Information about stage 3: Stage from Zarautz to Deba
| STAGE 3 |
KM 22.0 |
TIME It take 5 to 7 hours if you walk it in one day |
Itinerary
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Km 0. Zarautz (All services)
To get to Getaria there are a couple of possibilities: 1st . Next to the church of Santa María we can take the road that goes to Meagas and a few hundred meters later take the road to the hermitage of Santa Bárbara . It is an old road that climbs steeply between txakolí vineyards to the vicinity of the temple, consecrated in 1709 thanks to the contributions of the locals. From the hermitage you get a privileged panoramic view from Zarautz and its extensive beach. Then the official Way continues along a road until reaching the GI-3391 road that we take down for a few hundred meters after turning left, be careful, if you want to visit Getaria at this point continue straight along the road for 400 meters to the location. The official path continues at the aforementioned crossroads to the left until Askizu. 2nd . The second option runs along the pedestrian promenade next to the sea that runs parallel to the N-634, a route that took 8 years to build. The promenade is flat and very popular with sports fishermen and Zarautzans. We are seeing Mount San Antón, popularly known as the ‘mouse’, and at the entrance to Getaria , the birthplace of Juan Sebastián Elcano , we can leave the Camino for a few moments and visit the magnificent port of this fishing village, which is accessed under the passageway of the church of San Salvador .
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km 4.1. Getaria (All services)
We leave Getaria along a road that starts from Calle Herrerieta. The road progresses to the San Prudencio neighborhood , where the Kanpaia hostel is located , and then leads to the GI-3392 road. About 550 meters later we leave the asphalt to the left towards the Aziategi farmhouse , between vineyards and cornfields. A final slope places us next to the church of San Martín de Tours , in the Askizu neighborhood of Guetara . Next to the parish there is a fountain where we can take a break. Also, a few meters away, is the Agote Aundi hostel .
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Km 6.1. Askizu (Hostel-Bar)
The itinerary leaves Askizu and advances with unbeatable views of the Cantabrian Sea and Zumaia. We descend to the Gipuzkoan town along the slope of the mountain to the N-634. Next to the road, on the right hand side, is the House-Museum of the painter Ignacio Zuloaga and, attached to it, the hermitage of Santiago , from the 15th century. We finally access Zumaia by crossing the Urola River and going down the stairs to cross the Ángeles Sorazu promenade.
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km 9.1. Zumaia (All services)
We say goodbye to the town ascending to the convent of San José de las Carmelitas Descalzas , which functions as a municipal hostel in July and August , and to the hermitage of Arritokieta . Looking back you get a good final view of Zumaia and the mouth of the Urola . The rural road ends at a path that leads to the Elorriaga rest area (Km 12.4) , with a fountain and several tables. The Debarés neighborhood of Elorriaga can be reached both from the left, by track, and from the right, by path. At the entrance to this mountain nucleus there is a tavern.
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Km 13. Elorriaga (Bar)
In Elorriaga we follow the itinerary of the Camino de Santiago because there is also the GR-121, which runs closer to the coast. The Camino goes down to the National and crosses it to ascend a brutal ramp that takes us into a wooded path. This leg-breaking section goes around several gates and goes down again to the N-634, at the height of the Mardari neighborhood with a bar-restaurant at the foot of the road. We pass over the A-8 (Km 16.3) and continue carefully along the National. We shortly leave it to the right and proceed along a path that cuts off a large stretch of road, and which ascends again to the N-634 with a last very tough slope. We finally reach Itziar , where we well deserve another rest. TheSanctuary of Santa María de Itziar has been a mandatory stop on the Camino del Norte. The construction is from the 16th century and is built on a Romanesque temple. Inside, presiding over the altar, is the carving of the Virgin of Itziar , a venerated image from the 13th century. The hymn to the virgin goes like this: “Ave, from Itziar the Beautiful Virgin – Ave, dear Mother of the star sea” .
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km 18.5. Itziar (Bars. Shop)
A track, which unfortunately hides the old road, ascends the last few meters to the cemetery and descends towards Deba, which presents a steep drop in the last section. Next to the track is the hermitage of San Roque , which we can see in a colorful niche adorned with flowers and a pair of scallops (Km 21) . As soon as we enter the town, we pass by the IES Mendata and continue along Mogel street to take the elevator. The new hostel, inaugurated in June 2014 , is located in the train station building, at the foot of the estuary. Before going, you must go to the Tourist Office to stamp and register (Telephone 943 19 24 52). If it is closed, it can be done in the dependencies of theMunicipal Police , which are under the arcades of the square.
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Km 22. Deba (All services)
Difficulties
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Towards the hermitage of Santa Bárbara
If you have spent the night at the Igerain youth hostel, those who opt for the tougher option to get to Getaria have to go straight down until you find the detour to the hermitage on the left. If you take the church of Santa María La Real de Zarautz as a reference, you have to continue to the left until you find the indication on the right.
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Tough training ahead of tomorrow’s queen stage
The route between Zarautz and Deba does not give any respite. Except for the restful first stretch to Getaria, as long as we opt for the promenade parallel to the N-634, everything will be going up and down. A perfect workout for the stage between the Gipuzkoan and Biscayan divides that awaits us tomorrow.
Observations
It is more than recommendable, whether you go by coast or by mountains, on the way out of Zarautz, to pay a visit to the beautiful town of Getaria, the birthplace of Juan Sebastián Elcano.Be careful when going down to Deba, especially when it’s raining.All the towns through which today’s stage passes have catering services.The Lastur hostel is usually occupied by groups, if you want to spend the night in it, it is highly recommended to book in advance. The hostel is outside the official route of the road.
What to see, what to do
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DEBA
Located in the westernmost area of the Gipuzkoan coast, its origins date back to the mid-14th century. The residents of Monte Real de Itziar , to whom Sancho IV had granted the Puebla Charter in 1294, wanted to get closer to the sea to be able to dedicate themselves to fishing, founding the town of Monreal de Deba . In the 15th century, Deba experienced a period of splendor thanks to the maritime transport of wool from Castilla and Aragón from its port to other European countries. As in many other towns on the Basque coast, the 19th century brought the decline of the fishing sector and port activity. Thus, Deba transforms its activity towards tourism purposes.
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Parish Church of Santa María
An austere exterior structure hides inside a tall nave supported by cylindrical columns and Romanesque bas-reliefs from the 13th century. The construction of the temple was financed by the inhabitants of Deba thanks to the taxes that came from the export of wool to Flanders, England and other European countries . The entrance portico is magnificent, probably also from the 13th century, adorned by the sculptures of the twelve apostles. The Gothic cloister is from the 17th century.
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Deba has two beaches
Santiago and Lapari . Also, thanks to the Cárdenas and Pablo Sorozabal promenades, you can admire the coastal profile and get magnificent views of the Cantabrian coast.
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- Between Zumaia and Deba there are large flysch formations , a geological phenomenon produced by the erosive action of the sea on stratified rocks.
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The patron saint festivities
, in honor of San Roque, are celebrated between August 14 and 20. On the 16th the image of the Saint leaves the church and is carried in procession to his hermitage after the popular “Jorrai Dantza” .