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Difficulty-Low
0:40 h.
2.2 km.
Difficulty-Low
0:40 h.
2.2 km.
The biotope between the towns of Zumaia and Deba contains a rich and complex ecosystem in a natural area made up of rugged cliffs and green countryside under the protection of rounded peaks. The Georoute of Elorriaga shows us like no other the marked contrast of the gentle pastures with the verticality of the cliffs, which drop more than 100 metres, taking us to one of the widest balconies of the whole Flysch Route.
The route, with 2.2 km, starts from the car park of the Elorriaga recreational area and returns to it after taking us to see this area of the Gipuzkoan coast. The landscape, green fields of grass next to the silhouette of the interior massifs of Andutz, Sesiarte and Izarraitz, does not make us wait for the spectacular panorama that awaits us a little further on. As soon as we start, we will say goodbye to the GR-121 and the Northern or Coastal Way of Saint James, as it is also known, with which we will share the route on our return. In our quiet approach to the coast we will be able to enjoy the young forest that grows around the path we are walking. A forest formed by a great variety of species such as oaks, cork oaks, cherry trees or ash trees. However, the Elorriaga viewpoint quickly emerges before us, as does the impressive Pikote detachment, which leaves the Aitxuri cove a few tens of metres below our feet.
Before us are the important geological and marine reserves that the cliffs and tidal flats form in this place, a real treasure that houses a rich ecosystem. No doubt we will find it hard to say goodbye to this privileged corner to continue our route by going back into the different landscape of the meadows and mountains that, although it may not seem so, have a great relationship with the one we have just left behind. The route takes us to Elorriaga, where the farmhouses and the cattle are the new protagonists. Here we will meet again with the GR and the Way of Saint James, with which we will share the itinerary until the end. This part of the itinerary allows us to contemplate the mountain ranges of the interior calmly and imagine what the land would have been like when they originated in the Cretaceous period, a little over 100 million years ago. Back to our era, the Elorriaga recreational area and its car park await us once again, where we will put an end to this interesting route.
Those who wish to take a nice walk can reach the Elorriaga recreational area from Zumaia itself by following the course of the GR 121 which runs along the coast and the whole park to Deba. In this case, you should count on the approximately 3.5 km separating the San Telmo hermitage from the recreational area where this route begins, thus increasing the distance by another 7 km.
The access road to the town of Elorriaga is on the N-634 road, on the stretch from Zumaia to Deba. A few kilometres after leaving Zumaia towards Deba, you will come to a turn-off. Once there, all you have to do is follow the same track that took you to Elorriaga and which crosses the town. On the outskirts of the town, when the track seems to have reached its end, another asphalted track begins, which is a little rough, and will take us to the nearby recreational area where we can park our vehicle for the route.
Perfect route to get our dog, and ourselves, used to hiking. A short distance that joins the good condition of the ground, ideal for taking your first steps.
We can't forget the water that we normally take with us, since we won't find any water points along the route and in this area the sun does its job well, especially in summer.
The cattle is a habitual of this zone, although usually they are in the surrounded meadows is not rare to be able to find them by the track that follows the route. To the cattle we must add the pets that without a doubt will be in the recreational area of Elorriaga.
The car park (0h 00min) in the Elorriaga recreational area serves as the starting point for this simple hiking route that brings us closer to one of the most spectacular balconies on the Basque coast.
The hut that houses the toilets in this recreation area serves as a reference for us to find the path along which we must move.
After crossing the barrier that prevents vehicles from passing, we begin a rapid descent that makes us lose height with every step. This comfortable track gradually brings us closer to the coast as it runs along the side of the mountain.
Almost without time to get used to it we arrive at the detour we must follow, saying goodbye for now to the track by which we arrived.
The Elorriaga Viewpoint (0h 10min) awaits us a few metres below to offer us unbeatable views of the cliffs and the coast. Once we have enjoyed this privileged spot, we return on our way to the crossroads where we turn off.
Once there, those who decide to do so can return by the same place they arrived, the rest will resume the course of the track that continues with its smooth descent.
At the moment we came across the path on our right that goes up from the bottom of the cliffs, a path that from the viewpoint we had already been able to contemplate its winding route.
From here, a short but somewhat intense ascent awaits us, which will take us away from the coast. Our route borders Pagoetagaña hill while, for the time being, it continues the course marked by the track we are on.
The path, which winds along the side of the mountain leaving a few trails behind. The landscape makes us forget at times the proximity of the sea, surrounded as we are by green fields and rounded mountains.
The ascent, which is a little easier, takes us to the very doors of Elorriaga (0h 30min), the neighbourhood through which we pass with our vehicle to reach the recreational area from which we set off.
But before we even get to it, a new path emerges on our left that we must continue along.
Again we begin a gentle ascent that takes us quickly to a new fork in which the trail on our right is the route we must follow.
We advance leaving Elorriaga behind, crossed by the fence that delimits the fields we are travelling through.
Soon the recreational area we are heading for appears before our eyes. The trail leads us to it without further ado.
