igueldo (San Sebastian, Spain)

[iplfHoly crap you have a HUGE donkey!]

As always, whenever I book a citytrip or holiday, I look for rollercoasters in the area. This time, my destination was Bilbao and a little town in the Basque Country: Mutriku, where my friend is living for a year. I knew about a scenic railway coaster in San Sebastian, but didn’t think we would do the 80 minute train ride to get the credit. However, my friend told me it was a beautiful city, so we took the trip, and checked out the park, called Monte Igueldo.

As expected, it didn’t really turn out to be a theme park, but more a collection of a few rides and some shops. However, I was VERY impressed by this little park! The view was breathtaking, the rollercoaster was pretty cool and it had probably the most scary log flume ever. Besides that, there were some kiddie rides and a few places to grab a snack or win some toys. Prices were very reasonable. I paid 2 euro for the rollercoaster, and I don’t think any rides were more than 3 euro.

Seriously, if you’re in the area, this park is a must-do. It’ll only take you a few hours or less, but it’s a pretty cool experience. The view alone is worth the price for the cable ride up there.

San Sebastian Bay. Who finds the 'ride' on the beach? Hint: Europe!

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The park is all the way up that left hill. Excited?!

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Now we're talking! Your hosts + the view from the mountain where the theme park is. Absolutely amazing!

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Crazy Log flume! No protection at all!

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Whoops, empty now!

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[iplfHoly crap you have a HUGE donkey!]

2nd part

[ginzoWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

This town is on my sightseeing short list, but for the food, not the amusement park.

[iplfHoly crap you have a HUGE donkey!]

Last part. If you need any specific pictures, feel free to ask. I have some more on my harddisk.

[David Hthe ghost seems to think there is a "Donkey Fairy"]

Without question, the coaster at Monte Igueldo has THE most spectacular view of any coaster I've ever been on. We had said that just a few days earlier at Tibidabo, where the coaster overlooks Barcelona. But Monte Igueldo knocks that one out of the water. On one side, you've got the long beautiful coastline far below with water breaking over the rocks. On the other side, you have the beautiful bay of San Sebastian with fortresses guarding the circular beach area. And in all other directions are mountains and forests. Anyone I show the pictures to is stunned.

It's a nice little park, too. The coaster itself is fun, though not too wild, but again, it has the most spectacular views ever. It's the oldest coaster in Spain, and it's also unique in that it's neither a wood nor a steel coaster. It's built on concrete with concrete supports. Yes, there are metal rails on it, but there are also metal rails on wood coasters, too. So, it's my only "concrete coaster" credit. If Mitch starts up a concrete coaster poll, it should be an easy one to fill out!

They also have some cute ducky bumper boats, which we had fun on, as well as a few smaller rides and games. The two dark rides were find of neat, too. They also have a historic tower you can go up to get even more amazing photos of the surrounding area.

When I first saw the schedule of ACE's trip to Spain, I was wondering why were going SO far out of the way for just one coaster. Sure it was historic and all, but it's HOURS out of the way from anything else we were doing. Once we got there, I understood why Monte Igueldo is a must-visit park. And to top it off, they gave us a LAVISH meal,in their dining room, with breathtaking views.

[cal1br3ttoWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

I really want to go to this park. The coaster looks scenic and fun, and I love how it's the only non-wood ACE Coaster Classic. (That's totally not how I first discovered it...fine, yes it is.) Looks like some of the other attractions are also worth checking out! The flume ride looks scary!

Without question, the coaster at Monte Igueldo has THE most spectacular view of any coaster I've ever been on.

It's a fight to the death....



VS.

[David Hthe ghost seems to think there is a "Donkey Fairy"]

Well, I did say the most spectacular view of any coaster *I* have been on! Plus, remember that the view on the other side of the bay and beach and fortresses is pretty spectacular too.

But that's quite the view as well. Where is it?

[DirkFunkDoes Jeff Johnson count this donkey as a credit?]

That's gotta be Ocean Park in Hong Kong. Man, I'd take the undeveloped pristine coastline over the condos any day, but that's just me.

[David Hthe ghost seems to think there is a "Donkey Fairy"]

^ Well, the view on the other side isn't at all undeveloped or pristine, for better or for worse. Still, it's pretty spectacular as well. You can see some of it in the 3rd, 5th and 6th pictures above. It can be hard to get a good picture of the entire bay on that side, though.

And don't forget the view at the base of the lift hill of the rubber ducky bumper boats!