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Start: Access by car
Drive to the village of Zugarramurdi, either from Sare via Venta Berrouet, or from Ainhoa across the border at Dantxaria. Once you've reached the village square, walk past the church and a hundred or so metres further on, take the road that climbs to the left. Follow this winding road up to the pass, where you'll find a car park, a carved standing stone and an information panel.
(S/E) Take (as suggested by the Ibaineta signpost) the path that runs due South almost horizontally. Opposite, slightly to the left, stands Alkuruntz. After 250m, before a sheepfold, take a path down to the left to bypass this small building: follow this path as it descends, rises and then levels out again.
(1) About 25min after the start, cross a small stream over rocks and continue. Reach a fence and take the path on the right (yellow and white markings), which rises and passes behind a sheepfold.
The path climbs up through gravel and then reaches a stream at a crossroads.
A signpost with a dolmen and cromlech logo indicates the direction to follow on the left: Ibaineta.
100m further on, at the plateau, follow the path along the left-hand side of a large stony enclosure.
On the right, the southern ridge of Axuria (Pena Plata) dominates the landscape.
(2) Very soon, on the right, branch off a few metres to discover a small cromlech. Then pick up the path again.
Continue and 400m further on, you'll come across another cromlech and a tumulus.
After another 500m, pass a dolmen.
(3) A little further on, at the signpost, turn right (North-East).
Pass a sign informing you about the flora of the peat bog below.
Continue on to Col d'Ibaineta, where you'll see a second sign with information on dolmens and cromlechs.
(4) At the edge of the wood, take the obvious path to the right (South-East) up to the 1st summit. Descend in the same direction to reach the summit of Mendibil.
Here you'll find a stone structure with a letterbox, a wrought-iron piece decorated with various Basque symbols and a firing turret dating from Franco's army.
The 360° view from here is remarkable.
(5) Below, to the North-East, Col Urbia and its car park are clearly visible. The descent is steep enough to reach the car park (S/E).
the only small downside was on the descent via the Col d'Ibaineta when I came across some enduro bikers on the way who were damaging the route by leaving large ruts that filled up with run-off water and eroded the path .... what a shame 
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Local authority
