The Way of St. James #50

I left the accommodation in Zarautz shortly after 08:00. As I mentioned yesterday, I was hoping to visit the church there, but once again, it was completely closed. It was raining, and I was able to stop in the shelter of the church overhang to put on my raingear. And then I was on my way out of town. The first stage of today’s walk is a pathway beside the main road, and it is right on the seashore. In a few places, waves would occasionally break to spray the pathway, but for the most part, it was safe enough. There were clumps of seaweed on the pathway, remnants of the storms of a few days ago.

After just a few kilometers of the flat seashore walk, I came to the town of Getaria. The town was the birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano, the man who took over from Ferdinand Magellan after the latter was killed. Elcano thus became the first captain to circumnavigate the globe. On the entry to the town, there is a large monument to Elcano.

After Getaria, the flat walking was over. The path went up into the hills on small roads and tracks to come to the village of Askuzi. Once again, the church was closed, and I could not go in, but kept on my way.

I continued across the hills to Zumaia, where I stopped for refreshments at a small cafeteria. I did not stay long but soon went on my way. I was hoping the church in Zumaia would be open, but again, I was disappointed.

After Zumaia, the trail goes up into the hills again. It continues on roads and tracks for about eight kilometers to reach Itziar.

At least in Itziar, the church was open, and worth visiting. The altarpiece is magnificent, a masterpiece of decoration with biblical scenes. And just outside Itziar is a viewing point, where it is possible to look back over the hills I had crossed, as well as out towards the sea.

And so I arrived into the little town of Deba. I checked in to the pension, and after a wash and shower went about the town to get my dinner. It’s a nice place.