Hondarribia-Pasaia-San Sebastian 28 km back by bus
near Puntalea, País Vasco (España)
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Trail photos
Itinerary description
Hiking times Hondarribia-Guadalupe Church 1h10; Guadelupe Church-Jaizkibel Summit 1h10; Jaizkibel Summit-Pasai Donibane Ferry 2h10; Pasai San Pedro Ferry-Zurriola Beach 2h00; Zurriola Beach-Bus stop Plaza de Gipuzkoa 0h40 (total 6h10 without breaks).
From the starting point you directly walk into the old town of Hondarribia via Puerta de Santa Maria. You walk around the church and then onto Arma Plaza. Via Gipuzkoa Plaza you continue towards Calle/Kalea San Pedro and Santiago. At the end of Kalea Santiago are outdoor elevators taking you to a viewpoint above Hondarribia. You then walk through the outskirts of town to a street (Akartegi Auzoa) taking you up the hill past the cemetery, with views of Hendaye across the Bidasoa River. You continue on minor roads into an area with forests and houses obscuring the views. There is a shortcut on a minor, steep path, and a bit further you take a path to Guadalupe fortress. You walk along the moat and then to the Guadalupe church. You cross the main Jaizkibel road and continue on the camino. The path takes you onto the ridge of the mountain. Shortly after the church there is a very steep section, but it then flattens off, and views open up. The path takes you past a torre (tower), a dolmen and occasional cattle to another torre near Mirador Jaizkibel. The views across the valley here are great. You continue your final climb to the summit of Jaizkibel at 545 meters. Beyond is an area with communication towers surrounded by fences. You walk around the communication towers between such a fence and the precipice, and then continue on the path on the mountain ridge. This section offers less views, but a total of three towers. At the last tower (number 1), you go down to the road, cross it and take another path around Mitxintxola Mendia hill. In this area there is some pasture and I saw a griffon vulture. The path continues on the ridge from Mitxintxola Mendia down to Punta Artxina. This ridge becomes very sharp with precipices on both sides, and occasional scrambling (not difficult unless you have fear of heights). The views towards Pasaia harbor, a natural harbor between two mountain ridges, are great. At the end of the path a steep road brings you down to the water and continues along it to Pasai Donibane. This village with a strong Basque identity is situated beautifully between harbor and Jaizkibel mountain. In the middle of the village is a pedestrian ferry (also for cyclists) taking you across the harbor to Pasai San Pedro for 70 cents. On the square here you can find a water tap. You walk towards the sea along the road taking you past among others a heritage Basque shipyard. At the end of the road is a pier, and steps take you up past the lighthouse onto Ulia mountain. You get to a road, follow this towards another lighthouse, and then take a path along Ulia mountain towards San Sebastian/Donostia. This path also offers great views, but also leads through green coastal forests. Close to San Sebastian you walk out of the forests and views of cliffs and San Sebastian (Igeldo Mountain) open up. A bit further you start your descent into town. At the start of the descent you have a great view of Zurriola beach. Once down into town you walk along the beach to Puente de Zurriola and then into the old town. The old town consists of a grid of narrow roads with high buildings and an occasional square. The old town is full of pintxos bars and it is really worth it to sample some with e.g. a glass of local Txakoli wine (you are almost at the end of your hike!). Your route through the old town takes you past the Basílica de Santa María del Coro and Plaza de la Constitución. You then walk towards the La Concha bay at the Parque de Alderdieder. Here you have a great view of the bay with the great sandy beach. Finally, you walk to Plaza de Gipuzkoa where you can find the bus stop for your ride back to Hondarribia.
Waypoints
Akartegi Auzoa
Road past the cemetery uphill out of town with views towards Hendaye
Along Zurriola Beach
From here you walk on the boulevard along Zurriola Beach towards Urumea River and the Zurriola bridge across that river
Basílica de Santa María del Coro
Basílica de Santa María del Coro in the old town of San Sebastian
Coastal Path to San Sebastian
You follow the way-posted coastal path from here to San Sebastian/Donostia through Ulia nature reserve with nice coastal views and forests.
Coastal Pilgrim's Way to Santiago
From the Guadalupe church on you follow the Camino across the Jaizkibel ridge. Shortly after this waypoint, there is a steep section, but it is a mostly gentle climb.
Continuation ridge path
After you passed the communication towers on the summit of Jaizkibel, you continue on this path on the ridge. This section has a bit less views than the section before the summit.
Elevator stairs
Open air escalators to a viewpoint above the old town start here
Ferry
Passenger ferry from Pasai Donibane to Pasai San Pedro across the Ría de Pasaia. Fee was 70 cents.
Final climb to Jaizkibel
The last stretch of the climb on the ridge to Jaizkibel summit
Fortress of Guadalupe
You walk along the moat of the fortress of Guadalupe to the entrance and then on to the Guadelupe church on the main road.
Old Town of San Sebastian
Here you enter the old town of San Sebastian with a square grid of narrow roads with high buildings and a lot pintxos bars and restaurants
Parque de Alderdieder
Parque de Alderdieder on the edge of the La Concha bay with the city hall (Ayuntamiento) next to the park
Pasai Donibane
Pasai Donibane is a town wedged between the Ría de Pasaia and Jaizkibel with a strong Basque identity.
Paseo de Bonanza
Paseo de Bonanza is a road which initially steeply descends to sea level and then follows the Ría de Pasaia to Pasai Donibane.
Path along Azariondo ridge
Path on the ridge from Mitxintxola Mendia down to Punta Artxina
Path along communication towers
Path between fence around communication towers and the precipice
Path around Mitxintxola Mendia
Path around Mitxintxola Mendia (mountain) through pasture and little woods, and a bit further views of the sea.
Plaza de Gipuzkoa
Here you can take the bus back to Hondarribia. The E21 line to Hondarribia Airport with onward connection to Sabin Arana Kalea is most convenient. It ends up only 100 meters from the starting point, and it only has a few stops on the way. See http://www.lurraldebus.eus/
Plaza de la Constitución
Plaza de la Constitución in the center of San Sebastian
Cresterio de Punta Artxina
Sharp ridge with precipices on both sides, and occasional scrambling (not difficult unless you have fear of heights). At a few places cables are provided to hold on to. You have a great view of the entrance to the Ría Pasaia with the lighthouse.
Steep shortcut
You cut short a serpentine of the road by going up a steep path through the woods
Steps past lighthouse
Here you enter steps that take you up past the lighthouse with good views of the entrance of the Ría de Pasaia
Summit Jaizkibel
Summit of Jaizkibel mountain with excellent views and communication towers close by.
Torre de Errazmuko
Torre de Errazmuko is one of a series of old observation towers on Jaizkibel ridge
Torre de Santa Bárbara
Torre de Santa Bárbara is one of a series of old observation towers on Jaizkibel ridge
Torre Jaizkibel I
Torre Jaizkibel I is one of a series of old observation towers on Jaizkibel ridge. This is the first one counting from Pasaia, but the last one on this trip
Torre Jaizkibel II
Torre Jaizkibel II is one of a series of old observation towers on Jaizkibel ridge
Torre Xangaxi
Torre XangaxiT is one of a series of old observation towers on Jaizkibel ridge
View of Zurriola Beach
Here you have a good view of Zurriola Beach and San Sebastian center beyond. If you go further down, there are no views any more (obstructed by buildings).
Viewpoint along coast
When you get out of the forest on Monte Ulía, you have nice views of cliffs and towards San Sebastian
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