Way of Baztan
The Baztán Way connects Bayonne (France) with Pamplona through the picturesque Navarre valley of Baztán. A beautiful Pyrenean alternative to join the French Way.
Organize your Way of BaztanGeneral Description of Way of Baztan
It is known for its green landscapes, traditional farmhouses, and rich Navarran culture. It offers a shorter and less crowded alternative to enter Spain, ideal for those seeking a different Pirencean experience and closer contact with nature.
Connections of Way of Baztan
Route of Arles
Distance:
790.6 km
Days:
33
Difficulty:
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The Way of Arles, or the Via Tolosana, is one of the four major historical routes that cross France. Part of Arles in Provence and heading west through southern France (Languedoc). Crossing Spain at the Somport port, where it becomes the Aragonese Way, which converges with the French Way in Puente la Reina.
Its route in France is approximately 800 km. It is a richly endowed Roman and medieval heritage route that passes through cities such as Montpellier, Toulouse and Oloron-Sainte-Marie.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: Arles to Saint-Gilles (Gard)
Stage 2: Saint-Gilles (Gard) to Gallargues-le-Montueux
Stage 3: Gallargues-le-Montueux to Vendargues
Stage 4: Vendargues near Montpellier
Stage 5: Montpellier to Montarnaud
The French Way
Distance:
779 km
Days:
33
Difficulty:
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The Camino Francés is the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela of excellence, chosen by thousands of pilgrims every year. With a journey of approximately 780 km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or less from Roncesvalles, it traverses northern Spain. This path, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, offers exceptional infrastructure for services and hostels.
Pilgrims traverse Navarra, La Rioja, Castile and León, and finally Galicia, marveling at monumental cities such as Pamplona, Burgos, and León, and charming villages. The diversity of its landscapes is one of its greatest attractions, from the Pyrenees and the Castilian plains to the green forests of Galicia. It's a physical and spiritual journey that leaves an indelible mark, ideal for both experienced pilgrims and those starting out on the Camino de Santiago.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles
Stage 2: Roncesvalles to Zubiri
Stage 3: Zubiri is going to Pamplona.
Stage 4: Pamplona to Pontevedra
Stage 5: Bridge of Queen to Estella
Bayonne Way
Distance:
286.2 km
Days:
12
Difficulty:
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The Via de Bayona is a historical itinerary that connects the city of Bayonne, in French Basque Country, to Burgos, where it links with the Way of St. Francis. With a distance of approximately 286 km, this route was an important alternative interior for medieval pilgrims. It passes through the French Basque Country and part of La Rioja, passing by cities such as Vitoria-Gasteiz and Miranda de Ebro.
It offers a rich experience in history and culture, traversing varied landscapes. Although it sometimes overlaps or gets confused with the Vasco Interior Way, the Via de Bayona has its own identity as a connection route from France to the heart of the Way of St. Francis.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: Byron to Durham
Stage 2: Run to Hernani
Stage 3: Hernani to Toulouse
Stage 4: Toledo to Vitoria-Gasteiz
Stage 5: Beausoleil a Zegama
The Camino of Biscay by Bike
Distance:
109.4 km
Days:
2
Difficulty:
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The Baztan Route by bike is a Pyrenean alternative to the classic start of the French Way. In 2 stages, this 109 km route offers a lower and more accessible passage through the lush Baztan Valley in Navarre. The route is filled with farmhouses, green meadows and forests, ideal for those seeking a more tranquil experience and contact with local culture. The terrain is undulating and requires a good bike, but the beauty of the landscape compensates for the effort before meeting up with the French Way.
Stages of this variant:
Stage 1: Bayonne to Elizabethon (Bicycle)
Stage 2: Elizondo to Pamplona (Bicycle)
Elevation Profile of Way of Baztan
Visualize the ups and downs of the route.
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Stages of Way of Baztan
Etapa 1: Bayona to Souraïde
Description:
This stage is the sum of the mythical Route of the Hospitals, one of the most difficult and beautiful of the Primitive Way. It's a long traverse through high mountain, without services, that demands e...
Etapa 2: Souraïde to Amaiur/Maya
Description:
This is a short and gentle stage that serves as an alternative to mountainous days. The route runs through a terrain of soft undulations, through a landscape of meadows and forests. It's a walk with n...
