Gaztelugatxe Gallery

The bridge, the switchbacks, the hermitage and the coast either side of it.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe at golden hour, the stone staircase winding up to the hermitage — Late light on the staircase, from the coast path above the headland.

The stone bridge and the folded rock strata below San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — The bridge, where the 241 steps begin.

The zig-zag stone staircase climbing San Juan de Gaztelugatxe with walkers on the steps — The switchbacks, seen from the mainland path.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in full sun with the sea arch cut through the cliff on the right — The whole islet from the ridge, with the sea arch on the right.

Aerial view of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe surrounded by deep blue water — Deep water on every side of the headland.

Visitors on the walkway at the foot of the staircase to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — The walkway at the foot of the climb, where groups gather.

The stone hermitage at the summit of Gaztelugatxe with its bell-gable and rose window — The hermitage of St John the Baptist, and the bell to ring three times.

Ceramic tile at the hermitage reading San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Laguntza — The tiled plaque at the summit. Laguntza is Basque for help.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe from the coast path with the Aketx sea stack beyond — The view along the coast, with a sea stack standing offshore.

The approach path and causeway to Gaztelugatxe seen from above on an overcast day — The approach path from above, on a grey morning.

Wide view of the Bizkaia coastline with the causeway to Gaztelugatxe in the foreground — The coastline running east towards Bermeo.

Timber gateway on the path signed Gaztelugatxe at the start of the walk — The gateway at the top of the path, where the walk down begins.

Wooden waymarker signing Gaztelugatxe Done Joane at 1.1 km and 25 minutes — The waymarker: Done Joane at 1.1 km and 25 minutes.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe under a bright sky with the staircase visible along the ridge — The classic view, and the reason the ridge is busy at noon.

Want the shot yourself? The first slot of the morning is when the bridge is quiet and the light runs across the rock rather than down onto it. The access and climb page explains how the timed permit works, and the Dragonstone page covers the angles the cameras used. Gaztelugatxe Tours lists the trips that reach the hermitage, and Gaztelugatxe guided tours are the ones that arrive early.