Irun - San Sebastián Day 1

We started our walk at about 0630. George was waiting outside our pension. I discovered a new truth. The more you ware the less you carry. By the end of the trip I will have an empty bag. The trail from Irun to San Sebastián is well marked with yellow arrows. We started going up and after almost 5 km we arrived at Santuario de Guadalupe.

This is a 16 century church over looking the Bidasoa valley. When the city of Hondarribia was besieged the virgin of Guadelupe protected the city for 69 days. The town built this church in her honor. Shortly after the trail leveled out. Lovely views of the countryside. Right before Pasajes de San Juan you start down the hill to the water and the town.

A town founded between 1180 and 1203. It was a prominent port and hosted the Spanish fleet for 400 years building part of the Spanish Armada. There is a small albergue with 14 beds in the city. After stopping for cafe con leche and tortilla, which is a potato omelet, we took a small boat across the water to San Pedro. As you walk out of the town, the hardest part of the hike awaites you. Stairs from the bottom to the top of the hill drain energy fast. At the top you walk by the light house and join the final trail to San Sebastian. The views are gorgeous.

Our last big climb was Mountain Ulio. At the top you pass by a beautiful albergue. It is run by a man called Aden. He belongs to a religion called The First Twelve Tribes. They live in a community which grows organic fruit and bakes breads. We stopped for a delicious drink of orange juice with mint and tasted his delicious breads. A touch more up hill; and, then, all down hill to San Sebastián. Stephanie, the basque manager from Pension Goiko found us a room for the night.

 

Sanctuary de Guadalupe 4.8km from Pension Lizaso

 

Glad the first climb to Guadalupe is over.

 

Irun on this side of the river and Hendaye, France on the other.

 

View of the valley we are walking along.

 

Have you seen the yellow arrow?

 

A coffee break in Pasajes San Juan

 

town of Pasajes San Juan

 

town of Pasajes San Juan

 

town of Pasajes San Juan

Most of the walk after Guadalupe is cobbled

 

Twelve Tribe Community albergue

 

Aden offering us cider and bread.

 

Path from the light house to San Sabastian.

 

Coast line

 

Finally arriving in San Sebastián.

 

Stu uses MotionX-GPS on the iPhone and is sharing with you the following track:

Name:		Irun - San Sebastián
Date:		May 14, 2013 6:25 am
Map: (valid until Nov 10, 2013)		View on Map
Distance:		24.7 kilometers
Elapsed Time:		7:23:30
Avg Speed:		3.3 km/h
Max Speed:		9.1 km/h
Avg Pace:		17' 57" per km
Min Altitude:		0 m
Max Altitude:		280 m
Start Time:		2013-05-14T04:25:37Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	43º 20' 26" N
	Longitude:	1º 47' 50" W
End Location:
	Latitude:	43º 19' 25" N
	Longitude:	1º 59' 08" W

 

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