Camino Vasco through the hills and mountains, called Saiatz trail.

[Mendizale]

It is certainly a very picturesque and spectacular trail with mountain sightseeings that goes through the deep Basque Country. Saiatz is an ancient pilgrimage route but very few do it nowadays. https://www.tolosaldea.eus/es/que-hacer/la-ruta-del-interior-del-camino-de-santiago/ I live in Beasain and I know quite well the area, as I usually hike in those mountains. When reviewing maps, I see that the stage from Bidania extends to Zegama. Maybe too long and you miss two super top spots that are in the Vasco, the albergue hospitalero of Beasain and the small town of Segura. So in this thread I propose to join Saiatz alternative trail with Vasco route in Beasain in order of joining it in Zegama. I think that if someone asked me for advice, I would recommend that after Mount Murumendi in order to keep the Saiatz when turning right to Mandubia, you head straight to Mount Usurbe wich has spectacular views of the Goierri valley. And from Usurbe mountain, to walk down to Beasain joining the Vasco trail which comes from the valley and to go to the albergue hospitalero that certainly is a gem. From Beasain on next day I would keep the Vasco vía Olaberria, Idiazabal and Segura, until Zegama. Segura is a very nice small medium age village so I recommend to keep this Vasco trail once you arrive to Beasain. Around here we all use the Wikiloc app and it is a very useful mountain trail app. From Murumendi via Usurbe to Beasain: https://eu.wikiloc.com/ibilbide-sen...ium=app&utm_campaign=share&utm_source=6300530. All the best!!
Highly recommended to walk up to summit of Murumendi! It has stunning views of ocean, mountain ranges, surrounding valleys... Not in vane , the summit is an archeological site, under the ground there are the rests of an iron age village. https://historiadeguipuzcoa.blogspot.com/2013/02/exposicion-sobre-murumendi-beasain.html?

 

[Takahiwai]

It is certainly a very spectacular trail with mountain sightseeings that goes through the deep Basque Country. I live in Beasain and I know quite well the area, as I usually hike in those mountains. When reviewing maps, I see that the stage from Bidania extends to Zegama. Maybe too long and you miss two super top spots that are in the Vasco, the albergue hospitalero of Beasain and the small town of Segura. So in this thread I propose to join Saiatz route with Vasco route in Beasain in order of joining it in Zegama. I think that if someone asked me for advice, I would recommend that from Mount Murumendi in order to keep the Saiatz, you head to Mount Usurbe, with spectacular views of the valley. And from Usurbe mountain, to walk down to Beasain joining the Vasco trail from the valley and to go to the albergue hospitalero that certainly is a jem. From Beasain on next day you I would keep the Vasco vía Olaberria, Idiazabal and Segura, until Zegama. Segura is a very nice small medium age village so I recommend to keep this Vasco trail once you arrive to Beasain. Around here we all use the Wikiloc app and it is a very useful mountain trail app. All the best!!
From Murumendi via Usurbe to Beasain: https://eu.wikiloc.com/ibilbide-sen...ium=app&utm_campaign=share&utm_source=6300530

I am about 1km away from Beasain right now, and if I'd been in better physical condition, I would certainly have taken the Saiatz alternative. The bicycle track through the valley is brutal on the feet.

 

[Mendizale]

I am about 1km away from Beasain right now, and if I'd been in better physical condition, I would certainly have taken the Saiatz alternative. The bicycle track through the valley is brutal on the feet.

Yes I believe you, animo! Enjoy your next stages!

 

[Mendizale]

I am about 1km away from Beasain right now, and if I'd been in better physical condition, I would certainly have taken the Saiatz alternative. The bicycle track through the valley is brutal on the feet.

The best breakfast bar in town is Blues Bar, highly recommended! You can have very nice pintxos or tapas there too, it's a brilliant place, but not the only one as eatingin the basque country is a joy.

 

[Takahiwai]

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[peregrina2000]

I walked the Saiatz alternative 5 years ago, and I agree it is very beautiful! If you want to see more discussion of this mountain alternative, just put Saiatz in the search function and you’ll get a lot of posts to read! Some brochures here.

