Venta Negra from the Col de Lizuniaga

Starting point: Col du Lizuniaga. To get there, see the ‘Practical Information’ section below.

(S/E) From the car park, walk past a restaurant and take the wide path on the left. At the bend leading off to the left, leave this track and take the path on the right until you reach the RD406.

(1) At the road, cross the stream and take the path on the left which follows the watercourse. You’ll soon feel as though you’re in a different world, hearing nothing but the murmur of the stream and birdsong. This rarely used path can be overgrown with brambles. Continue to the junction with a wide track.

(2) Turn left and you’ll reach the Venta Negra, a small black house with red shutters in the middle of a vast flat area, which has been closed for many years. The R32 boundary marker is located here.

(3) With your back to the venta, take the wide path (^PR®-NA16). Look back from time to time to enjoy a superb view of La Rhune. Continuing along the path, you’ll pass near boundary markers 34 and 35, walk alongside a whole row of pidgeon hunting huts and enjoy a superb view of the mountains. You’ll reach the hamlet of Plazidobaita.

(4) Follow the path leading off to the left, heading towards the restaurant and then the car park (S/E).

Access to the start

From Ciboure, head towards Ascain, drive through the town centre and climb up to the Col de Saint-Ignace.
Head down towards Sare.
At the roundabout in Sare, take the D406 – that is, turn right towards Vera and the Col de Lizuniaga.
At the pass, park in the restaurant car park or, better still, to avoid inconveniencing customers, drive down 50 metres and park on the left-hand side of the road: please note, there are few spaces.

For your information: the journey by car is approximately 21 km.

Avoid this route at all costs during the wood pigeon hunting season.

Be aware of the hunting posts between (3) and (4).