
Stage 3 · Camino del Norte
Zarautz → Deba
About this stage
Zarautz to Deba · 22 km · up 820 m, down 790 m
Another relentlessly hilly coastal stage continuing along the Basque clifftops. The route climbs over a series of headlands with steep ascents and descents, passing through the historic town of Getaria and along dramatic cliff paths with vertigo-inducing views.
Getaria is the birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first person to circumnavigate the globe (completing Magellan's expedition). The town's Gothic church of San Salvador, fish restaurants, and Txakoli wine producers make it worth a stop. The coastal walking between Getaria and Zumaia is among the finest on the entire Norte.
Deba is a modest beach town at the mouth of the Deba River with adequate services including accommodation, restaurants, and shops. The Gothic church of Santa Maria la Real has a notable painted portal.
Terrain: Steep coastal climbs, cliff-edge paths, forest trails, vineyard paths, beach approaches
The day, stop by stop
- 0km
Zarautz
townA lively Basque surf town with the longest beach in the Basque Country, excellent pintxos bars, and a charming old quarter. A popular overnight stop on the coastal stretch.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMBusTrainClinicPost Office
Koala notes · Zarautz
1 noteWorth eating
The pintxos scene here rivals San Sebastian's at lower prices.
- 4.3km
Getaria
villageA tiny Basque fishing village famous as the birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first person to circumnavigate the globe. Known for its grilled turbot (rodaballo) and txakoli white wine.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGrocery
Koala notes · Getaria
1 noteFish and wine
Stop for fresh grilled fish and Txakoli wine.
- Coastal views
The coastal section between Getaria and Zumaia is exceptional.
- 6.5km
- 9.7km
Zumaia
townA Basque coastal town at the mouth of the Urola River, known for its dramatic flysch geological formations along the coastline and the Zuloaga Museum in a former hermitage.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMBusTrainClinicPost Office
- 13.4km
- 18.6km
Itziar
villageA tiny Basque village perched on a hillside between Deba and Markina-Xemein with a sanctuary church and panoramic views. Has a basic albergue.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWater
- Route turns inland
This marks the end of the most dramatic coastal walking section; the route turns inland from here.
- 21.8km
Deba
villageA Basque coastal town at the mouth of the Deba River with a fine Gothic church, a beach, and full services. Marks the start of the more remote coastal stretch towards Markina.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMBusTrainClinicPost Office
Places to stay along this stage
Koala Picks first, then each town in walking order. Where a place does not book online, walk in, call or message them.
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Planning the Camino del Norte?
Add this stage to your day by day plan and see how it fits with the stages around it. Day 0 is the night you arrive in Zarautz. Choosing is never booking.
