Hondarribia-Pasaia-San Sebastian 28 km back by bus

This excellent coastal walk with magnificent views and three interesting towns is highly recommended. The hike takes you across Jaizkibel mountain down to Pasaia Harbor, up across Ulia mountain and down into bustling Donostia/San Sebastian with its great beaches, popular old town, and magnificent pintxos bars. Apart from the way down to Pasaia which is on a narrow path along a precipice with some scrambling and metal ropes to hold on to, the hike is not difficult, and I rated it ‘average’. Large stretches are on the Camino to Santiago. You need to take a pedestrian ferry in Pasaia across the harbor (70 cents in 2019). From San Sebastian there are very good bus connections back to Hondarribia (e.g. E21 line, ~27 minutes, once every hour). You can find plenty to eat and drink in Hondarribia, Pasaia and San Sebastian, but nothing in between. The hike starts at a free parking lot directly south of the old center of Hondarribia.
Hiking times Hondarribia-Guadalupe Church 1h10; Guadelupe Church-Jaizkibel Summit 1h10; Jaizkibel Summit-Pasai Donibane Ferry 2h10; Pasai San Pedro Ferry-Zurriola Beach 2h00; Zurriola Beach-Bus stop Plaza de Gipuzkoa 0h40 (total 6h10 without breaks).

From the starting point you directly walk into the old town of Hondarribia via Puerta de Santa Maria. You walk around the church and then onto Arma Plaza. Via Gipuzkoa Plaza you continue towards Calle/Kalea San Pedro and Santiago. At the end of Kalea Santiago are outdoor elevators taking you to a viewpoint above Hondarribia. You then walk through the outskirts of town to a street (Akartegi Auzoa) taking you up the hill past the cemetery, with views of Hendaye across the Bidasoa River. You continue on minor roads into an area with forests and houses obscuring the views. There is a shortcut on a minor, steep path, and a bit further you take a path to Guadalupe fortress. You walk along the moat and then to the Guadalupe church. You cross the main Jaizkibel road and continue on the camino. The path takes you onto the ridge of the mountain. Shortly after the church there is a very steep section, but it then flattens off, and views open up. The path takes you past a torre (tower), a dolmen and occasional cattle to another torre near Mirador Jaizkibel. The views across the valley here are great. You continue your final climb to the summit of Jaizkibel at 545 meters. Beyond is an area with communication towers surrounded by fences. You walk around the communication towers between such a fence and the precipice, and then continue on the path on the mountain ridge. This section offers less views, but a total of three towers. At the last tower (number 1), you go down to the road, cross it and take another path around Mitxintxola Mendia hill. In this area there is some pasture and I saw a griffon vulture. The path continues on the ridge from Mitxintxola Mendia down to Punta Artxina. This ridge becomes very sharp with precipices on both sides, and occasional scrambling (not difficult unless you have fear of heights). The views towards Pasaia harbor, a natural harbor between two mountain ridges, are great. At the end of the path a steep road brings you down to the water and continues along it to Pasai Donibane. This village with a strong Basque identity is situated beautifully between harbor and Jaizkibel mountain. In the middle of the village is a pedestrian ferry (also for cyclists) taking you across the harbor to Pasai San Pedro for 70 cents. On the square here you can find a water tap. You walk towards the sea along the road taking you past among others a heritage Basque shipyard. At the end of the road is a pier, and steps take you up past the lighthouse onto Ulia mountain. You get to a road, follow this towards another lighthouse, and then take a path along Ulia mountain towards San Sebastian/Donostia. This path also offers great views, but also leads through green coastal forests. Close to San Sebastian you walk out of the forests and views of cliffs and San Sebastian (Igeldo Mountain) open up. A bit further you start your descent into town. At the start of the descent you have a great view of Zurriola beach. Once down into town you walk along the beach to Puente de Zurriola and then into the old town. The old town consists of a grid of narrow roads with high buildings and an occasional square. The old town is full of pintxos bars and it is really worth it to sample some with e.g. a glass of local Txakoli wine (you are almost at the end of your hike!). Your route through the old town takes you past the Basílica de Santa María del Coro and Plaza de la Constitución. You then walk towards the La Concha bay at the Parque de Alderdieder. Here you have a great view of the bay with the great sandy beach. Finally, you walk to Plaza de Gipuzkoa where you can find the bus stop for your ride back to Hondarribia.