The inland Basque way: about 203 kilometers from Irún through the green mountains of the Basque Country, over the historic San Adrián tunnel and Vitoria-Gasteiz to the Camino Francés.
The Camino Vasco del Interior is the inland Basque variant of the Camino. Where the Camino del Norte runs along the coast, this route heads from Irún straight across the green mountains of the Basque Country: over Tolosa, through the famous rock tunnel of San Adrián and the capital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, down to La Rioja, where it meets the Camino Francés at Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
It's an old trade and royal road, today a calm, scenically varied pilgrim route far from the big streams – with Basque cuisine, mountain passes and vineyards at the end.
The route follows the historic road over the Túnel de San Adrián, a natural rock passage that was the main link between Castile and the Basque coast from the Middle Ages on.
Ideal if you love the Basque Country, mountains and stillness and want an alternative way onto the Camino Francés. Anyone who appreciates good food and green landscapes will feel at home.
Less suitable if you prefer flat terrain or need dense pilgrim infrastructure: the route is hilly, partly lonely, and the Basque weather is often wet.
From Irún on the border the path leads into the green hills of Gipuzkoa, over Hernani and Tolosa. The highlight is the climb to the Túnel de San Adrián through the Aizkorri mountains.
Then the plateau of the province of Álava opens up, with Vitoria-Gasteiz. Over the Sierra de Cantabria the route drops into La Rioja and the wine country around Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where it joins the Camino Francés.
With nearly 3,500 meters of ascent, the route is distinctly mountainous; the climbs to the San Adrián tunnel and over the Sierra de Cantabria are demanding. Technically it stays straightforward.
Most pilgrims need about 7 to 9 days. Waymarking is solid, but accommodation is sparser than on the Camino Francés – plan stages and beds ahead.
The most striking place on the route is the Túnel de San Adrián: a huge natural rock passage in the Aizkorri mountains, through which the royal road between Castile and the Basque Country ran from the Middle Ages on. Inside stands a small chapel.
Pilgrims, traders, kings and armies passed through here – walking the tunnel, you follow one of the oldest road traces in Spain.
The Camino Vasco del Interior doesn't end in Santiago but at Santo Domingo de la Calzada – where it meets the Camino Francés. From here it's about another 550 kilometers on the Camino Francés to Santiago de Compostela. Many walk the inland Basque way for exactly this reason: as a quiet, green opening before merging into the great stream of the Camino Francés.
The best time is late spring to early autumn; the Basque Country is green because it rains often – good rain gear is essential. Accommodation is in albergues and guesthouses. As on all Spanish routes, you'll need a pilgrim's credential (credencial).
Budget roughly €25–45 per day (the Basque Country is a bit pricier). Albergues usually cost €8–15, plus food; pintxos and set menus can add up.
The starting point is Irún on the French–Spanish border, well connected by train and bus (also from San Sebastián and Hendaye).
Abba Jazz Hotel Vitoria
Open season unknown
Agroturismo Anziola
Open season unknown
Agroturismo Artola
Open season unknown
Agroturismo Ondarre
Open season unknown
Aitzkorri Zegama
Open season unknownEverything you need for the Camino Vasco del Interior, shipped to your door.
Visit Camino Shop
