Pasaia Donibane

de fr

A lovely circular route around the southern tip of Jaizkibel above Pasaia. The start of the route takes you through the town of Pasaia along narrow, charming alleyways. The route then follows a steep path and returns to the village via a small road.

Details

n°14981914
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.87 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 909 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 912 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 837 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -3 ft
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Photos

Jagged rocks
Path between the rocks
First difficulties
Arrival at the summit

Description of the walk

Drive to Pasaia and park in the public car parks.

(S/E) Walk down into the old town, passing Victor Hugo’s house, then follow the quay to the cove where the Kalaburtza stream flows into the sea.

(1) Turn right onto the road heading east.

(2) Ignore the road that continues eastwards along the stream and take the tarmac road on the left that climbs up to the lighthouse.
The path turns eastwards and isn’t very wide, but the exposed sections are secured by handrails.
Ignore a path branching off to the left and continue to the end of the wooded area, where there is a lovely view of the coast.

(3) Take the path that descends to the right towards the south-east to join the Way of St James (Camino del Norte).

(4) Turn right onto the Way of St James. Keep left at the next two junctions.

(5) Turn right towards the west, continuing to follow the Camino del Norte.

(6) Leave the Camino, which branches off to the right, and carry on to the left, heading south-east along a hillside path that runs alongside the village.

(7) Turn right to return to the village of Pasaia and reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 16 ft - Car park at Pasaia
  2. 1 : mi 0.95 - alt. 52 ft - Along the Kalaburtza stream
  3. 2 : mi 1.01 - alt. 121 ft - Turn left
  4. 3 : mi 2.12 - alt. 830 ft - Turn right after the woodland area
  5. 4 : mi 2.37 - alt. 715 ft - Way of St James
  6. 5 : mi 3.08 - alt. 407 ft - Turn right at the fork
  7. 6 : mi 3.4 - alt. 82 ft - Leave the Camino here, turning left
  8. 7 : mi 3.59 - alt. 79 ft - Return to the village
  9. S/E : mi 3.87 - alt. 13 ft - Car park in Pasaia

Notes

Please note: after the lighthouse, some sections – whilst not actually dangerous – may cause discomfort for those prone to vertigo. This is why the route has been rated as moderate.

Outside the village, there are no water points.

During the summer season, parking can be difficult and you will need to extend the route if you park further away from the village centre.

Worth a visit

Most of the restaurants in the village offer a beautiful view of the Pasaia Strait and the boats entering and leaving the port of San Sebastián.

You can take a shuttle bus which runs a return service to visit theAlbaola museum and shipyard, where the San Juan is being rebuilt.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 21246778

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk in cloudy weather, which sheltered us from the summer sun. We finished the route not by following the road higher up, but by heading back into the village of Pasaia and retracing our steps: it’s such a picturesque spot and it would have been a shame to miss out on a quick drink in the village square!
The climb on the way up is steep and, quite rightly, not recommended for those who are afraid of heights. The weather was dry, but I think it would have been considerably more difficult on wet and slippery ground.
We climbed up to Mount Mitxitxola for a break at the top (322m) before heading back down – an easy little detour for a magnificent view.
Well done for suggesting this lovely, short walk.

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User 11618329

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Stunning views of the estuary and the ocean. And make the most of the village of Pasaia for a bite to eat on the way back.
The climb is a bit tricky; you’ll need to use your hands at times. Not to be attempted in slippery conditions.

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Totolitoto40
Totolitoto40

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views; picnic at point three facing the sea and under the trees before starting the descent, perfect. The absence of handrails and vertigo are not too much of a problem, you just have to turn your back to the ravine while leaning on the wall (there are plenty of handholds) and you'll be fine. However, the path after the lighthouse is quite physically demanding, and it would be good to have a point 2bis on the map (two-thirds of the way along the section, I think) to indicate the end of the difficult part (the path remains narrow but is no longer "aerial"). There were three couples wondering whether to turn back or continue! Another tip (always applicable when hiking): start as early as possible. Although we left early (1 hour 45 minute journey), we lost time due to an accident on the motorway and dawdling in the narrow streets at the start, and found ourselves against the rock face, with our backs to the sun, around midday when the temperature was already approaching 28/30 degrees! This adds a lot of difficulty to the route.

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User 21475027

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. Starting from a small, typical port village, there is a nice climb with a good elevation gain, magnificent views of the ocean and mountains, a small path through the rocks of the mountain that gave us a few thrills, and a return to the starting village in the cool shade of the trees. For us, it was a very beautiful hike that took 3 hours with a few photo breaks.

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TISSOTY
TISSOTY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short but very beautiful walk to discover this locality, which deserves its popularity. This route, which offers magnificent views over the pass and the ocean, should be undertaken by experienced walkers (narrow, airy path).

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Franck64200
Franck64200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Family walk before eating at the restaurant in the Place de Pasaia.
3 youngsters with parents and 78-year-old grandparents (in good health) plus a French bulldog.
Magnificent walk through the village, extraordinary views and unusual rocks on the way up after the lighthouse to the pine forest at the top. Incredible views over the ridge!
The return is less pleasant but quick.
I'd definitely recommend it!

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Rena
Rena

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice route

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balade montagne
balade montagne

Hello,
You're right, I've discovered that I'm afraid of heights!

I did it 10 years ago, and I remembered that there were handrails.
It's a shame they were removed,
It's a beautiful walk

Best regards

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Hervé Bignon
Hervé Bignon

Hello,

In the description of the walk, it is clearly explained that :
Be careful, after the lighthouse, some passages, although not really dangerous, may be uncomfortable for people prone to vertigo. This is the reason for the moderate difficulty.

As you now know, you are prone to vertigo.

I don't quite see why you should rate the route as difficult to follow and of little interest.
In the end, your disappointment only concerns your own ability in the mountains and should not therefore be directed against this route, which is advertised as unsuitable for those who fear heights.

No hard feelings

Hervé

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balade montagne
balade montagne
• Edited:

Overall rating : 1 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : Yes

Not disappointing, but hard, especially the passage between 2 and 3, very, very narrow, with no handholds to hold on to
I had to turn back, forcing my friends to do the same. It's a shame, because it promised to be a great walk.

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lucio64
lucio64

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk. As soon as the fine weather arrives, parking becomes difficult in the village. Arriving early or on two wheels can help. In the details, at point 2, it is indicated that there are handrails on the overhead passages. This is no longer the case, but if you take it easy you'll get over it without any problems.

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LSG1955
LSG1955

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, beautiful views

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Moreninha
Moreninha

Thank you very much Hervé for your quick reply and your advice, it's lovely!
See you soon : )

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Hervé Bignon
Hervé Bignon

The Jack Russell is a robust dog, but not an acrobat.

This route is not at all recommended, as you will have to carry your dog all the way up a steep path.

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Moreninha
Moreninha

Hello,

Thank you for suggesting this hike,
Do you think it's feasible with a small Jack Russell dog that's not particularly used to hikes?

Thank you very much and have a nice day : )

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