My live thread is here.

 

[Mendizale]

I walked the Saiatz alternative 5 years ago, and I agree it is very beautiful! If you want to see more discussion of this mountain alternative, just put Saiatz in the search function and you’ll get a lot of posts to read! Some brochures here.

My live thread is here.

Thanks, eskerrik asko!

 

[Mendizale]

H!i if you are a pilgrim and you are thinking about heading Saiatz route, do think about a place to spend the night in the stage that ends in Bidania. There are no alternatives in the village other than a 4 stars palace hotel, maybe a superb experience after crossing Ernio mountain but for sure not cheap. I recommend to read the threads of Michael and Peregrina2000, they are some of that brave people that did the Saiatz trail. Peregrina2000 found a rural hotel in Errezil, a tiny village in the slopes of Ernio. Others have chosen to take a public transport (bus) to Tolosa wich is located down in the valley and look for easier and cheaper accomodation. Tolosa is a medium size town that is worth a visit around in the evening. And on the next day early in the morning they came back to Bidania by bus also and restarted the Saiatz trail. Regards to everyone! Sorry for my English, not native speaker as it is obvious . I am basque as mother tongue

 

[peregrina2000]

She found a rural hotel in Errezil, a tiny village in the slopes of Ernio.

It was a very pretty little town, but I have to say the descent was 300 VERY steep meters. And then back up the next morning, of course, but that was much easier.

 

[Mendizale]

It is certainly a very spectacular trail with mountain sightseeings that goes through the deep Basque Country. I live in Beasain and I know quite well the area, as I usually hike in those mountains. When reviewing maps, I see that the stage from Bidania extends to Zegama. Maybe too long and you miss two super top spots that are in the Vasco, the albergue hospitalero of Beasain and the small town of Segura. So in this thread I propose to join Saiatz route with Vasco route in Beasain in order of joining it in Zegama. I think that if someone asked me for advice, I would recommend that from Mount Murumendi in order to keep the Saiatz, you head to Mount Usurbe wich has spectacular views of the Goierri valley. And from Usurbe mountain, to walk down to Beasain joining the Vasco trail from the valley and to go to the albergue hospitalero that certainly is a jem. From Beasain on next day I would keep the Vasco vía Olaberria, Idiazabal and Segura, until Zegama. Segura is a very nice small medium age village so I recommend to keep this Vasco trail once you arrive to Beasain. Around here we all use the Wikiloc app and it is a very useful mountain trail app. All the best!!
From Murumendi via Usurbe to Beasain: Highly recommended to walk up to summit of Murumendi, as it has views of ocean, mountain ranges, etc. https://eu.wikiloc.com/ibilbide-sen...ium=app&utm_campaign=share&utm_source=6300530

A Camino de Santiago or Donejakue Bidea signpost in the beech forest around Murumendi -Saiatz Bidea-. According to Basque beliefs, it is one of the living places of the goddess Mari. Once a year, in Beasain town's fiestas opening night, at 22 pm, it is done the performance "Mariren Jeitsiera" (the descent of Mari from Murumendi mountain).

 

[Mendizale]

At least in Beasain if your idea is arriving to the albergue hospitalero de Beasain, speaking about having a good meal in restaurants: Asador Urkiola (the best top quality but not cheap. Awesome basque traditional food), Hotel Dolarea restaurant (good quality/price restaurant), Artzai Enea ( very good quality/price menú del día), Arrano Taberna (best good quality/price menú del día in town, know that this is a bit noisy basque nationalist tavern as you eat in the bar, no restaurant room), Aldaxka (cheap and big plato combinado dishes). And about traditional gastronomic bars to eat some pintxos or raciones: Bar Plazape, Usurbe Taberna, Basakana Taberna, Bar Kuluxka, Blai Taberna, and Blues Gastro Bar (breakfasts in the last one are the best in the valley!). If you are gourmet people and no worry about taking a taxi to enjoy a great meal, then I would recommend Itsasoko Ostatua.
Take in mind that menú del día are not shared, you order one per person. You won't find menú peregrino in this region. Traditionally ordering la carta we sometimes share first course and then each one orders a second course for eachone.

