Aranzazu Chapel from the Pinodieta Pass

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The chapel of Ainhoa, dedicated to Our Lady, was built on the side of Mount Atsulai at an altitude of 389 metres. Below the chapel, a small cave has been reconstructed. The statue of the Blessed Virgin dominates a spring near which Mary is said to have appeared in a hawthorn bush to a shepherd who exclaimed: "aranza zu" or "you in a hawthorn bush!".

Source: Heritage of the Basque Country

Details

n°8965639
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 244 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 245 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 423 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 197 m
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Photos

The three huge white crosses and the steles
The Chapel of Aranzazu (Ainhoa)
Pottok
Chapel of Aranzazu

Description of the walk

Departure from Col de Pinodieta, at the junction of Chemin de Landako Bidea and Chemin d'Urtxotegia: park along the park without obstructing the passage of tractors.

(S/E) Continue straight ahead, passing a sheepfold on the left, then reach and cross the cattle grid, ignoring the two paths branching off to the right.

(1) At the cattle grid, continue to the next junction and take the path on the right towards theGR®10.

(2) Take the path on the left and continue straight ahead until you reach theGR®10. Caution: steep slope!

(3) Follow theGR® to the right.

(4) Pass a cave on the left and continue straight ahead.

(5) Ignore the path on the left and head towards the Chapel of Ainhoa and the Calvary of the Three Crosses.

(6) Turn back.

(5) Continue straight ahead. Pass the cave again.

(3) At the crossroads, keep to theGR®10, keeping to the right.

(7) Turn left to join the uphill path and follow the route in the opposite direction to reach the Col de Piniodeta (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 198 m - Col de Pinodieta (177m)
  2. 1 : km 1.21 - alt. 284 m - Canadian Passage
  3. 2 : km 1.64 - alt. 289 m - Path on the left Steep slope
  4. 3 : km 2.28 - alt. 412 m - Junction with the GR°°®°°10
  5. 4 : km 2.62 - alt. 419 m - Cave on the left
  6. 5 : km 2.9 - alt. 406 m - Branch
  7. 6 : km 3.08 - alt. 388 m - Chapel
  8. 7 : km 4.04 - alt. 412 m - Fork in the road to the left
  9. S/E : km 6.18 - alt. 197 m - Col de Pinodieta (177m)

Notes

There are no water sources along the route!

Good hiking boots and walking poles are recommended as the path is stony.

Also bring the IGN map Ref. 1245OT.

Route mapped using a Twonav Sportiva 2 GPS.

"Warning!!! At this time of year, beautiful red bell-shaped flowers (see photo) may tempt children to pick them. Under no circumstances should they be touched, as they are highly toxic purple foxgloves, including the roots." If the plant has been touched accidentally, wash your hands thoroughly. So be careful with children!

Worth a visit

Pottoks and sheep.

Admire the magnificent view of Ainhoa, La Rhune and Xareta: the Xareta valley is made up of four towns located on either side of the border: Zugarramurdi and Urdazubi-Urdax in Navarre, Sare and Ainhoa in Labourd. Although successive border treaties have sought to draw the division on paper, in reality the boundaries are lost among mountains, green meadows, charming streams and dense forests of beech, oak, chestnut and pine trees. It is therefore not surprising that Xareta means 'wooded valley'.

Disc-shaped steles from the 16th-18th centuries: disc-shaped steles, or hilarri in Basque (hil = death and harri = stone), bear few dates but are decorated with the Basque cross, geometric figures, mainly representing the sun, trades, symbols (Christian, plant, etc.).

Sources: Xareta Ainhoa

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

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Pascal64290
Pascal64290

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike with beautiful views of the village of Ainhoa, La Rhune, the Atlantic Ocean on the horizon and the towns of the Basque coast in the distance. Most of the elevation gain is on a short but steep section of the trail.

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RV6478
RV6478

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike offering access to landscapes that are, as always, magnificent. Pottoks, sheep and... snakes are present along the way for everyone to enjoy. The arrival at the chapel is superb.
The terrain is pleasant and easy, but the very steep section over a few hundred metres requires a good level of fitness. For the descent, bring a good walking stick and suitable footwear. There is little shade, so avoid walking during the hottest part of the day.

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mizel.
mizel.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

done in gloomy weather, which must explain the low turnout.
Nevertheless, there are beautiful landscapes and interesting sights: caves, pidgeon hunting huts, and a calvary.
Easy trail, no particular difficulties.
return via Errebi possible in good weather
Pleasant route.

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Camille C
Camille C

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk

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ganech64
ganech64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great family walk, well-marked trail, suitable for everyone.

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Santiago3164
Santiago3164

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike offering magnificent scenery and a place steeped in spirituality near the chapel. An easy hike but with a nice climb. From the chapel, it is possible to continue the walk around Erebil.

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Visorando member
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