Circular loop of the Zigorriaga, Akozpe and Manttale peaks

de fr

A circular route to discover three peaks overlooking the Basque coast to the north and the Bidasoa valley to the south.

Details

n°8342627
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 288 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 286 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 572 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 404 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

View towards the lake and, further away, the sea
Circular photo
The summit of Akozpe
Le Choldo on the right

Description of the walk

Head towards the Col d'Ibardin, cross the shopping district and go up to Venta Elizalde. Park in the car park opposite the Venta.

(S/E) Take the track that heads horizontally towards the north-west.
It joins another track coming from the right and reaches a Y-junction.

(1) Take the track on the left that winds its way up the edge of the forest and joins theGR®10.
Continue on theGR®10until you reach a fork below Manttale.

(2) Leave theGR®10by turning left towards Zigorriaga on the border ridge.

(3) Continue south-west towards Akozpe, still on the border ridge.
Shortly before the summit of Akozpe, ignore the path that curves away to the left. This is the path to take on your return.

(4) Akospe, altitude 458 m. Turn back to the previous bend and follow the path on the right (elevation 467 m) towards a lake on the Spanish side.
Walk along the lake and head north along the edge of the forest until you find a hairpin bend path on the left.

(5) Turn left, then climb right up the ridge path towards the north-east to reach Manttale, altitude 574 m.

(6) Cross the Redoute de la Zigzag and continue along the ridge to the forest. Then head south-east along the edge of the forest to reach a wide track below.

(7) Turn left to return to the Venta Elizalde car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 404 m - Venta Elizalde car park
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 406 m - Y-junction
  3. 2 : km 1.52 - alt. 527 m - Fork below the - Manttale
  4. 3 : km 2.1 - alt. 547 m - Zigorriaga
  5. 4 : km 2.92 - alt. 451 m - Akozpe
  6. 5 : km 4.33 - alt. 522 m - Turn left
  7. 6 : km 4.92 - alt. 572 m - Manttale
  8. 7 : km 5.66 - alt. 482 m - Crossroads - Track on the left
  9. S/E : km 6.55 - alt. 405 m - Venta Elizalde car park

Notes

No water along the route.

Worth a visit

The restaurants in Ibardin welcome you after a morning walk.

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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
hd71
hd71

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This was an easy and enjoyable walk, which gave us great views of the surrounding peaks and the many pottocks that roam freely in this area.

Machine-translated

Flox94
Flox94

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful circular with a few more difficult sections where you need to be careful.
Very beautiful unobstructed views at several points along the route

Machine-translated

balalud jean-michel
balalud jean-michel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful, easy hike

Machine-translated

Santiago3164
Santiago3164

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike offering stunning views of the Basque mountains and the sea. After a few hundred metres of slightly steep terrain, the walk becomes easy along the ridge path.
A word of advice: start the hike before 9 a.m. in high season to avoid the crowds.

Machine-translated

Murielle Biez
Murielle Biez

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 : Yes

Beautiful hike, magnificent views of the Basque and Spanish mountains.
No difficulty and well signposted

Machine-translated

06 61 24 92 29
06 61 24 92 29

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting, easy hike in the fresh air and peaceful surroundings.

Machine-translated

cgarnier64
cgarnier64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A parish-specific to Brittany, very nice little hike with no real difficulty except for one or two sections where you have to watch your step. It took us barely two hours, taking it easy and following the GPS track. Lovely views all along the way, really nice.

Machine-translated

Amona64
Amona64

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike with sublime views, both of the sea and the mountains.
We did it in February in glorious, clear weather.
Please note, however, that even walking at a steady pace, it took us longer than expected, and we do not recommend this hike with young children due to the steep, rocky slopes, some of which are on the mountainside.
Be sure to follow Visorando as there are virtually no markings

Machine-translated

laetitia.chauvet
laetitia.chauvet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, easy to do with children. Superb views on the way there.
On the way back to Manttale, the path is less charming as it is a very wide track.

Overall, we really enjoyed this walk

Machine-translated

Nanard40
Nanard40

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike where we encountered a few animals. The route is accessible to everyone.
Afterwards, there are some good restaurants to round off the day.

Machine-translated

Welo33
Welo33
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Truly magnificent, we did it with our 12-year-old son. Make sure you are well equipped, as some access points require caution.
We were delighted, the GPS worked well and the route was spot on.
I recommend eating at Les Frangines (Elizalde) before setting off for a delicious omelette.

