The final day’s hike takes us past – not through! – fields populated by the famous fighting bulls of Arriola to the clifftop chapel of Santa Catalina, where we pick up the GR121 long distance footpath and what is known as the flysch route that ascends from the town of Deba. From here on, we follow the coast for the rest of the day, at times high up on the cliffs and at times descending to the shore, on what is without doubt the most spectacular section of the Gipuzkoa coast. Highlights along the route include the sublime views from the top of Mendatagaina that stretch along the coast towards France and the descent to the shore at Sakoneta, the most striking part of the flysch at the heart of the Basque Coast Geopark. We ascend from Sakoneta to the hamlet of Elorriaga on the Way of St. James coastal route, passing txakoli vineyards and on to the scattered farmhouses around Andika.
From here we can either follow the road for a short distance along the Way of St.James to our accomodation at the working farm of Santa Klara, perched on the cliff tops high above the fishing port of Zumaia (option a) or descend once again to the coast and another scenic part of the flysch to the clifftop chapel of San Telmo and the Talasoterapia-Zelai Hotel&Spa above Itzurun beach, recently made famous for being the setting for Game of Thrones (option b), just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre of Zumaia. In the case of both options, Zumaia is a great town to explore with its fine beaches and bustling pintxo bars.
Overnight Santa Klara (option a) or Talasoterapia-Zelai Hotel&Spa (option b)
Day_4_Arriola_to_Santa_Klara_basquecountrywalks
Day_4_Arriola_to_Santa_Klara_altitude_gain_basquecountrywalks
Day_4_Arriola_to_Talasoterapia_Zelai_basquecountrywalks
Day_4_Arriola_to_Talasoterapia_Zelai_altitudegain_basquecountrywalks
Distance/walking time/cumulative elevation gain:
Option a): 15.4km / 4h20min / 670m approx.
Option b): 16.9km / 4h45min /680m approx.