Ignatius Way

The Ignatius Way crosses five autonomous communities and is divided into 27 stages. The classical division is as follows:

Basque Country

Six stages lead through the Basque Country over 126 km, marked with GR120. The start of the pilgrimage is a unique experience. The steepest part of the entire pilgrimage leads through the provinces of Gipuzkoa and Araba. Along the way, you get to know the districts of Urola Garaia, Urola Erdia, Debagoiena, Llanada, Alavesa, Montaña Alavesa, and Rioja Alavesa. A small part of the route also passes through Navarre territory. Green mountains are characteristic of the stages in the Basque Country. The Loyola sanctuary, the pilgrimage chapel La Antigua, and the sanctuary of Arantzazu form the “Route of the Three Temples”.

1st stage: Loyola – Zumarraga

2nd stage: Zumarraga – Arantzazu

3rd stage: Arantzazu – Araia

4th stage: Araia – Alda

5th stage: Alda – Genevilla

6th stage: Genevilla – Laguardia

La Rioja

The section through the La Rioja region is full of history. You pass through the towns of Navarrete, Logroño, Alcanadre, Calahorra, and Alfaro, experience Riojan hospitality, and can enjoy the unique tourist offerings of the province with short detours from the path. The five stages are marked with orange arrows, and here the route coincides with the Way of St. James walked in the opposite direction.

7th stage: Laguardia – Navarrete

8th stage: Navarrete – Logroño

9th stage: Logroño – Alcanadre

10th stage: Alcanadre – Calahorra

11th stage: Calahorra – Alfaro

Navarre

High mountains, plains near the Ebro, and vegetable gardens – the landscapes in Navarre rank among the most beautiful on the Iberian Peninsula. In Ignatian tradition, the region holds special importance as the home of Saint Francis Xavier, a companion of Ignatius. The two stages here are again marked with orange arrows.

12th stage: Alfaro – Tudela

13th stage: Tudela – Gallur

Aragon

The course of the Ebro River connects Aragon to the Mediterranean and forms the communication channel between millennia-old cultures. Travelers have always played a major role in the history of the Ebro regions. Traces of Islam can be seen in numerous examples of the wonderful Mudéjar architecture, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The marking of the Ignatius Way continues in Aragon with the orange arrows.

14th stage: Gallur – Alagón

15th stage: Alagón – Zaragoza

16th stage: Zaragoza – Fuentes de Ebro

17th stage: Fuentes de Ebro – Venta de Santa Lucía

18th stage: Venta de Santa Lucía – Bujaraloz

19th stage: Bujaraloz – Candasnos

20th stage: Candasnos – Fraga

Catalonia

The last stages and about 183 km lead through the tourist regions Terres de Lleida and Paisatges Barcelona as well as the districts Segrià, Pla d'Urgell, Urgell, Segarra, Anoia, and Bages. Along the way, there is the opportunity for a spiritual, introspective journey and to discover the nature reserves, villages, and towns along the path. In addition to the orange arrows, the stages in Catalonia are marked with the sun symbol.

21st stage: Fraga – Lleida

22nd stage: Lleida – Palau d'Anglesola

23rd stage: Palau d'Anglesola – Verdú

24th stage: Verdú – Cervera

25th stage: Cervera – Igualada

26th stage: Igualada – Montserrat

27th stage: Montserrat – Manresa