Camou-Cihigue walks

This walk via the Col d’Oxibar offers a particularly interesting feature: it opens up the Arbailles karst massif. The geology lends the landscape a distinctive character – at once mysterious and unique – with a cultural dimension rooted in protohistory. After passing through a small wood, the first open slopes already offer a lovely view of the ‘Ibar Esküin’ valley, Alcay, Lacarry and the high mountain ranges of Soule and Béarn. Even at this stage, the nature of the ground gives an indication of this type of limestone terrain, leading to a beautiful promontory where several piles of stones are heaped up: ‘Maide Korralea’, a testament to Soule’s ancient history. After the Oxibar Pass, on the descent, admire the old barn with its shingle roof, made of those old wooden tiles.

To the east of the Saison valley, stretching from Mauléon to Tardets, a range of hills faces the Arbailles massif to the west and the imposing wall of the Pyrenees mountain range, dominated by the Pic d’Anie to the south. The summit of Erretzü marks the furthest point of this range. This position affords it a breathtaking view of the mountains of Béarn and Haute-Soule. The route is very varied. It starts in the undergrowth alongside a lovely stream, then emerges into open ground through fern-filled glades dotted with pollarded oaks. Like the ferns that cover it, the summit changes colour with the seasons, eventually cloaking itself in a flamboyant red in autumn.

A beautiful, easy hike on Montagne d'Inchouriste from the village of Haux. A rocky ridge offering magnificent views of the Pyrenees and the surrounding mountains.

This beautiful circular loop in the foothills offers a wide variety of landscapes. Meadows with their traditional stone huts, woods and fern-filled glades dotted with pollarded oaks follow one another, not to mention the streams over which mills have been built. This allows one to better appreciate the riches of this multifaceted Basque agro-pastoral culture. There is no shortage of views: the nearby Arbailles karst massif, the flysch hills and the summit of La Madeleine, as well as the mountains of Haute-Soule.

Not far from the famous Holzarté Gorges, here is an easy-to-follow route that will take you to the Soule ridges, facing the Western Pyrenees.

The Arbailles massif is one of the limestone ranges that lie just before the Pyrenees proper. Rising to an altitude of nearly 1,300 metres, this mountain offers a magical panorama of the border peaks. The proposed route winds its way through high-altitude pastures and dark forests, until it plunges into the heart of the massif, with plenty of sheep, cows and horses as companions on the walk.

This circular route allows you to discover a farming world that is still very much alive. The farms scattered across the valley floor are still in operation, with their numerous meadows. You can gain a better understanding of this multifaceted agro-pastoral culture as you cross the forests and then the pastures of the mid-mountains. The Saint-Antoine chapel overlooks the Col d'Osquich, a popular spot for wood pigeon hunting in autumn. From the summit, there is a breathtaking view of the Soule Valley, the Haute-Soule mountains, the Arbailles karst massif and Basse-Navarre.

Hike in the Basque Country, 3 km from the village of Larrau. This hike offers magnificent 360° panoramic views from the summit: to the east, the Pic d'Anie, the Pic d'Ansabère, the Table des Trois Rois, etc.; to the west, the Pic d'Orhy; to the south, the Otchogorria with its antennas; and nearby to the south-west, the Otchogorrigagna.

A beautiful circular for contemplating the world of Basque canyons. Carved out 80 million years ago by the Olhadübi torrent, the Holtzarte gorges, 100 to 300 metres deep, are among the most spectacular in the Basque Country. In fact, "Holtze arte" means "between walls" in Basque. A path, which is quite steep in places, leads to an impressive footbridge built in 1925 by Italians for forestry work. Crossing it is a thrilling experience and is not dangerous, but some people still close their eyes... An old track leads to the top of the canyon, from where you can climb a beautiful path to the pastoral world of Haut Souletin. The views of the Larrau mountains, including Pic d'Orhi, the first 2,000-metre peak from the Basque coast, are magnificent.

A circular loop of twelve kilometres in a green setting between forest, streams and waterfalls.And above all, the crossing of the Holzarté footbridge, which is the highlight of this fairly demanding hike. If it's too physically demanding, you can turn back once you've seen the footbridge.

Located between the provinces of Basse-Navarre and Soule, the secret Arbailles massif offers many attractions for curious hikers. This limestone massif is renowned for its karstic relief, which is ideal for caving. Located in the northern part of the massif, the Beltxu route offers beautiful views and a challenging and varied hike. The view stretches far into the distance and is well worth the extra effort.

This peaceful route through the woods offers walkers the chance to discover a rich natural heritage. The flora and fauna along the route are particularly rich, with white-backed woodpeckers, Alpine longhorn beetles, beautiful specimens of beech trees and a wide variety of ferns. In addition to these natural curiosities, information panels on Basque mythology are dotted along the route. Finally, the arrival at the source of the Bidouze and its resurgence in a porch carved into the cliff will delight young and old alike.