Origen: Souraïde
Destino: Amaiur/Maya
Etapa 3: Amaiur/Maya to Berroeta
Description:
This stage continues in the west of Asturias, on a terrain of medium mountain. The profile is a continuous rise and fall, with the ascent to Alto de Lavadoira as the main difficulty. The landscape is ...
Origen: Amaiur/Maya
Destino: Berroeta
Etapa 4: Berroeta to Olagüe
Description:
The last stage of the Camino Sanabrés is a short but emotionally charged journey. The route is a gentle stroll that descends into the valley of the Ulla River before tackling the final uphill climb on...
Featured Towns of Way of Baztan
Explore the key towns and cities of this route.
Bayona
Beautiful French Basque capital and crossroads of Jacobean routes. Bayonne is the starting point of the Via Bayonnaise and the Baztan Way, a charming route's beginning.
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Souraïde
Charming French Basque town. Souraïde, with its rural surroundings and mountain views, offers a peaceful and picturesque stop on the Jacobean routes of the region.
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Amaiur/Maya
Navarrone street with a deep historical significance. Amaiur/Maya was the last stronghold of resistance in the Kingdom of Navarre, a place of memory and beauty on the Baztan Route.
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Berroeta
Berroeta is a Navarran locality at the heart of the Baztan Valley. It offers a beautiful rural landscape and traditional Basque farm architecture on the Baztan Route.
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Olagüe
Capital of the Anué Valley and one of the last stops on the Camino de Baztán. Olagüe is a key service center for pilgrims before arriving in Pamplona.
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Pamplona
First major city on the French Way in Spain. Pamplona, famous for the Sanfermines, offers pilgrims a vibrant old town, Renaissance walls and exquisite gastronomy of pinchos.
More InformationMillenary History of the Camino de Santiago: Origins and Evolution Way of Baztan
Discover the origins and evolution of Way of Baztan
Although the route through Roncesvalles became the main entry point for the Camino Francés, the Baztán Route had great importance in the first centuries of pilgrimage. Its main advantage was its altitude. While Roncesvalles requires overcoming almost 1,500 meters, the Baztán Way crosses the Pyrenean divide at much lower ports, such as Otsondo (around 600 meters) and Belate (around 850 meters). This difference was crucial in winter, when snow could block Roncesvalles for weeks, making the Baztán the only viable alternative for pilgrims coming from the Aquitaine region.
The traditional starting point is the medieval city of Bayonne, an important port and commercial center. From there, the route heads south and enters Navarre through the Dantxarinea neighborhood. Immediately, the pilgrim immerses themselves in the unique landscape of the Baztán Valley, the largest municipality in Navarre, known for its green meadows, oak and beech forests, and traditional stone-built houses with two-water roofs. A fundamental milestone on the early stages is the Monastery of San Salvador de Urdax. Founded in the 9th century by the premonstratensian order, it was an important center of power and hospitality, offering refuge and assistance to pilgrims who had just crossed the border.
The route traverses the valley passing through its main towns, such as Elizondo, the capital, until facing the last major obstacle: the Belate Pass. The importance of this passage in the Middle Ages is demonstrated by the foundation, in the 12th century, of a large pilgrim hospital at its summit, under the protection of Navarre's kings and managed by the Canons of Velate. Although only ruins remain today, their existence confirms the constant flow of walkers.
Once descended from the pass, the landscape changes and the route enters the drier valleys of Pamplona's basin. It passes through towns like Lantz, famous for its rural carnivals, and finally arrives at the Pamplona comarca, where it joins the Great Navarran Camino Francés (the one coming from Roncesvalles) in the localities of Arre or Villava, on the outskirts of the capital. At this point, pilgrims who have enjoyed the solitude and beauty of the Baztán merge with the bustling stream of walkers of the Camino Francés.
Restored and well-marked in recent years, the Baztán Way offers today an exceptional Jacobean experience. It is a shorter and less crowded route, ideal for those seeking to immerse themselves deeply in the culture and nature of the Basque Country and Navarre, following the footsteps of medieval pilgrims who chose the green gate to enter Spain.