Circular route to Urdaburu

The starting point is in the Latse district, at the Abillaitz hamlet on the GI 3410 (see Google Maps link); there are a few parking spaces near a small green waste bin. This is where a concrete track begins, leading to the Txabolategi hamlet. At the bend in the track, we take the path on the right which leads us into the forest. Continuing along the main route, the climb takes us to the Azeri Pass (410 m, point 1), the start of a pleasant ridge walk to the summit of Urdaburu. The pass separates two of the three twin peaks flanking Urdaburu to the west, Agiña and Erkaitz (marked by a cairn), both of which are easily accessible. You need to make a short detour to climb Erkaitz (437 m, point 2), which lies to the left of the main path. From the pass, we head straight up, following the ridge line until we reach the summit rocks. We then veer slightly left to join the eastern ridge and reach the Elorrieta Pass (395 m), recognisable by its Canadian-style gate. A wide track then appears; we follow it to the left towards Pagoetako gaina (436 m, point 3), the third peak of this trio. The summit, situated on the left, is marked by a boundary stone and a wooden post. We then descend towards the vast Lizarregi Pass (365 m), which offers superb panoramic views, both to the north and to the south. Its strategic position is evidenced by the numerous marked trails that intersect there. Facing us, Urdaburu reveals itself in full, with its impressive western rock face, seemingly impassable. We leave the track at a signpost to take a path that climbs to the left, which we follow to the summit. It leads to the foot of the rock face, which it skirts to the right, climbing between the boulders. Once on the upper plateau, the path winds its way through pine trees and boulders to the summit ridge, where the triangulation point and the post box (buzon) are located. Here we are at the top of Udaburu (599m, point 4), which rises majestically to an altitude of 600 metres between the right bank of the River Urumea and the Añarbe reservoir. The view alone makes the climb worthwhile: on a clear day, La Concha Bay and the entire coast of Gipuzkoa are clearly visible, despite the twelve kilometres separating us. For the return journey, we retrace our steps to avoid descending the eastern slope, which is very steep and potentially vertiginous. We skirt around Urdaburu Txiki to the north and follow the path which takes us through Pagosarde (413m, point 5, signpost). Nearby, we note the presence of a small pond with a remarkable ecosystem. From here, there is the option to shorten the hike and descend to point 9, where the path joins the Usoko stream. We continue along the planned route heading north-east and arrive at Zuarkazu (465m, point 6). At the foot of Malbazarko Gaina (416m, information sign), we take a small path, pass another pond and climb this hill (443m, point 7). The summit of Malbazar (or Malbazarko Gaina) is a well-known area for the passage of migratory birds. We then descend to the nearby pass of the same name (406m, point 8). We return via the GR®121 just below to get back to Pagosarde, then skirt Urdaburu Txiki once more, this time along its northern slope. Our route is circular and we complete it by reaching the Usoko stream (point 9), which flows into the Urumea at Latse. A fork to the right allows us to descend towards the Usoko stream valley. The track, initially stony then tarmac, follows this watercourse; we cross a bridge (point 10) and make our way back to Latse at a leisurely pace. We follow the road for about a hundred metres to the Abillaitz farmhouse, our finishing point where we have parked the cars.

Anglet Accueille hike (guide Richard)