Cap Figuier loop to Artzu Portua

de fr

This half-day loop follows the coast from Cap Figuier to Artzu Portua, offering beautiful views of the sea and rocky ledge.
The outward journey uses the GR®121, which runs along the coast, while the return is via a path that follows the contour lines, and is therefore flat and without difficulty.

Details

n°2194659
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.27 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 145 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 147 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 70 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 10 m
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Photos

Sea
Ocean, forest and moors
Cap du Figuier coast
The coves seen from the way back.

Description of the walk

Start: drive through Fontarrabie to the end of Cap Figuier (Cap Higer in Spanish) and park in the campsite car park.

(S/E) Take the path from the car park at the far end, which passes over the water treatment plant. Reach the path junction at Depuradora.

(1) Turn right onto the GR®121, marked in Red and White. Follow this coastal path to the water station, crossing a small stream.

(2) Do not take the path that runs perpendicular to the coast, but continue on the GR® until you reach a lovely view of Artzu Portua cove. Go as far as the junction of the paths.

(3) Take the left-hand forest path that runs along the contour lines. The path meanders, crossing the Martierreka, Kapelutako Erreka and Erreka streams before reaching the Depuradora crossroads.

(1) Return to the campsite car park (S/E) along the same route as the outward journey.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 44 m - Car park at Cap Figuier campsite
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 42 m - The GR121 goes off to the right along the coastal path
  3. 2 : km 2.21 - alt. 14 m - Water station
  4. 3 : km 3.13 - alt. 24 m - Forest road junction
  5. S/E : km 7.27 - alt. 44 m - Back to the car park

Notes

Warning: there are no water points on this route, but it is fairly short and partly shaded, so a simple water bottle will suffice.

Worth a visit

The walk offers beautiful views of the coast.
In the same area, you can follow routes from the Hermitage of Guadalupe.
And to round off the walk, you can pass through Fontarrabie to enjoy pinxos on the terraces of the restaurants on the pedestrian San Pedro street.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 42 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Manu40Rando
Manu40Rando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting route, the first part of which runs close to the coast, then returns a little higher up via easier forest tracks, as they are almost on the same contour line. But BEWARE: at kilometre 3, there must have been a landslide, as you have to scramble or even use your hands to get around the lack of path at the bottom and find it again a few metres further on. If you want to avoid this pitfall, it is better to follow the red and white markings of the Spanish GR No. 121. It is undeniably complicated if you are not comfortable with balancing. Otherwise, it is a circular route for getting some fresh air.

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Elo79
Elo79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with superb views and a return trip through the forest.
The circular is shortened because the path has collapsed between points 2 and 3.
Quite busy with hikers, runners and people walking their dogs on this Monday, 10 November.

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User 3655599

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
i think there is an error in the elevation gain. My GPS showed a value closer to 450 m than the 145 m stated.
Part of the path has collapsed. Follow the red and white markings carefully.
Thank you.

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b.loiseau49
b.loiseau49

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A very beautiful walk offering stunning scenery. Easy to do as a stroll. The return route through the woods provides a pleasant change of scenery. Stop for a drink at one of the bars on the way back to continue enjoying the view while you relax.

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Judith 33
Judith 33

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very busy over the 4 days of the bank holiday/bridge but very beautiful. The way back through the forest is very pleasant, with some beautiful trees, including chestnut trees. However, there are several paths on the left to join the path along the sea and the one higher up in the forest: take the one with a large tree at the crossroads and a white/red sign of the cross.

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Nono C.
Nono C.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent walk. Superb sea views for a long section. Very pleasant end in the forest. Be careful, the path to take is not easy to find (collapse?) just after point 3 (Artzuportu). The path you need to take is clearly visible but interrupted. To get through, you need to descend as close as possible to the sea via the rocks, make an easy descent (2m at the most) and climb back up via the rocks to find the path.

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garmend64
garmend64

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Always a pleasant walk, with the first part along the ocean. The route is accessible, so it's a busy one, and it's also just the first part of the circuit leading to Pasaia. We were a little frustrated by this hilly section (between 2 and 3), which cuts the loop short and spoils the fun a little. At the end of the loop, we walked a little further to get an additional viewpoint.
Back through the peaceful forest with a breath of fresh air. The whole point of walking in the forest is to recharge your batteries and get in touch with nature, that's what it's all about (reply to some of the previous comments).
Thank you for your previous comments, which are always useful.

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annesophieszn
annesophieszn

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

great walk, very pleasant, the site is magnificent.
Beware, however, that the path is interrupted between points 2 and 3 because it has collapsed (there is a ribbon to defend access: believe it!) but with a diversion (a portion of the return path) you reach the artzu portua all the same. The return through the forest is very pleasant.

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Florando64
Florando64

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I was disappointed by the environment, which is not at all exceptional. 2 or 3 relatively pretty viewpoints over the sea, but nothing more! The hike ended on a path through the woods with no view at all. I wouldn't recommend it!

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asker
asker

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Sublime scenery by the ocean.
The area remains unspoilt despite the nearby urbanisation.
Very busy; many mountain bikes; avoid in summer.
Signposting OK, even though several routes intersect.

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michette81
michette81

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb views of the ocean and the waves crashing against the cliffs
One or two passages a little slippery
The restaurant near the start-finish line is very nice and serves food, but late.

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vinorando
vinorando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely ride, despite a sea of oil!

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mgcia
mgcia

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very nice tour with beautiful sea views. easy to do with the family

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eric bourdon
eric bourdon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb route, fairly short but not too difficult, close to the town, so lots of people from 10.00 onwards;

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Pascal Evelyne
Pascal Evelyne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb walk with magnificent views of the ocean, forest and moors. Easy for most walkers, although there are a few ascents and descents. It's impossible to make a mistake on the return journey and you can take another path to complete the loop. Don't forget your hat - there are plenty of open areas, but also some great places to take a break in the shade in summer. A short visit to Fontarrabie is recommended afterwards for lovers of Pintxos and the Hispanic atmosphere.

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