GR-289 The steps of the beard

The steps of the beard, 5 stages

Stage 1, Bergara - Arrasate

This stage, which explores the Upper Deba region, begins in Bergara. As soon as we leave the town centre, we climb the hill to the neighbourhood of Goiauzo. From there, we pass by the farmhouses in the Partaitia district of Angiozar and reach the Asentzio chapel in Elgeta. After passing beneath Mount Intxorta, the path takes us from the border between Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa to the Kanpanzar pass. Continuing on, along the slopes of the beautiful Mount Udalaitz, we reach the neighbourhood of Udala, before descending all the way down to the village of... Continuing on, along the foothills of the beautiful Mount Udalaitz, we reach the neighbourhood of Udala, before descending all the way down to the town of Arrasate.

Stage 2, Arrasate - Gatzaga

We leave the town centre of Arrasate behind us, head towards the San Andrés neighbourhood, go under the motorway and follow the slope up to Bedoña. From there, heading downhill and passing through the Larrino neighbourhood, we soon reach the Urkulu reservoir. Next, we will link the Areantza district of Aretxabaleta with Mendiola, and follow the local tracks almost as far as Eskoriatza Street. Finally, after climbing to the top of the hill where the Atxorrotz chapel stands, we will head downhill to the historic town of Leintz-Gatzaga to finish the stage.

Stage 3, Gatzaga - Araotz

We begin this mountainous stage, which will take us into the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, in the village of Leintz-Gatzaga. After passing the Salt Museum, we climb up to the Dorleta sanctuary, but the climb doesn’t end there; to skirt the Makatzagain area, we have to ascend through beech woods. From there we reach the Leizargarate pass and continue on to the Deguria clearing. We pass beneath Mount Andarto and, on reaching Ugastegi, head down to the Araotz district of Oñati to complete the stage.

Stage 4, Araotz - Oñati

From the Araotz neighbourhood in Oñati, we’ll head towards the Jaturabae reservoir along the side of the road and make our way to the entrance of the Arrikrutz cave, from where we’ll follow country lanes to the Arantzazu sanctuary. This is where today’s toughest climb begins, as we won’t get a break until we reach the Biozkornia pass.  From Biozkornia, however, we’ll have to head downhill all the way, first to Katababa and then, following old paths, on to the Murgia district of Oñati. It’s just a short distance to the centre of Oñati, where the stage ends.

Stage 5, Oñati - Bergara

We start in Oñati with a 22.8 km route and continue uphill through the Larraña neighbourhood to the summit of Arranoaitz. From there, gradually descending, we reach Deskarga. Then, taking the path of the old Vascongados railway line, we arrive easily at the Uzarraga district of Antzuola and, following the old railway line, reach the town of Bergara, bringing this stage of the route to an end. Further information: Profile and details in the photo.