Ibardin–Manttale–Zigorriega circular, returning via the Spanish side

Park in one of the car parks at Ibardin, preferably towards the top. 

(S/E) Do not follow the GR®10, but take the track that branches off to the right of the upper ventas. Go through a gate.

(1) Take a path on the left which makes a wide circular loop to rejoin the GR®10, which you left earlier. Follow it to the right until you reach a path climbing to the left, at the edge of the forest. 

(2) Take this path and head for the ridge. Follow the ridge to the right until you reach the first unnamed summit, at an altitude of 560 m. 

(3) Continue along the grassy ridge to the summit of Manttale (574 m).

(4) The path then descends to a plateau with the remains of redoubts, the remnants of Napoleonic fortifications. It climbs slightly again to Zigorriega (549 m).

(5)The path continues to follow the ridge as it descends, coming to a small peak which you will go round to the right. It then descends steeply over large boulders and reaches a grassy clearing. 

(6) Just past a marker post, a path marked with a cross descends to the left. Take this earthen path, which quickly leads to a three-way junction at a concrete-paved clearing.

(7) Continue along the path that climbs to the left. It runs alongside what used to be a larch forest, sadly destroyed by poorly controlled controlled burning;this allows you to see the landscape between the charred trunks, but what a shame. You make a wide circular route to the right, skirting the edge of the forest, before reaching a junction in a grassy clearing (480 m). 

(8) Take the path on the left, which starts off flat and then descends, leading to the car park at the two upper ‘ventas’. Follow the road back to the car park (S/E). 

A short walk, ideal for getting back into the swing of things.

You can grab a bite to eat or a drink on arrival, or even do some shopping.