Aitzondo waterfall from Meaka

Signposted loop on the SL-GI-1006 trail which passes at the foot of the Aitzondo waterfall and along the Irugurutzeta kilns.

Apart from the incline at the start and the staircase to follow, the rest of the hike is a pleasant, mostly shaded walk with no major difficulties.

The spectacle of the great waterfall is magnificent for those who manage to get close enough.

Technical sheet

3121480
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 254 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 254 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 202 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 29 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: From Irun, head towards the Aiako Harria Nature Park, and before starting the climb to the pass, park in the car park opposite the Ola cider house.

(S/E) Follow the tarmac road past the cider house, south to the iron-ore furnaces.

(1) Turn right onto the path leading to the Aitzondo waterfall. After skirting the furnaces from a terrace above, start climbing what was once an inclined plane used to lower ore wagons from the mines above.
After a tough climb, the path winds through the woods to a stone staircase. At the top of the stairs, turn left towards the waterfall.

(2) To see the big waterfall, cross the river on the large stones and walk along the opposite bank.
This part of the journey requires a good level of fitness, but the view is superb. Follow the same route back to the top of the stairs.

(3) Continue along the path to the left, ignoring the stairs that descend to the right. The path leads to a paved road.

(4) Take the road opposite, following the green and white markings.

(5) Continue right on the local path, still marked in green and white, to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 31 m - Cidrerie car park
  2. 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 61 m - Iron mining - Fours d'Irugurutzeta
  3. 2 : km 1.98 - alt. 202 m - Viewpoint - Cascade Aitzondo ou Cascade d'Irusta
  4. 3 : km 2.22 - alt. 145 m - At the top of the stairs
  5. 4 : km 3.26 - alt. 152 m - Cemented road
  6. 5 : km 4.26 - alt. 55 m - Right on SL-GI-1006
  7. S/E : km 4.97 - alt. 31 m - Back to the car park

Practical information

Start: From Irun, head towards the Aiako Harria Nature Park, and before starting the climb to the pass, park in the car park opposite the Ola cider house.

Refreshments: Don't hesitate to have a meal at the cidrerie Ola.

In the nearby area

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
MaxMel
MaxMel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb hike, great weather, a real treat.
The discovery of the waterfalls at the end of the climb is brilliant.
We'd recommend it.

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elaia
elaia

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very good, but it's a shame that there isn't something at the end to allow you to see the big waterfall (a simple rope, for example). There was too much water to pass safely to the other side.

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Mamas49
Mamas49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Great

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Hervé Bignon
Hervé Bignon

It's so true that it's better to climb the stairs that that's how the route is indicated.
So it's not the wrong way round but as described

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eric bourdon
eric bourdon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A short hike not to be done after heavy rain if you want to see the waterfall in its entirety. I wasn't able to cross the river at the finish because of the water level. Apart from that, the trail is really pleasant. You have to walk it in the direction suggested by Visorando, as it seems to me that it's better to walk up the slope and up the stairs than down them.

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Rixam
Rixam

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

To avoid the mistakes I made:
Exit at the 1st motorway exit "Irun" which has the number 0, shortly after the Biriatou exit after the toll.
Follow Aiako Harria (the nature park).
After parking at the Ola cider house, follow the road alongside it and do not take the path up to the right, as this is the way back (there are no signs).
Continue straight on to the ovens and follow the signs...
It took me 1 hour to get there on my own, walking at a leisurely pace.

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Renaud0001
Renaud0001

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

It's a lovely loop that runs along both sides of a valley, culminating in a beautiful waterfall!
We did this walk with a 6-year-old child without any difficulties, even though we are not hikers.
Crossing the river to see the waterfall was easy (the river was probably low given the season). We simply didn't go all the way to the top of the waterfall as it gets quite steep without hiking boots and with a child. We still had a great view of the waterfall.

A lovely walk that's accessible to everyone!

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Chris0064
Chris0064

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk for the whole family. The start of the route is a little complicated (steep slope with rocks) but the rest is very pleasant.

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Andiazabal
Andiazabal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk done with three children aged 10, 10 and 7, be careful crossing the river to see the waterfall the stones are slippery but the show is worth it

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jacdav35
jacdav35

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Difficult at first, straight ascent then stairs
The final section is magnificent, with the waterfall visible behind the trees. To get the best possible view of it, cross the torrent on the wet pebbles; you have to be very careful, but it's superb.
The return is easier

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Flox94
Flox94

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful waterfall, but the end of the route to the waterfall is acrobatic and slippery.

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preupreu
preupreu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant walk with an 8 year old child and my 80 year old parents (very good walkers)!

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Sébastien33
Sébastien33

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Watch out for the last 50 metres, which are particularly difficult after crossing the river, but the view is superb.

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morgane1978
morgane1978

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant hike, which is certainly even more enjoyable in summer as it is in the shade.
When we got to the waterfall, the view was slightly impaired by some fallen trees.
My friend, however, had the courage to climb a little higher after crossing the rocks and saw the waterfall much better than I did.
But even at my level, I'm very happy with what I saw and with this lovely hike.
Thank you very much.

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mgcia
mgcia

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

thank you visorando

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