Flysch is not a Spanish word, but it belongs to your learning about Spain. You will soon find out why and what it is, if you keep reading!
In a relatively small area of Northern Spain, in the autonomous region of the Basque Country, one can find oneself in amazement on the face of steeply-tilted layers of alternating soft and hard sedimentary rock. They are almost vertical in places. One peculiarity of those rocks is that a very long time ago they were more than 2 kilometres deep into the sea. At one point, when continental collisions occurred, they travelled upwards. 
The flysch we see on the coast near Deba, in Spain, presents this spectacular appearance shown in the photos. They look as if they were gigantic rock pages of a partly disintegrating book. As the sediments differ in hardness, one can appreciate some differential erosion. This produces what is called an abrasion platform (plataforma de abrasión o rasa mareal). An area next to the remaining hill that one can walk about, albeit some difficulties at times due to water deposits left behind as the tide retreats.
You can find paths clearly traced along the cliffs between Deba and Zumaia, which form part of the Geopark of the Basque Country. You will have great views of the coast from the top. To start preparing your visit or just to learn more click on the GEOPARKEA site. You can also get details about which paths are more suitable for you by visiting a tourist information office.
The area near Sakoneta beach can only be accessed by walking about 20 minutes, once you divert the car off the main winding road. But there are other areas that can be reached more easily by combining public transport and walking.
If you visit this stretch of the Spanish coast you will be looking at more than 50 million years worth of geological history. The sequence of strata contain one of the most important examples of a complete section of the Paleocene on Earth, with a great concentration of fossils. The Paleocene Epoch started with the mass extinction event of non-avian dinosaurs, giant marine reptiles and other fauna and flora, at the end of the Cretaceous.
The strata comprise a period of the Earth between 100 and 50 million years approximately. The most ancient strata are to the west of this region’s coastline.
Once you are done with your visits to the main cities of this area, Bilbao and San Sebastián, it could be the time to head to this fantastic coastal treasure. You will not be disappointed. If you cannot make it yet, THIS VIDEO CLIP will give you a better idea of what waits for you there.
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