Machine-translated

GaDur
GaDur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very enjoyable hike with children aged 4 and 6.
The route over the three peaks is really great for the views, especially as horses accompanied us on the climb and over the pass, which greatly helped the children's efforts.
Thank you!

Machine-translated

lasserre.francis
lasserre.francis

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

With the sky clear, it is a marvel to behold.

Machine-translated

Castelet
Castelet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very pleasant walk with beautiful views of the Basque coast.
Plan to have lunch in a benta at the end of the walk...

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Mandalle and Zigorriaga from Ibardin

Visorando member
Mandalle et Zigorriaga depuis Ibardin
↔3.68 km ↗+187 m ↘-184 m ◔1h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
This is a beautiful and fairly short hike, suitable for families (only the start is a little steep), offering superb views of the region's iconic peaks such as La Rhune and Les Trois Couronnes, as well as the Pyrenees mountain range in the distance and the coast.

Walking Manttale and the Redoute du Zigzag

Association / Club / Walk leader
Manttale et la Redoute de la Baïonnette
↔6.85 km ↗+338 m ↘-336 m ◔2h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A route starting from Ibardin that climbs up to Mantalle (or Menddalé), where the Redoute de la Baïonnette is located; this was part of the Rhune fortifications used during battles, particularly against the coalition led by Wellington. From the ridge, there are magnificent views in both directions.

Walking Irungo Soro

Association / Club / Walk leader
Irungo Soro
↔7.93 km ↗+328 m ↘-327 m ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A circular passing by the Zigorriaga viewpoint and the redoubt of zigzag on the Manttale.

Walking Mandalle and Col des Joncs from Ibardin

Visorando member
Mandalle et Col des Joncs depuis Ibardin
↔5.25 km ↗+267 m ↘-266 m ◔2h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A lovely hike above Ibardin, offering the chance to climb a few peaks, including Mandalle, and enjoy a 360° view of the surrounding peaks and the sea.

Walking Loop at the Col d'Lbardin

Visorando member
Boucle au col d'lbardin
↔11.92 km ↗+486 m ↘-494 m ◔4h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A beautiful hike that combines superb views and varied trails. Definitely do it in good weather to enjoy the landscapes that await you.

Walking Lake Ibardin, Xoldoko Gaina, Manddale from the Col d'Ibardin

Visorando member
Lac d'Ibardin, Xoldoko Gaina, Manddale depuis le Col d'Ibardin
↔13.25 km ↗+580 m ↘-572 m ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
This hike is actually a trilogy of the most beautiful places to the west and north-west of the Col d'Ibardin. The Col d'Ibardin (the French-Spanish border ridge) is well known for its ventas and restaurants, which attract many visitors all year round. But it also offers beautiful walks thanks to its tracks and hiking trails. What is proposed here is a long route that passes through the three main points of these places and offers the most beautiful views of this region over the surrounding peaks, such as the Trois Couronnes to the west and the Rhune to the east. There are also magnificent views of the ocean and the towns of Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye, Hondarribia, Irun, etc.

Walking Lake Xoldokogaina from the Ibardin Pass

Visorando member
Lac Xoldokogaina à partir du Col d'Ibardin
↔6.99 km ↗+112 m ↘-113 m ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Lake Xoldokogaina, also known as Lake Ibardin, is located at an altitude of 330 m in the Arola Valley, surrounded by the Xoldo, Munhoa and Onéaga mountains. It was created in the early 1930s as a water reserve. Swimming and fishing are prohibited. A hike starting from the car park, below the ventas (traditional Basque restaurants) when arriving from the pass, provides access to the lake and offers beautiful views of the Basque coast and the surrounding mountains. The trail crosses pastureland where you may encounter pottoks and betisoak. The Ibardin Pass offers exceptional views of the Spanish and French Pyrenees. The site is ideal for relaxing by the water or enjoying a picnic.

Walking Xoldoko Gaina from the Col d'Ibardin

Local authority
Xoldoko Gaina depuis le Col d'Ibardin
↔6.21 km ↗+272 m ↘-268 m ◔2h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Popular for its ventas and other Sunday shopping, the Col d'Ibardin is also the starting point for easy, scenic walks along the Atlantic coast. One of these involves a visit to Lake Xoldokogaina and is suitable for families. As most of the climb is concentrated at the beginning of the walk, it is advisable to take a leisurely pace to reach the highest venta, then the Manddale slopes. The view is already very wide and encourages contemplative breaks. As you round a grove of conifers, the entire Xoldokogaina massif comes into view, a complex of moors and shady valleys, a true paradise for pottoks! It's time for the long descent to the lake, where you can take a break in the shade of hundred-year-old oaks.

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.