From Gipuzkoa the Eurovelo 1 route enters Navarra via the Bidasoa Greenway. This first stage consists of 28 kilometres. From Endarlatsa via Bera to Santesteban/Doneztebe, this disused railway line section crosses magnificent landscapes of green meadows dotted with country houses, picturesque tunnels, traditional villages, and even the odd forgotten bunker. The profile of this easy and pleasant route is practically flat.
The arrival at Bera, encased between the river and the steep slopes of the Pyrenees, is spectacular. The most noteworthy aspect of this town is its well-kept old quarter, where the writer Caro Baroja lived. Next to the Greenway you can find another of the Five Towns, Lesaka. In the future it will be connected through a bike lane with its old quarter. Its town centre reflects the passage of history and its houses retain their traditional architecture. Gothic doors and windows adorn the façades which look onto the cobbled streets of the town, among which those of the Torre Palacio Zabaleta and the Church of San Martín de Tours stand out.
The route continues to Sunbilla; before it arrives there it crosses 3 tunnels surrounded by dense woodland. This pretty village is also known for its culinary specialities: cream cakes (Kote Corta) and bread baked below ground in the manner of the old American shepherds.
The route runs alongside the River Bidasoa through a leafy grove as far as Doneztebe-Santesteban, which is the end of this stage. This town has had strong links with commerce ever since its medieval origins. Nevertheless, its most emblematic buildings date from the 17th century. From here you can recharge your batteries by taking a dip at the Elgorriaga Spa (2 kilometres away) or taking a walk among the exotic and varied vegetation of the Bertiz Nature Reserve (4.5 kilometres away).
Comments: Section 1