Túnel de San Adrián

The Tunnel of San Adrián (Lizarrate in Basque) is more than just a mountain pass; it's one of the most magical, historical, and emblematic milestones on all the Caminos de Santiago. This natural tunnel, carved into the limestone rock of the Aizkorri mountainside, has been an important communication route since prehistory and was the primary entry point to the meseta for European pilgrims during much of the Middle Ages. For the hiker on the Vasco Interior Route, crossing this dark and damp 70-meter tunnel is a breathtaking experience, an authentic rite of passage. Inside, there's the hermitage of San Adrián, which adds a mystical aura to the site. The medieval road leading to the tunnel and traversing it is remarkably well-preserved. The pass marks the border between Gipuzkoa and Álava. Overcoming San Adrián is overcoming the greatest challenge on the route, an immersion in history that connects the pilgrim with the footprints of millions of walkers who came before him.