Camino del Norte: Stage 5

You will leave Markina to get to the BI-633, through the Avenida Erdotza avenue, after having crossed the Artibai river. You will get to the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Erdotza hermitage and then you will leave the road to go to the left. The way will lead you to the riverside, and you will walk next to it to get to Kareaga bridge, after crossing this bridge you will have to turn left and walk through a path towards Irtuzubieta. Once you get to this village you can have breakfast in any of its cafeterias, the yellow arrows will lead you to the road, to the BI-2224 and then you will leave it at a restaurant. You will walk now among fields, farmhouses small neighborhoods such as Altzaga and Arta, this last one belongs to Ziorta Bolivar. You will have to leave the path among pine trees to get to the asphalted road that is famous because Símon Bolívar’s grandfather was born here, his name was Bolívar “el Viejo”. The way goes through the town hall and also see a museum devoted to him. Moreover, you can visit the Iglesia de Santo Tomás church, from the 10 century. Two kilometers from the old city you will find a medieval road that will lead you to the Colegiata de Cenarruza collegiate church that belongs to Orden de la Estrecha Observancia. Places strategically in the Saint James Way, it was very important centuries ago, specially with the increasing of pilgrimages to Santiago during the 14th Century. This architectural complex was declared of Cultural Interest. It is formed by a temple with one of the oldest organs of the province. Besides, it is known by its Renaissance cloister and its gates, oriented towards East and West. It is worth it to stop and visit this place to admire all its beauty and read the inscription that tells about the story of that place.

You will continue through the forest to get to Alto de Gontzagarinaga. Once you get here you will leave the road to go to the left towards a neighborhood called Uriona where you will find the Leona river. After this part you will return to the road that will lead you to Gerrikaitz, where you will see the Iglesia de Santa MAría church; then you will have to cross the Lea river to get to Munitibar, a small village where you can rest for a while and also buy some food or water. The you will have to get to Aldaka and to see the Ermita de Santiago hermitage, a key point in the way’s history because lots of pilgrims used to rest here. Then you will continue through an asphalted road and you will have to turn right and then to the left. Once you get to a farmhouse you will have to go to the right to go through a path to the right near the Golako river, then you will cross it in Berriondo. Then you will return to the road and you will get to Zarra, that belongs to Olabe. A little bit after you will see an arrow that will indicate you where the hostel is located. If you want to continue you will have to turn right and leave the asphalt and going through the Ermitas de San Pedro and San Cristóbal hermitages. If you continue through the original way you won’t see the Torre de Montalbán tower, but you will find a path that will lead you there if you want to visit it. This building, specifically made for defense, is placed in a privileged position at the top of the mount so the rest of land could be controlled from there. Currently, it is quite abandoned however. Then you will have to cross a bridge over the Gola river Then you will get to a neighborhood called Elexalde and also to a church devoted to Santo Tomás. You will also go through Marmiz, you will get to the Monte Burgonaga mount. Before getting to Gernika you will have to go through Ajangiz where you can visit its church. It is remarkable due to Asunción church, with a neoclassical style and a basilica style. We are near our goal: we will reach the end through the road. Then you will have to walk through some streets to get to the hostel, the end of today’s stage. We cannot leave Guernika without visiting Saint Mary’s church, one of the best examples ofthe Basque gothic style,and its famous oak, placed in Juntas House and symbolizing the Biscay freedom.

Bear in mind

Cyclists should go through the road from Berriondo and do not turn away once they get to the restaurant as the other pilgrims should do. As in the previous stage, it is common to find mud in those areas next to the river, depending on the time of the year. We always recommend to wear waterproof footwear to avoid complications.