Akomendi walks

From the beautiful little Navarran village of Urdax, we set off to conquer Alkuruntz. There are several picnic spots to choose from and the view is magnificent on both the French and Spanish sides.

There are many ways to tackle the Baïgura. The simplest is to set off from the Mendionde leisure centre via the discovery trail. The route is signposted and there is an information board at the start. I suggest doing the full traverse of the massif from south to north, starting from Ossès. For this, you’ll need two cars. In my opinion, the paths are much more varied and rarely used, with many running along ridges offering magnificent views of the mountains and villages of the Basque Country.

Thefirst stage of a challenging hike linking Ainhoa to the Esteben farm at the Col des Veaux, via Mondarrain and Artzamendi. The return route is described in a second stage. As well as the numerous 360° views offered by the various peaks climbed during this hike, you may also come across many birds of prey, horses, sheep and cows roaming freely.

A lovely walk through the heart of the Bastan valley, starting from the Etchebertzekoborda restaurant and passing by the beautifully restored “Moulin de l’Enfer” and the Palacio de Aizkolegi (at the top of the Bertiz estate).

A beautiful stage in the Pyrenean foothills along country lanes.

The forty-sixth stage of the Camino de Santiago. A physically demanding stage, featuring the ascent of the Pyrenees, splendid views of the surrounding Basque Country if the weather permits, free-roaming herds, a sense of being high up, and the excitement of crossing into Spain. After a long, steep descent, you arrive at the Monastery of Roncesvalles. Given the altitude of the finish point and the cool temperatures, I preferred the monastery dormitory to camping. From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a whole new journey begins. The landscapes are no longer the same, nor are the pilgrims. From here on, there are ten times as many people on the paths. Very few French people and lots of Koreans, Australians, Americans, Filipinos and, of course, Spaniards. From here on, you have to speak Spanish or English or use Google Translate. But you always manage to make yourself understood and get by. That’s the magic of the Camino de Santiago.

From the Rhune mini-train station, this hike climbs to the summit at 905 metres. The trail crosses moors, pastures and small woods, offering progressive views of the Basque Coast and the Pyrenees. Along the way, pottoks and mountain birds punctuate the ascent. At the summit, the 360° panorama reveals the ocean on one side and the Pyrenean mountain range on the other, rewarding your efforts with a spectacular natural spectacle.

A ridge route above the town of Bera, taking you from the Col de Lizuniaga, on the French-Spanish border, to Bera. The Haute Route des Pyrénées is not yet very high at this point.

After reaching the summit of La Rhune via the little train (a lovely climb), we head back down towards the village of Sare. A lovely stretch through the woodland, occasionally passing horses roaming freely.