We only have to cross it without further detours to reach the small house of the toilets and then the car park (0h 40min) from which we started and in which we end this route.
Distance. 2.2KmThe route offers different parking options which, in principle, should not make this figure vary much.
Time. 0:40hThe final time will undoubtedly be marked by the time we spend at the lookout point, where minutes can pass without us noticing. If we return by the same route from the lookout point this figure drops considerably.
Time of yearWith good visibility we will be able to enjoy much better the magnificent views offered by both the viewpoint and the route in general. We must also take into account the rapid changes in the weather along the Cantabrian coast.
Required equipmentThe camera and binoculars will be useful to enjoy the panoramic view of the viewpoint. It is interesting that we use a sport or hiking shoes, we can not miss the sunglasses, sunscreen and hat that protect us from the sun especially in summer. In the backpack we should also take some water as we will not find water points during the tour. Consult our list of material and equipment for hiking. Read more.
Difficulty. LowPhysical
The short but steep ramps that the route has in the vicinity of the viewpoint should be all the physical complication that raises us this short route. Be careful with the heat, in summer it tends to press hard and we will not have water along the route.
Severity of the environment
As we are going through a lot of wide tracks and as long as we don't go out of the suggested route, we shouldn't have any bigger complication than some slip caused by the gravel and the inclination of a short section of the track.
Orientation
In general the simplicity of the route does not cause great complications, in addition in the great majority of the crossroads we will find marks and signs that will indicate the way to follow, although they will be the marks of the GR-121 and of the Way of Santiago of the Coast or of the North those that predominate on those of the route that we are making, being able to get confused.
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| 1-Parking | 0:00h | 202m | 0Km | 30T 557890 4793072 |
| 2-Viewpoint of Elorriaga | 0:10h | 156m | 0.6Km | 30T 556251 4794080 |
| 3-Elorriaga | 0:30h | 205m | 1.6Km | 30T 557442 4792903 |
| 4-Parking | 0:40h | 202m | 2.2Km | 30T 557890 4793072 |
Coordinates UTM Datum WGS84
Slope: 150m
Slope +: 75m
Slope -: 75m
Maximum altitude: 215m
Minimum altitude: 156m
This sketch of the route is not made to scale nor does it contain all the information relating to the area, it is merely indicative.
This schematic with the path is approximate and has been created from the derived cartographic base © Instituto Geográfico Nacional "Cuadrante 063-2, 1:25.000"
Senditur has manipulated the tracks to correct the aberrant points that may exist, caused by problems with the reception of the GPS signal. In any case the tracks are always approximate. SENDITUR encourages you to use the new technologies within your reach, using them as support and consultation in your activity, not basing the realization and orientation of the same only and exclusively on them, since they may see their functioning altered by very diverse causes, not functioning correctly and their indications may not be precise.
One of the most important funerary monuments of Euskadi
Sanctuary of the Santos Antonios, one of the oldest and most venerated in Vizcaya
Find out what to see in...
¿Did you know that...
The strip of sea that can be seen from the Elorriaga viewpoint and that extends to the left and right of the lookout point, going into the sea, is home to a rich and important biodiversity of Marian species, leading to this area being declared an integral marine reserve, in order to protect it.
Don't miss out...
The Sanctuary of Santa María de Itziar which you will find in the town of the same name shortly before arriving in Deba from Zumaia. The temple dates back to the 7th century and also has one of the oldest images of the Virgin in all of Guipúzcoa.
From the commitment of SENDITUR with Nature and the respect to the balance of the environment, SENDITUR urges you to travel in a responsible way, with low environmental impact and respecting at all times the Natural, Cultural and Social environment wherever you go.
Besides sharing with all of us your experience on the route we would be grateful if you could write to us to inform us of any erroneous or outdated information you may have found, or simply to let us know what you think at Thank you.
This route has been carried out in the field by SENDITUR on 25-07-2016. The route may vary greatly depending on the time of year, weather conditions and terrain, as well as the actions of third parties and the evolution suffered in the natural environment where it is located. All opinions, advice and/or assessments made by SENDITUR in their descriptions are for guidance only and are subject to and/or refer to the specific conditions of the specific day of the route, referring to that specific day, taken from trained people, with the appropriate experience and with a high level of physical and technical preparation as a reference, as well as correctly equipped.
All the times are approximate and take an orientative character, the stops have not been taken into account, no matter how small they are. All the information related to the route, texts, images, videos, maps, diagrams, tracks, towns, and places of tourist interest are published as a guide, and may not coincide with the current state of each place. Before undertaking any activity, assess your technical knowledge, your physical condition, find out about the weather and the variations that the route may undergo, equip yourself correctly, be prudent and responsible at all times, and do not exceed your capabilities. SENDITUR is not responsible for any misuse or inappropriate use of the comprehensive guides of its routes and/or publications as well as its electronic guides, nor for any variations in their descriptions for the aforementioned reasons, and recommends that everyone be responsible and prudent in carrying out the activity. We also encourage you to read books and specialised guides to complement the information described above.
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