STARTING POINT: BAYONNE (France)
END POINT: BURGOS
DISTANCE: 301 km
A variant that runs along the French coast until it gets to the town of Irún in Gipuzkoa and later, across gorges, mountains and passes, until it reaches the city of Burgos, where it joins the French Way.
The route overlaps the ancient Via Aquitania, a former Roman causeway.
History
The latest historical studies on the Way of Bayonne apparently show that this Way was one of the first Jacobean routes used by pilgrims coming from Europe, being very frequented between the 10th and 13th centuries. This account is based on the existence of documents recording the existence and establishment of hospitals for pilgrims, as well as by the royal orders issued by King Alfonso VI of León regarding this route.
After crossing the tunnel of San Adrián, an impressive natural formation on the border between Guipúzcoa and Álava provinces, while using the old Roman causeway, the route leaves aside the diversion to the Inland Basque Way in Estavillo and continues towards Burgos through Miranda de Ebro, the gorge of Pancorbo, the town of Briviesca and the country of La Bureba.
NOTes for pilgrims
The entire Way is properly signposted with yellow arrows, although their quantity changes depending on the section.
Hostels are well distributed along the route and they have enough capacity too, considering that it is not a very busy route.
In several sections, the route overlaps cycle lanes (called “bidegorri” i.e. “red road” in Basque), which run separately from traffic and are well fitted both for cyclists and pedestrians.