Climb to the Erroimendy Pass from Larrau to admire this typical region in the heart of the Basque Country, at the gateway to Spain.

A beautiful stage that ends in a grand finale in a superb valley.

This is a very beautiful hike which, once you reach the ridge between Arthanolatze and Pic des Escaliers, offers superb views of the Pyrenees on one side and the Arbailles forest and the landscapes stretching from Mauléon to Oloron and beyond on the other.

A short, easy walk next to the Aramits adventure park. Beautiful views over the plain and the mountains: Anie, Madeleine, etc. Picnics possible at the summit. The route alternates between woodland and meadows, with a few signposts except for the summit.

After a nice steady climb on a wide track, you come out onto a vast pasture area. There are beautiful views throughout the climb, followed by a vast panorama from the top. A geological curiosity: large blocks of pink puddingstone at the summit.

This walk takes you to the Bois de Gouloum around the Col de Bugalaran. This lovely route offers stunning views of the village of Aramits along beautiful hillside paths.

This is a short but intense hike to a beautiful, uncrowded waterfall and spectacular scenery. It is best done in late spring to fully enjoy the waterfall.

Variation of the GR®10 starting from the Iraty Campsite. Start in the undergrowth in a magnificent Basque beech forest, then walk through the mountain pastures with griffon vultures circling above. A peaceful short hike with magnificent views of the Pyrenees and the Basque Country. Please note that there are many animals roaming freely, so it is best not to bring your dog. As this hike does not return to the starting point, leave another vehicle at the Col de Bagargi.

First day of a 6-day trip in the Basque Country. On this first day, visit the Ehujarré Gorges. A climb through the woods, then discovery of the wide grassy slopes of Utzigagna, the land of sheep and shepherds. After a visit to Urugo to admire the gorges from above, we climb back up in the morning to reach the Col de d'Errayzéko Lépoua, border marker 256.There, a vehicle will be waiting to take us to the Refuge Jeandel, saving us an 8 km drive along the border road.

A stone's throw from the Kakoueta Gorges, a major tourist attraction in Haute Soule, are the Ehujarre Gorges, wild, secluded and a real delight for hikers.

A scenic hike offering the finest views of Sainte-Engrâce and the entrance to the Gorges d’Éhujarre.

A magnificent and varied hike that allows you to discover the mysterious Occabé cromlechs. After a climb in the shade of a beautiful beech forest, you arrive at the beautiful Occabé plateau with its horses, cows, sheep and famous cromlechs. The view across the plateau is magnificent, especially from the summit of Occabé, which rises to an altitude of 1,456 metres. Descend through the woods and return via a beautiful little path that runs alongside a river to the car park.

This is a beautiful walk. It crosses the largest beech forest in Europe. From the summit of Occabé, the highest point in the Iraty Forest, the view is magnificent. Below, there is a large necropolis of Neolithic shepherds. It has around twenty well-preserved cromlechs. They date back to 1000 BC and are a kind of circle in the middle of which the ashes of the dead were placed.

Occabé is the highest point on the Iraty plateau. It offers a 360° view of the Pyrenees mountain range. The Occabé plateau is home to the most extraordinary megalithic site in the Basque Country. The ascent and descent take you through the largest beech forest in Europe. It's beautiful everywhere.

Starting from the pretty little village of Bunus, this hike off the beaten track allows you to discover a pastoral mountain offering an original panorama of the Larceveau valleys and the sources of the Bidouze. The village of Bunus has the particularity of being "cut" in two by the D918 road. The town hall is therefore quite far from the church district, the starting point of this route. Be sure to visit the church porch, where you can see three ancient tombs.

An accessible short hike allowing you to climb Pic d'Orhy, the first peak to reach 2,000 metres above sea level from the Atlantic Ocean and the highest point in Soule. Magnificent views of the surrounding Basque Country and the high peaks of the Pyrenees.

A lovely stage through Soule (Xiberoa) to its capital, Mauléon-Licharre (Maule-Lextarre).

This loop offers changing landscapes, starting with pastures and gradually becoming rockier as you approach Pic d'Anie. Crossing the passes and cols will give you the opportunity to discover valleys that are very different from one another. Pic d'Anie is the highest mountain in the area and offers views of the French and Spanish Pyrenees.

From La Pierre Saint-Martin, you can see the Pic d'Anie in the distance.You start at the foot of the slopes with your destination in sight, and it takes about 3½ hours to reach the summit. In summer, you won't be alone on this route.

A lovely circular, mostly shaded and offering beautiful views of the Pyrenees. Discover two pretty chapels on the Way of St James.