Start: Brinkola Arrival: Arantzazu Monastery Download this stage

Stage 3. Brinkola - Arantzazu (10,70 km) Height difference 762m. 3h 30' The route bears testament to the frenetic activity of the ironworks alongside the upper end of the river Urola. After passing the Barrendiola Reservoir our route climbs the mountainsides on the north side of the Sierra de Aizkorri, and enters the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park.

Once at the top of the Biozkornia the path continues through green pastures that coexist in beautiful harmony with the rocky limestone. The final stage, through a leafy forest, takes us eventually to the Sanctuary at Arantzazu, close to Oñati. The ruins of the Olazar ironworks mark the start of the Brinkola district. We cross it following the line of the GI-3511 main road, and head towards the Barrendiola Reservoir.

We pass by the reservoir water control centre and continue along the road to the dam itself (1.5 km, 25’). We cross over the dam to the opposite shore, continuing along the track that goes back around the reservoir. We take a turning to the right to climb to the top of Frantzikorta, a foothill of mount Arratola (3.3 km, 45 min), where several forest tracks come together. The route continues upward, levelling out as we arrive at the top of Kortazabal (4.4 km, 1 h 10’).

The track passes through a coniferous forest dotted with oaks of several varieties and the odd beech, taking us to the shepherds' huts at Jarondo. The track widens and the beech trees dominate the surroundings. The slope gets steeper and we begin to see the ruins of the Katabera mines. The wood is below us now; the rock and the pastures grapple for the upper hand and a broad panoramic view is possible again. The path continues winding up the slopes of mount Arriurdin, and zigzags to the top of Biozkornia, situated between the peaks of Artzanburu and Arriurdin (6.4 km, 2 h). A nearby signpost marks the way to Arantzazu. Following the line of milestones we pass by a pond, and soon afterwards witness how karst landforms begin to dominate the limestone masses. A fountain beside a small ash grove is a good place to catch your breath, sheltered from the strong winds that are customary on the hilltop. The track continues downward, passing a strange private refuge known as Eskista. The route continues west, until we reach a left fork that enters a wood and takes us to the shepherds' huts at Nazarionea, Alkorta and Zubillaga. We've reached the area of Duru (8 km, 2 h 50’).

There are only a few metres left to go. There's a steep descent along a track that passes through a heterogeneous forest, emerging at the Humilladero del Santo Christ shrine. A little further on we reach the buildings at Goiko Benta, Milikua and the Sanctuary at Arantzazu, the end point of our pilgrimage (10.7 km, 3 h 30’)

Don't get lost on this route