A view of the Deba River as it flows into the Bay of Biscay will be your last glimpse of the Basque coast until you reach the border of Cantabria. From this point on, the path will reveal the Basque Country’s other face: mountains, forests, light and shadows. While much more demanding, this part of the Basque region is both beautiful and unique. This stretch is characterised by dense pine forests, dirt tracks and a sense of solitude. Here, the path leaves coastal Gipuzkoa and enters rural Bizkaia. The landscape is the same, but the surprises never cease. Markina-Xemein, with its seigniorial buildings, is the prize at the end of today’s stage.