 

[Mendizale]

H!i if you are a pilgrim and you are thinking about heading Saiatz route, do think about a place to spend the night in the stage that ends in Bidania. There are no alternatives in the village other than a 4 stars palace hotel, maybe a superb experience after crossing Ernio mountain but for sure not cheap. I recommend to read the threads of Michael and Peregrina2000, they are some of that brave people that did the Saiatz trail. Peregrina2000 found a rural hotel in Errezil, a tiny village in the slopes of Ernio. Others have chosen to take a public transport (bus) to Tolosa wich is located down in the valley and look for easier and cheaper accomodation. Tolosa is a medium size town that is worth a visit around in the evening. And on the next day early in the morning they came back to Bidania by bus also and restarted the Saiatz trail. Regards to everyone! Sorry for my English, not native speaker as it is obvious . I am basque as mother tongue

Hi again, Yesterday I did again Bidania -Beasain trail, and recorded in a Wikiloc track, my aportation for members of this forum aswell , few asphalt. Took the bus TO 05 at 9:00 in Tolosa and I was already in Bidania 20 minutes later. Bus was perfectly in time.

The track starts from Bidania's church, follows the yellow arrows until Murumendi mountain and later after descending from mount Usurbe, the route crosses the most beautiful places in Beasain: the rural neighborhood of Erauskin, the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Ascensión, the Plaza de San Martín, Calle Mayor (we call it Kale Nagusia) and It ends at the pilgrim albergue located in the Igartza monumental complex (XVI century).

Bidania - Murumendi - Usurbe - Beasain

Wikiloc | Bidania - Murumendi - Usurbe - Beasain Ibilbidea Bidania, País Vasco (España) [eu] Murumendi magaleraino Donejakue bidea (Saiatz mendi alternatiba) jarraituz gerturatuko gara. Murumenditik ondoren, Agorta, Usurbe eta Beasainera mendi ibilbideetatik jeitsiko gara. Eguraldi oneko...

eu.wikiloc.com

 

[Ena Nova]

Kaixo! My friend and I walked the Camino Vasco at the beginninf of may and wanted to do the variante Saiatz (2 stages) from Hernani to Bidania and from Bidania to Beasain. However as the weather forcast wasn't good enough for the first day, we walked the official valley route to Tolosa and on the next day we took the bus to Bidania and followed the way that Mendizale proposed - from Bidania to Beasain. This was the best decision ever as the views were really breathtaking! Especially from the Murumendi and Usurbe peaks. We took the UK02 7.35 bus, started walking at 8.00 and enjoyed every step of it. We stayed almost 2 hours at the top of Murumendi and an hour at Usurbe as the feeling of freedom there was enormous. The views almost made me cry.
The way is well marked but with some tricky points so I do recommend everybody to download Mendizale's Wikiloc track.
The beautiful scenery of this stage can be compared to the most attractive one - through the Adrian's tunnel. So again esker mila to Mendizale for showing it to us.
I'll add some photos with comments later

..

 

[Mendizale]

Ez horregatik! Very glad to read your words Tereza! This is the spirit of the Camino, helping others after being helped by other ones.And so nice to hear you tried to do pleasantries in euskera, as you saw people responded very well to your effort.
Peace and love for everyone one!
Eskerrik Asko! Ondo izan eta gozatu bizia!

 

[Ena Nova]

Very nice pictures! Btw, my wife, daughters, grandma an I live 50 metres by the church of Beasain.
All the best!

So maybe we saw your house, but were not aware of it.
Well, you live in a very beautiful part of Beasain. No wonder, you like the ascent to Usurbe, it's on your doorstep. And it's a fantastic afterwork activity, very satisfying. We met a young woman on the way up - and I was thinking about charging her for speeding - In Beasain we unfortunately didn't follow your steps exactly, as we lost the thread in that park with a million paths in all directions just behind the town. But we were early enough to have a look around the town too.

