Arancou walks

On a sunny plateau overlooking the Bidouze river, Arancou is a village with white walls and a remarkable architectural and human heritage. A historic stop on one of the hiking trails to Santiago de Compostela, the Via Turonensis, Arancou built its reputation around a hospital-priory that welcomed pilgrims from the 13thcentury onwards. There are also a few mansions, once dedicated to hospitality, whose architectural details can still be appreciated. In the village, the Church of Notre-Dame is also worth a visit for its style, which combines a long Romanesque plan with Gothic vaults and capitals. Along the trails, the surrounding hills promise fresh air in the forest, where you can see beautiful hundred-year-old oak trees, while the Bidouze valley offers peace and quiet and cool riverbanks.

A family walk on the hill overlooking the Gave d’Oloron valley, a land where legends and superstitions converge. View of a fine example of Eiffel architecture spanning the Gave.

A short discovery route in the Bois de Mixe designed for children. A pleasant 3.5 km route, featuring rope bridges and giant’s steps (square stone blocks), which winds its way along the river. Simply follow the signs explaining life in the forest. An easy walk for the whole family, suitable for children aged 4 years old.

Belle boucle en forêt dans le Bois de Mixe. Balade facile en famille.

Hastingues, an English fortified town built in the 14th century. Permanent exhibition on the routes to Santiago de Compostela. 12th-century Arthous Abbey, museum showcasing the heritage of the Pays d'Orthe. Data: Landes department - Pays d'Orthe and Pouillon - Hastingues Heritage Route 5.4.

A short walk starting from the water tower on the Butte de Miremont which, as its name suggests, offers views of the surrounding mountains, with four orientation tables accessed via an external spiral staircase. This route is published by the Basque Country Tourist Office under the name Urgorri. It is reproduced here for use with Visorando.

A round trip on the south bank of the Bidouze from Guiche.

A beautiful ridge walk with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks.

Published by the Landes Departmental Tourism Committee, this route is reproduced here for use with Visorando.

A lovely walk that takes you up into the Arbéroue Valley.

A very pleasant short walk in the Béarn des Gaves, through woods, fields and villages. Beautiful views of the Pyrenees.

Walk around Mount Abarratia and its archaeological site with defensive lines in the massif.

To be honest, this route does take you along a few tarmac roads, but they are very quiet. An easy route accessible to all in the hills above Ayherre and Labastide Clairence.

Forty-fifth stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage is the last of the French section. The ever-changing landscapes of the Basque Country, each more wonderful than the last, will leave you with unforgettable memories. By the time you arrive in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, you will have already covered approximately 1,150 kilometres in 45 days of walking, with 12,750 metres of elevation gain. Something to be proud of! Remember to visit the pilgrims’ reception office with your pilgrim’s passport to have your visit to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port certified, before crossing the Pyrenees, and to pick up useful information for your journey through Spain. Make the most of a rest day to recharge your batteries and enjoy the town, which is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France thanks to its typical and well-preserved Basque architecture, its green landscapes opening out onto the Pyrenees, and the expertise of its producers and craftspeople.

A small peak offering a wonderful 360° view, especially if the weather is on your side. Views over the Adour plain and all the peaks to the south: Ursuya, La Rhune, Mondarin, Artzamendi, Iparla, Baigura... and the entire Pyrenean range to the south-east.

This hike takes you along one of the most beautiful sections of the Compostela trails in the Basque Country. You will pass by the Stele of Gibraltar at the crossroads of several paths and you can enjoy a stop at the open chapel of Soyarce, ideal for taking in the panorama of the Basque Pyrenees and for a picnic break.

Published by the Landes Departmental Tourism Committee under the name ‘Lower Adour Valley Route’, this route is reproduced here for use with Visorando. A very beautiful circular route alternating between undulating routes and views of the River Adour. Hilly landscape, where meadows, maize fields and kiwi orchards stand side by side. Some may find it too road-heavy, but you’re allowed to walk on roads provided they aren’t too busy.

A lovely, fairly short hike that will take you up to a 360° panoramic view around Garralda Peak.

From the Moulin de Bénesse, restored by volunteers, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Chalosse and the Pyrenees mountain range. You’ll discover the rolling countryside of Heugas and the neighbouring villages, and can spot at least seven water towers. During opening hours, you can buy bread, pastries and hot drinks at the mill car park.

A lovely circular, mostly shaded and offering beautiful views of the Pyrenees. Discover two pretty chapels on the Way of St James.

A short circular route along the river with the sweet name of Joyeuse. This route is recommended by the tourist office and is reproduced here for use with Visorando.

Please note: part of this route is closed by municipal order (October 2023) Published by the Landes Departmental Tourism Committee under the name “Entre bois et lac à Biarrotte”, this route allows you to explore Lake Bédorède and the Maison de La Mayou.

Baigura is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Basque Country. The 360° panorama offers views of: - to the east and south, the Pyrenees mountain range, the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, the Pic d’Anie, the Pic d’Orrhy and the peaks of Labourd; - to the west, Navarre, Autza and Iparla; - to the north, the beaches of the Basque Coast and the Landes.

The ascent of Soylandotchipi (or Soïlando Txipi) is almost a round trip. The path that used to allow you to complete the circular route is now claimed as private property by a local resident, which means you have to retrace your steps, but you won't lose out as the route is less road-based and less rocky.

There are several routes to the summit of Baigura, one of the Basque Country's most iconic peaks, renowned for its exceptional views. Starting from the village of Hélette, the climb is very varied. From the last houses to the nearby groves, it feels like you're setting off on a short walk to get some fresh air among the ferns. Then, as the morning light begins to gild the slopes of Erregelu and Ursuia, you find yourself drawn into a more ambitious hike, the view of the surrounding valleys becoming more beautiful as you gain height. Following a mountain path close to the ridges, the promontories follow one after the other and the summit of Erregelu, which seemed so far away, is now within reach. From its paragliding launch site, Baigura is already close by, and all that remains is to enjoy the panoramic view.

A circular walk of moderate difficulty to the top of the Baigura massif, starting from Bixintxo Chapel.

Baigura is one of the iconic peaks of the Basque Country, particularly for its view, which can give you a crick in your neck on a clear day. The panoramic view is renowned, with few peaks missing from the picture and even the peaks of the Hautes-Pyrénées visible on a very clear day. Baigura is also an exemplary mountain in terms of its commitment to combining traditional pastoralism with the outdoor activities offered by the leisure centre. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining these exceptional landscapes and sustaining the economy of the valleys. Baigura also offers a concentration of ecosystems that are a delight to visit on this hike. From heathland with gorse and ferns to rocky, windswept ridges, through undergrowth and peat bogs, there are endless discoveries to be made and the horizon is constantly changing. A benchmark for circular sporty hikes.

A lovely circular walk to discover remarkable trees in the foothills of Mont Baïgura.

A mid-mountain hike towards Baïgura, which takes you up to the peaks for a stunning 360° view.

BaÏgura is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the north of the Basque Country, with a 360° view of the mountains and the surrounding plain. Unfortunately, like many peaks, it is dotted with antennas, but they are very useful... It is a favourite spot for paragliders who jump from the top of the north face.