If you’re keen on trekking or all-terrain biking, or you just like being around nature, the Donostia Circuit (“Donostiako Itzulia” in Basque and “Vuelta a Donostia” in Spanish) is a must-do route for you. It’s a fully marked and signed itinerary (GR287) around Donostia / San Sebastián, offering some spectacular scenery and a healthy way of checking out the city’s lesser known nooks and crannies.
What is the Donostia Circuit?
The Donostia Circuit is a circular 50 km itinerary divided into four stages, for both trekking enthusiasts and mountain bikers (all-terrain bikes and gravel bikes). The route enables you to walk or bike around the city’s outer reaches. You’ll find a mixture of rural and urban surfaces, countryside backdrops with traditional farmhouses, well preserved forest parks, routes along the River Urumea or the harbour ambience of La Herrera’s docks, by way of a contrast to the Ulia cliffs with all their ruggedness still intact.
The white and red signage complies with the standards of approved routes, for easier orientation along the trajectory GPS tracks can also be downloaded here.
The Donostia Circuit's Stages
Stage 1: Town Hall – Añorga Txiki (15 km)
This stage kicks off in the city centre, next to the Town Hall, and goes along the La Concha Sea Promenade and Ondarreta before climbing up Mount Igeldo, with its spectacular panorama of the Cantabrian Sea. It then goes down the bank of the Gorga river, home to the endemic Mediterranean tree frog, and terminates in Añorga Txiki.
This stage kicks off in the city centre, next to the Town Hall, and goes along the La Concha Sea Promenade and Ondarreta before climbing up Mount Igeldo, with its spectacular panorama of the Cantabrian Sea. It then goes down the bank of the Gorga river, home to the endemic Mediterranean tree frog, and terminates in Añorga Txiki.
Stage 2: Añorga Txiki – Polígono 27 (11.3 km)
From Añorga Txiki the route goes up to the Miramón Park, one of the city’s green lungs, taking in the Eureka! Science Museum and moving on to the Oriamendi Peak. It then goes down to the Urumea valley and arrives in Martutene, with some impressive views of the river’s upper basin.
From Añorga Txiki the route goes up to the Miramón Park, one of the city’s green lungs, taking in the Eureka! Science Museum and moving on to the Oriamendi Peak. It then goes down to the Urumea valley and arrives in Martutene, with some impressive views of the river’s upper basin.
Stage 3: Polígono 27 – Miracruz Peak (11.5 km)
Here the route follows the Urumea River up to its mouth, passing through areas rich in both nature and riverscape. It then moves up to the Ametzagaina Park and down towards Molinao and Pasaia bay, ending up at the Miracruz Peak, one of Donostia’s natural entrances.
Here the route follows the Urumea River up to its mouth, passing through areas rich in both nature and riverscape. It then moves up to the Ametzagaina Park and down towards Molinao and Pasaia bay, ending up at the Miracruz Peak, one of Donostia’s natural entrances.
Stage 4: Miracruz Peak – Town Hall (12.5 km)
The last stage goes through San Sebastián’s wildest surroundings, up to Ulia’s highest mark, with some spectacular views of the coastline. The route takes in La Plata Lighthouse and the cliff paths, and then down to Sagües and along Paseo de La Zurriola and Paseo Nuevo, and finally back to the Town Hall.
The last stage goes through San Sebastián’s wildest surroundings, up to Ulia’s highest mark, with some spectacular views of the coastline. The route takes in La Plata Lighthouse and the cliff paths, and then down to Sagües and along Paseo de La Zurriola and Paseo Nuevo, and finally back to the Town Hall.
Who is this route for?
– Trekkers and nature-lovers: The route has been designed for walkers across a range of levels of physical fitness.
– Mountain bikers (all-terrain bikes and gravel bikes): There are variants for bike transit across more demanding terrain.
– Sport enthusiasts and adventurers: Ideal for those seeking vigorous physical activity and new routes in Donostia.
– Families and occasional ramblers: The route can be adapted to a range of needs thanks to its division into stages and its proximity to the city bus network.
– Mountain bikers (all-terrain bikes and gravel bikes): There are variants for bike transit across more demanding terrain.
– Sport enthusiasts and adventurers: Ideal for those seeking vigorous physical activity and new routes in Donostia.
– Families and occasional ramblers: The route can be adapted to a range of needs thanks to its division into stages and its proximity to the city bus network.
© Basque Travel & Basque Country Cycling
Tips and recommendations
– Use proper footwear for trekking or cycling, depending on your activity.
– Take enough water and food with you, especially on the longer stages.
– Check the weather forecast before setting out.
– Download the GPS track to follow the route accurately.
– Respect the surroundings: don’t leave rubbish behind, don’t bother the fauna, and follow the signage instructions.
– Take enough water and food with you, especially on the longer stages.
– Check the weather forecast before setting out.
– Download the GPS track to follow the route accurately.
– Respect the surroundings: don’t leave rubbish behind, don’t bother the fauna, and follow the signage instructions.
Biking options: Gravel bikes and all-terrain bikes
If you decide to take on the route on an all-terrain bike or gravel bike, bear in mind that this is a demanding trajectory, especially if you plan to do it all in one day. The full route has a cumulative altitude difference of 2,195 metres, and so you should be physically fit.
If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can divide the route into more than one day, and use the city’s “bidegorris” (bike paths)to get back to the city centre whenever you need to.
If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can divide the route into more than one day, and use the city’s “bidegorris” (bike paths)to get back to the city centre whenever you need to.
Have fun on the Donostia Circuit
On foot or by bike, the Donostia Circuit is one of the best ways of seeing around San Sebastián’s natural surroundings. Its combination of rural pathways, spectacular scenery and accessibility make it a perfect option for those seeking an active, edifying getaway.
Guide: Vuelta a Donostia – Donostiako Itzulia
Take the Donostia Circuit and check out some unique scenery and the city’s lesser known – but no less important – cultural and historical heritage!
