The Sakana Way
An ancient pilgrimage route traversing mountains, heritage sites, and stunning landscapes.
The road winds its way beneath the gaze of the mountain ranges
Between the Aralar mountain range and the Urbasa mountains, the Sakana Way winds through a valley of meadows, oak and beech forests, and small villages where the landscape and history are part of everyday life. Within this setting lie the traces of the ancient Iter XXXIV, the Roman road that linked Bordeaux and Astorga and which, centuries later, became one of the first pilgrimage routes to Santiago. Today, its paths invite you to discover a region with a leisurely pace, Romanesque heritage and rural traditions that remain very much alive.
Why walk the Sakana Way?
Walking the Camino de Sakana means experiencing one of the oldest pilgrimage routes to Santiago in Navarre whilst discovering a valley where nature and rural life continue to play a central role. Far from the busier routes, the itinerary winds its way through villages, pastures and mountains, largely following the ancient route of the Roman road from Bordeaux to Astorga.
Between the 9th and 11th centuries, this route played a prominent role as a pilgrimage route to Santiago, until the reorganisation of the routes promoted by Sancho the Great favoured the route through the Central Region and the current French Way.
The route takes you to some of the area’s main historical sites, such as the Romanesque monastery of Zamartze – a former pilgrims’ hospital where scallop shells are still preserved – and the chapel of Santiago de Itxasperri. It also offers a glimpse of the landscape and the livestock farming traditions of Sakana: communal pastures, the Latxa sheep and the production of Idiazábal PDO cheese are all part of the valley’s identity. The local cuisine rounds off the experience with products so closely associated with Navarre as chistorra and natural cider.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sakana Way follows the route of the Roman road Iter XXXIV, built in the 1st century to link Bordeaux and Astorga. Between the 9th and 11th centuries, this road was used as one of the main pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela in Navarre. Subsequently, the diversion of pilgrimage routes towards the Central Region, promoted during the reign of Sancho the Great, meant it lost its prominence. Today, the route has been revived as the ‘Forgotten Way’ or the ‘Asturias Way’.
The Navarrese section of the Sakana Way is approximately 45–46 kilometres long and links Irurtzun with Ziordia, from where the route continues towards Álava.
The route can be completed in two or three stages, depending on each walker’s pace and experience. Splitting it into three days allows you to cover around 15 kilometres a day and enjoy the villages, the landscape and the valley’s places of interest at a more leisurely pace.
It is a route of low difficulty, both physically and technically. The route mainly passes through the Sakana nature corridor, with generally gentle terrain, making it a good option for those new to the Camino de Santiago.
Yes. The nature of the terrain makes it a suitable route for cycle touring, even with panniers. Furthermore, the EuroVelo 1 cycle route passes through this area; it runs along Europe’s Atlantic coast and enters the Iberian Peninsula via Navarre.
Key points of interest include the monastery of Zamartze, in Uharte Arakil; the chapel of Santiago de Itxasperri, in Egiarreta; and the chapel of San Pedro, in Altsasu/Alsasua. Also well worth a visit is the Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar, situated at an altitude of 1,241 metres and known, amongst other things, for its 12th-century enamelled façade.
