Discover the mysterious Occabé Cromlechs

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A magnificent and varied hike that allows you to discover the mysterious Occabé cromlechs. After a climb in the shade of a beautiful beech forest, you arrive at the beautiful Occabé plateau with its horses, cows, sheep and famous cromlechs. The view across the plateau is magnificent, especially from the summit of Occabé, which rises to an altitude of 1,456 metres. Descend through the woods and return via a beautiful little path that runs alongside a river to the car park.

Details

n°1320681
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.16 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 540 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 535 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,462 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 991 m
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Photos

A cromlech

Description of the walk

Coming from Lecumberry (D18) or the Iraty chalets (D19), park in the car park on the left-hand side of the road, by the river, about 500 metres before the Chalet Pédro.

(S/E) Follow the road south for 500 metres to the Pédro chalet.

(1) After the stream, leave the road and climb up to the right into the woods, following the red and white markings ofthe GR®10. You will come to a crossroads (1312m).

(2) Continue straight ahead on theGR®10to reach the Occabé plateau.

(3) Leave theGR®10and climb up to the rocks. Continue in the same direction to reach the summit of Occabé (1466m)

(4) Turn back along the same route to reach the Occabé plateau crossroads.

(3) Turn left onto theGR®10and continue to the Cromlechs.

(5) At the Cromlechs, turn back and take theGR®10in the other direction to the junction ofthe GR®10and the PR®.

(2) Leave theGR®10and take the path on the left, which climbs slightly to 1340m. Make a wide turn to the left to continue on the PR®.

(6) At the fork, continue straight ahead on thePR® and descend to the road (1133m). Turn right.
Descend the road for 200 metres until you reach a fork.

(7) Leave the road at this point and find the start of a path on the left. Follow this path, crossing streams, until you reach the road and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,000 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.82 - alt. 991 m - Chalet Pédro
  3. 2 : km 3.23 - alt. 1,319 m - On the left, follow the GR10
  4. 3 : km 4.42 - alt. 1,431 m - Fork in the road
  5. 4 : km 4.85 - alt. 1,462 m - Occabé Summit
  6. 5 : km 6.09 - alt. 1,377 m - Occabé Cromlechs
  7. 6 : km 10.63 - alt. 1,153 m - At the fork, continue straight ahead
  8. 7 : km 11.03 - alt. 1,116 m - Start of the trail
  9. S/E : km 13.16 - alt. 1,001 m - Parking

Notes

This hike is not difficult. The climb is rocky and a little steep. Hiking boots are preferable (but not essential).

The Occabé Cromlechs are stone circles that served as burial sites for important ancestors.

Worth a visit

If it is the season, you will have the opportunity to taste many blueberries during the climb through the woods.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 19 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Emeline et Paco
Emeline et Paco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk: the climb is manageable, the summit is stunning and well signposted, and the descent through the forest is very pleasant with plenty of water sources along the way (no water on the way up). It’s an ideal walk for dogs, who can run free for most of the way before reaching the mountain pastures – I highly recommend it!

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User 14844858

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in the fresh air!
Incidentally, the welcome and cuisine at Chalet Pedro are excellent

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philrandovilaine
philrandovilaine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Circuit completed in reverse, starting from the Eratiko Extola sheepfold, going up the left bank of the stream to the Zurzai pass. We reached the ridge by passing through the forest (unmarked, but easy to follow), with a steep section in the last few hundred metres. Unfortunately, the summit was shrouded in clouds, and we didn't risk descending to the cromlechs. We returned via the GR 10 trail via Chalet Pédro, where a break by the fireplace was most welcome. A beautiful hike, but one to be repeated in clearer weather.

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Jeps40
Jeps40

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The panorama should be beautiful once you reach the top, with no clouds and obviously no shadows on the plateau. The return trip through the woods is very pleasant

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penible
penible

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

planned walk on Ascension Day

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Cailluche
Cailluche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, but beware of fog, as you can suddenly lose sight of the landscape and it can last for quite some time...

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skale65
skale65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 26 February, very varied and enjoyable route, a few people at the start but ultimately not very busy.
We didn't meet anyone on the second part of the route.

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epmen
epmen

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, lots of people at the summit, but the route is less travelled.
The forests along the way and the scenery at the end are a real treat.

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Marina31320
Marina31320

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning views and a return route through a lush, uncrowded forest. We really enjoyed the diversity of landscapes this walk offered us.
We modified the return leg slightly. When we reached the D301, we continued following the "retour iraty" signs and stayed in the forest, but the end point remained the same. We were lucky enough to see a doe and then a stag lying quietly in the bushes.
Thank you for this guide, which was well explained and easy to follow!

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Damien Prieels
Damien Prieels
• Edited:

Thank you

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Romuroc
Romuroc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a beautiful hike through a forest ecosystem of beech trees and alpine meadows. We enjoyed watching the grey cranes migrate back all day long, their characteristic cries providing background noise. A Nordic atmosphere combining the discovery of a historic site with the beautiful beech forest of Iraty. A must-do. Observation of dippers in the river at the start.

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Kokkerbaum
Kokkerbaum

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful, easy and enjoyable hike, a little damp following a very rainy day the day before.
Fortunately, the sun was back and we were able to admire the magnificent panorama over the Ossau-Iraty valleys.

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gsf65
gsf65

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

a lovely walk with varied landscapes.

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estepoet
estepoet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

pleasant hike, with varied landscapes

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Annie S3.
Annie S3.
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's a very beautiful hike. Beautiful views. We couldn't find the path that runs along the river, so we had to come back by the road, which was a shame.

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