 

[Mendizale]

As pilgrimage is about being heart opened, being humble, respectful and trying to understand the lands and people you're crossing, there is a super well known novel book that describes an entire generation born in the 50's-60's and native to the area that Saiatz trail crosses, small basque towns in the the basque hills and valleys.

It is " The Accordionist's Son" by Bernardo Atxaga, the most international basque writer.

 

[kptorrahk]

Thanks a lot for the alternative route tip!

I have another question: I'm considering walking the Vasco Interior end of october/beginning november. I guess I should expect to walk it entirely alone? And do you think the weather will be ok?

 

[Mendizale]

Thanks a lot for the alternative route tip!

I have another question: I'm considering walking the Vasco Interior end of october/beginning november. I guess I should expect to walk it entirely alone? And do you think the weather will be ok?

Considering that the pilgrims donativo hostel in Beasain closes in ending October, are you sure you'd like to walk the vasco interior in ending October or November? This is their mobile phone if you'd need some more info. 0034 74748677

In Gipuzkoa, Days with precipitation account for more than 65% of the total and clear days represent no more than 13%. This is a climate with abundant precipitation, well distributed throughout the year: the number of days with rain or snow is more than 190 on average...
In the valleys weather is a bit more extreme than in the coast and autumn, specifically October and November are transitional months, with weeks alternating between sunny days with a southerly wind and weeks with a lot of rain and drastic drops in temperature. In any case, climate change is already a fact and snow, which was very common in the valleys in January and February, is hardly seen anymore. When my daughter was little, she once asked me why the sky in the Basque Country was always white and in drawings it is blue. If you plan to walk along the coast and Atlantic valleys, you have to be prepared for rain and sun at the same time since the weather is very changeable. Once you cross Aizkorri range (San Adrian tunnel) and go down to the Llanada Alavesa plateau weather is dryer and colder in winter and hotter in summer.

If you take the route through Oria river valley, be prepared to do it alone, although you will continually come across walkers, cyclists and runners, industry oriented towns, medium age downtowns (Tolosa, Ordizia, Segura), factories and workers and engineers going on. No way of getting bored. It is a very lively and populated valley. On the other hand, if you take the Saiatz alternative, be prepared to do it completely alone. On weekends you will meet hikers in the Hernio mountain range (Zelatun pass) and Murumendi mountain , but outside of those two mountains, you will be alone on the Saiatz Camino.

 

[Mendizale]

Once you are in Beasain albergue de peregrinos, IMPORTANT TIP: on next day take the Camino de Santiago through Olaberria wich starts on the iron bridge over the highway (it's called "Indarreko zubia" or "puente de Indar"), it's not only the official trail it is also super scenery sightseeing. Don't keep the river trail, you'll find yourself walking by the highway and industry factories at least until Idiazabal. I have red some pilgrims have taken the valley trail maybe with the aim of arriving faster to Zegama, but they are leaving aside not only the official Camino, also a super picturesque trail.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Reading these posts brings back memories of staying at the wonderfully unique albergue in Beasain. I thought I'd landed in Tolkien's Shire. Definitely one of my favourite albergues.

And I received a very warm welcome from the volunteer hospitalero (last June). Since I was the only pilgrim that night he took me out for a few vino tintos at his local footbal club. He was amazingly tolerant of my painful Spanish!

 

[jcat]

I have another question: I'm considering walking the Vasco Interior end of october/beginning november. I guess I should expect to walk it entirely alone? And do you think the weather will be ok?

I was on the Vasco (Irun to Vitoria-Gasteiz) last Nov-Dec and I did not see any other pilgrims. Plenty of local walkers, bike riders, etc and all wished me a good morning in Basque, no "Buen Caminos" for the 6 days. The only part where I felt alone was on the stretch from Zegama to San Adrian tunnel, but the tunnel is great!
I had rain, hail, & wind but the weather was easily manageable with proper rain gear.