Loop starting from San Martial hermitage

Walk from the San Martial hermitage with panoramic views on both sides of the border.
To be avoided during the hunting season, as the path is lined with pigeon shoots.

Details

2713463
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.80 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 305 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 305 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 368 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 158 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Irun, head for "Ermita San Marcial" (San Martzial). On arrival, there's a large car park.

(S/E) Continue on foot along the road alongside the parking lot. Soon reach a crossroads.

(1) Turn right onto the concrete path that runs alongside the row of pigeon houses. Reach Saroia Berri.

(2) Continue downhill on the track opposite, soon reaching a new crossroads.

(3) Take the leftmost path, alongside a farmhouse with a Smoking Giant. Keep to this path and, after a right-hand bend, reach a new crossroads.

(4) Take the path that climbs to the right, loop around to the left, then come to a new intersection. Turn left and continue on the path which now supports the GR®11. Keep left on the GR® to reach a meadow.

(5) Enter the meadow by opening the metal gate (close it behind you). Find the path and turn left. Follow the path to reach a new crossroads towards Atsegin Arri.

(6) Take the path down to the road, skirting it before joining it at a sharp bend.

(7) Turn right onto the forest track. This almost level path joins the Géant qui fume crossroads.

(3) Go left up the hill to quickly reach the crossroads you passed on the outward journey.

(2) Turn right onto the track which runs horizontally. Rejoin the road at Aldaratxarreta.

(8) Keep to the left, ignoring the left and right turns, to reach the first crossroads.

(1) Continue straight ahead and take the same route as before to reach the car park of the San Martial hermitage (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 200 m - Car park at the San Martial hermitage
  2. 1 : km 0.25 - alt. 223 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : km 1.42 - alt. 194 m - Straight to the Giant
  4. 3 : km 1.49 - alt. 185 m - Continue along the path opposite
  5. 4 : km 2.13 - alt. 241 m - Right uphill
  6. 5 : km 2.96 - alt. 358 m - Cross a fence and enter the meadow
  7. 6 : km 3.76 - alt. 299 m - Take the path up the slope
  8. 7 : km 4.44 - alt. 172 m - Crossroads
  9. 8 : km 6.39 - alt. 158 m - Take the road on the left
  10. S/E : km 7.8 - alt. 200 m - Car park at the San Martial hermitage

Notes

Water and toilet facilities at the picnic area at the foot of the hermitage.

Worth a visit

The platform around the Hermitage offers a beautiful view of the Basque coast.
For lunch, you can picnic in the area next to the hermitage, or dine at the Cantina San Marcial (for reservations: +34 943 62 22 29).
You can also return to the Asador Patrixi on the roadside (between 8 and 1) (for reservations: +34 943 63 22 45)

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.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Anne-Valerie
Anne-Valerie

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

If you like the forest, that's great! Apart from that...

Machine-translated

User 3694218

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in August 2025 in good weather.
Beautiful views of the Bidassoa Valley and the village of Biriatou (in France).
It is essential to have the Visorando description as there are no signposts along the route.

Machine-translated

Georges1970
Georges1970

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

A very short circuit with no difficulties
A walk of little interest

Machine-translated

Lulu40
Lulu40

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Do not enter the meadow at point (5). Take the path on the right that runs alongside the meadow.
The other instructions are correct,

Machine-translated

N.TACHON
N.TACHON
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant tour on a beautiful February day. We met quite a few mountain bikers, horses and hikers. Beautiful views. No particular difficulties.
At point 7, contrary to what is indicated, do not go through the barrier, but take the path to the right...

Machine-translated

Flox94
Flox94

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views along the way and a varied environment

Machine-translated

Castelet
Castelet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb shady walk. Ideal on hot sunny days.
Lots of picnic tables around the hermitage.
Beautiful views from the hermitage.

Machine-translated

hendaye
hendaye

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views of my home village of Biriatou.
We didn't meet anyone that day.
Good description

Machine-translated

Marc Etxeberria Lanz
Marc Etxeberria Lanz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I used this route to complete it with historical drifts towards the Erlaitz fort at the foot of Aiako Aria in search of the fighting of August 1936!
So it was perfect

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.