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Stage 1 · Camino del Norte

Irún → San Sebastián

824km km to Santiago
24,6 km Distance +700 m Ascent −700 m Descent 31,6 km Effort 9 h 54 Time needed · On foot

Guadalupe, the Jaizkibel and Pasaia

The Camino del Norte starts in earnest. This is 24.6 kilometres with 700 metres of ascent and as much descent, moderate difficulty, and almost all of that climbing comes in one go. You leave Irún through the old town and past the church of El Juncal, cross the Bidasoa by the marshes and soon begin the pull up to the sanctuary of Guadalupe, above Hondarribia, with the bay of Txingudi dropping further below at every bend.

From Guadalupe the route takes to the Jaizkibel. There are two well-marked options: the ridge, harder and with views along the whole coast, and the mid-slope track, which is easier going. They come together again before the long descent to Pasai Donibane, a village of a single street pressed against the water and the best place to eat. There you cross the harbour mouth on the little ferry to Pasai San Pedro.

One climb is left, steps and a path up to the Faro de la Plata and Monte Ulia, and then a descent through woodland to Zurriola beach and the Gros district. San Sebastián is a city with everything, and both the hostel and the hotels fill up in summer.

Tips

Get a stamp in Irún before you set off, at the church of El Juncal or at the hostel: it is the departure stamp for your parchment, and Pasai Donibane and Ulia are good places for the ones along the way.

Have a big breakfast in Irún: there is nowhere to stop before Pasaia.

If there is fog or a strong wind, take the Jaizkibel track and not the ridge.

The Pasaia ferry crosses in a few minutes and you pay on board; carry coins or small change.

Book a bed in San Sebastián well ahead: it is a tourist city and in summer it runs out of places.

There is no water and no services on the Jaizkibel between Guadalupe and Pasaia: leave with a full bottle.

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Profile and services

Elevation profile of the stage from Irún to San Sebastián, 24.6 kilometres, with services placed at their kilometre point.

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Irún 24.6 km San Sebastián

What's there today

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Tips from people who walked it

The things that do not expire: where the fountain actually is, which bar opens at six, where not to go in the rain.

None here yet. If you have just walked this stage, you know something tomorrow’s pilgrim does not.

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Emergencies

Call 112

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Say where you are I am walking the Camino del Norte, on the stage from Irún to San Sebastián.

The map

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What to see on this stage 17

  1. Iglesia evangélica Church km 0,0
  2. Junkalgo Amaren eliza Church km 0,0
  3. Parroquia Sagrada Familia Church km 0,5
  4. Iglesia Evangélica El Despertar de Dios Church km 0,6
  5. Iglesia de San Gabriel y Santa Gema Church km 0,8
  6. San Miguel de Garikoitz Church km 1,3
  7. Santiagotxo Ermita Church km 3,5
  8. Guadalupeko ermita Church km 5,2
  9. Santo Kristo Bonantzakoaren eliza Church km 16,8
  10. Santa Ana baseliza Church km 17,0
  11. San Juan Bataiatzailearen parrokia Church km 17,0
  12. San Pedro Church km 17,3
  13. Las Doce Tribus Church km 21,0
  14. Mariaren Bihotzaren parrokia Church km 23,6
  15. San Ignazio Loiolakoaren eliza Church km 24,1
  16. Kaputxinoen konbentua Church km 24,8
  17. San Vicente eliza Church km 24,9

What you will find 1071