Walk along the banks of the Adour and through its alluvial plains

de fr

This family-friendly walk will take you along the banks of the Adour and its alluvial plain. ¹
The alluvial plains are vast floodplains frequented by herds of semi-wild horses. The area is rich in wildlife, including storks, egrets and grey herons.
This walk follows the old towpath along the banks of the Adour and can also be done by mountain bike. It has recently been tarmacked from the start to Saubusse. As mentioned above, as the alluvial plains are floodplains, it is best not to walk there after heavy rain.

Details

n°1422527
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m
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Photos

adour "beach"
Horses in the alluvial plains
Port de Saubusse
The alluvial plains

Description of the walk

Start from the bridge over the Adour between the villages of Tercis and Rivière. Park below the bridge.

(S/E) Follow the old towpath along the right bank of the Adour.

(1) After 1.3 km, you will see the return path on your right. Continue straight ahead along the Adour.

(2) From here, you can see the alluvial plain on your right. Continue along the Adour to the port of Saubusse.

(3) Just after crossing the small bridge, turn right and follow a small stream for about 400 m.

(4) Turn onto the track on the right and go through the gate (make sure you close it behind you). Follow the "canal". Continue along the same track until you reach a barbed wire fence.

(5) Go through the small gate and turn right onto another track.

(6) Take the track that branches off to the right and runs alongside a large pond (l'Esté).

(7) Take the track that branches off to the right.

(8) House of the "witch" (Le Bos), continue until you reach the Adour.

(1) Turn left and follow the Adour upstream to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - River bridge - Adour (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 1.36 - alt. 6 m - Crossroads of the loop. 400 m from the confluence of the Adour and - Luy (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 2.74 - alt. 6 m - Barthes
  4. 3 : km 5.83 - alt. 2 m - Small bridge at the port of Saubusse
  5. 4 : km 6.17 - alt. 3 m - Path to Les Alluvial Plains
  6. 5 : km 7.67 - alt. 3 m - Portal
  7. 6 : km 8.29 - alt. 4 m - Track
  8. 7 : km 8.93 - alt. 4 m - Crossroads
  9. 8 : km 9.84 - alt. 5 m - House of the "witch"
  10. S/E : km 11.5 - alt. 7 m - River bridge

Notes

No special equipment required. Can be done in trainers.

Worth a visit

The Adour is a river in the Aquitaine Basin in south-western France, classified as a Natura 2000 site. With a length of 308 km, it rises in the Pyrenean massif of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre ¹ and flows into the Atlantic Ocean after Bayonne, at Tarnos on the right bank and Anglet on the left bank.
¹ The Adour is formed in the Campan valley in Haute-Bigorre from the confluence of three torrents:
the Adour de Payolle, from the Arbizon massif (2,831 m),
the Adour de Gripp, from the Pic du Midi de Bigorre massif (2,877 m),
the Adour de Lesponne, from the Lascours massif (2,488 m).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 17 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 26801213

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

From now on, I will consult Visorando to plan my hikes
Good luck and thank you!

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Manu40Rando
Manu40Rando
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route runs between the banks of the Adour (Scandibérique cycle path) and tracks through the alluvial plains, where you can see cows, horses, egrets and numerous storks. Pleasant even in strong sunshine as there are many shaded areas.

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Merillon
Merillon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and peaceful route along the banks of the Adour river, with lots of storks and horses.

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Yonoch
Yonoch

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the loop with the return trip along the path running alongside the canal inside the alluvial plain.
This was impassable due to the previous bad weather.
We therefore returned via the Adour path.
It would be useful to point out that if you can see flooded fields in the distance, it is not possible to cross the alluvial plain.
Otherwise, your descriptions are very well done and relatively easy to follow.🤗

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Fydel
Fydel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant stroll along the shaded banks of the Adour, catching glimpses of horses and cows in the alluvial plain. We enjoyed the information boards along the towpath.
Well-marked route, interesting commentary on the Adour.
Thank you.
N.B.:
The small port of Saubusse is a lovely spot for a picnic or snack, as well as a stroll around the village.

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Chrétien
Chrétien

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy, pleasant walk... partly shaded. Note that we found ourselves at the gate at point 5 with a padlock. We crawled under the fence 😅.

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PhilRS
PhilRS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Numerous wading birds in the Grande alluvial plain, following a tractor during harvest time. At the end of July, crossing the Grande alluvial plain requires wearing a hat or other similar protection.
Easy.

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CATH24
CATH24

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, semi-shaded hike to be enjoyed outside of the rainy seasons; beautiful, vast alluvial plain landscapes with many horses still present at this time of year. Picnic option on the banks of the Adour River in Saubusse.

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GOGO
GOGO

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, particularly along the banks of the Adour. Serenity, calm and, what's more, a lesson in nature await you. Crossing the alluvial plain is, of course, more monotonous but still interesting with its horses roaming free.

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ZaboKle
ZaboKle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Flat terrain, ideal for families.
Amazing geography: in the Landes region, we are more used to expanses of pine and oak trees. The horses were there waiting for us.
We will definitely be back.

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phil40
phil40

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

excellent, easy hike, partly on tarmac and partly on stony ground, so not suitable for people with weak knees or ankles

alternative route through the meadows, but beware of horses and cows (at point 7, turn right and follow the dotted line)

not recommended in direct sunlight

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Eva4082
Eva4082

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and very pleasant walk where you can observe egrets, storks, horses, donkeys and much more.
Be careful, however, at stage 5, as the gate is now closed with three large padlocked chains!

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Max LANDAL
Max LANDAL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk at this time of year. Peace and tranquillity along the Adour river.

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coupdephil
coupdephil

Thank you for your review. I wish you many more enjoyable walks on Visorando.

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Tagadarola
Tagadarola

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I always use the map tracking feature on the app, which makes it very easy to follow the route.
A very pleasant walk with no difficulty, where you may encounter horses in the alluvial plain. Along the Adour, information boards provide details about the environment, which is enjoyable for both adults and children.
The village of Saubusse is charming, and you can visit its "port"
. Be careful, however, that it hasn't rained in the previous days, otherwise there will be a lot of mud and the Adour may be flooded.

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