Estíbaliz, Álava – Hilltop Sanctuary on the GR® 38 Route

Open plains, historic pilgrimage routes, and a landmark above the Llanada Alavesa

Estíbaliz stands on a prominent hill along the GR® 38 Wine & Fish Route in Álava, rising above the open farmland of the Llanada Alavesa plains. Visible from a distance, the hilltop sanctuary provides one of the most recognisable landmarks on the interior stages of the route, marking the transition from enclosed valleys to expansive agricultural landscapes.

The Romanesque Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz crowns the hill, reflecting centuries of religious and cultural significance. The site has long served as a point of pilgrimage and gathering, and its elevated position offers wide views across the surrounding plains toward the mountains that frame the Basque interior.

Approaching Estíbaliz, the GR® 38 follows rural tracks and quiet lanes through open farmland, where broad horizons replace the wooded valleys of earlier stages. The climb to the sanctuary is steady but short, rewarded with panoramic views and a strong sense of place within the wider landscape.

The area around Estíbaliz is peaceful and lightly settled. While services are limited at the sanctuary itself, nearby villages and the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz provide accommodation, food, and transport connections.

Beyond Estíbaliz, the route continues across the Llanada Alavesa toward Vitoria-Gasteiz before turning north toward reservoirs, mountain passes, and the greener landscapes that lead toward Bizkaia and the coast.