Usually, when we think about breathtaking landscapes, we tend to consider faraway places. Nevertheless, we can enjoy wonderful places closer than we actually think. In our case, we feel lucky for belonging to this beautiful northern land, the Basque Country.
When we are asked about one amazing place to visit here, we always have doubts… It´s so difficult to pick just one! But we have to confess that San Juan de Gaztelugatxe comes to our minds every time. Besides, this can be one of the best places to eat surrounded by nature.
It is said that Juan de Gaztelugatxe (“castle in the rock”) that was a monastery, then a fortress stormed by pirates and finally, a hermitage, the appearance that shows currently. That imposing silhouette, that rock, is the most photographed sites around the area. On the other hand, it´s true that it´s unavoidably becoming a well-known tourist spot but if you choose the correct time to visit it, it will welcome you with arms wide open, as if you were the only soul on earth.
Our walk begins in the car park of this natural and architectonic sight halfway between Bermeo and Bakio, where we have arrived by car. There is another access (first gravel, then soil path) next to the superb Eneperi restaurant where you can park and start your walk. But we choose the asphalt road because it´s less busy. It´s 8:15 a.m, still dark, and the temperature is unusually mild. Against all odds, it´s been a warn winter so we´ve decided to make the most of it.
We descend for over 20 minutes until we reach the base of the rock. In our way down, we enjoy the views almost at every step we take: the colors of the winter, the different silhouettes of the site… When we finish going down, we start climbing the stairs. Although traditionally, it has been said that there are as many as days in the year, 365, the truth is that nowadays it is said to be 241, which is no small thing. It is quite tough at times but – oh god – it is worth more than enough.