Ciboure walks

An urban walk along the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz / Ciboure, offering superb views of the bay and the breakwaters protecting the two towns. Along the way, you’ll pass some of Ciboure’s most iconic spots, ending at Vauban’s Fort.

A family walk along the Nivelle, the fishing port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the marina and the beach at Ciboure, the oceanfront, the beach, the port and the Fort de Socoa. What's more, if you get hungry or thirsty, no problem, everything you need is available along the way.

It is a short, family-friendly walk, with no difficulty at all. The Untxin is a small river that flows into the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure. With a bit of luck, you may spot fish and birds in the mudflats (ducks, seagulls, snipes, egrets, etc.)

The old coastal path along the Basque coastline from Ciboure to Hendaye is permanently closed to pedestrians due to coastal erosion and numerous landslides.A new path, further inland, has been temporarily proposed by the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Department. This is the route described here. (!) Comment from a user on 30 August 2025 >Hello, access to this route is now prohibited between SOCOA point (1) and the corniche house point (8) by prefectural decree. Could you please note this restriction, as I have informed and discouraged hikers who were venturing onto this section.nOTE: The comment dated 25 July 2025 is the subject of this proposal, but the signs had not yet been put up.FFRando64. GR®8 coastlineexplanatory pdf from FFRando 64

A cycle ride or mountain bike ride from Socoa to Guéthary, via Ciboure and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. A few gentle hills, but entirely accessible and suitable for families.

Did you know that a tramway used to run through the hinterland from the coast (Hendaye, Ciboure) to Sare via Ascain? That was before the car became popular in 1936. This hike takes you along its route, based on available archives. The landscape has preserved the memory of this journey, which you can discover during this excursion under the watchful eye of Mont Esnaur.

Climb to the summit of Ciboure Mountain to discover the Basque Coast via the Insola forest.

This hike will take you up to the Petite Rhune (or even the Rhune for the more adventurous) via a route that is rarely used in places. It is classified as difficult not because of its length or elevation gain, but because of the potential difficulty in finding your way (the Visorando app is recommended) in certain sections and due to the steep, sustained gradient on the climb to Subizia (which can be avoided by going via Venta Yasola).

A lovely walk passing through the ventas, through the forest to Ibardin, then, on the way back, amongst the ferns with lovely views of the mountains and the sea.

Whether you are a regular or occasional hiker, the hike to the summit of La Rhune is a must, as this peak is omnipresent in the Labourd landscape. A real challenge for some, a breath of fresh air for others, La Rhune is a magnet that attracts walkers and trail runners, climbing up all its slopes. The steep and rocky trails require suitable equipment, so sandals can stay in your beach bag and be used on the way back from your walk. If the sky is clear, the panorama offered by this summit, with its foundations in the ocean, is vast, stretching from the beaches of the Landes to the first peaks of the Pyrenees.

A hike in the heart of nature, with views of either the sea or the mountains, but also offering the chance to discover dolmens and a fortified camp dating back to Napoleon.

These are three peaks, Bizkartzun, Zuhalmundi and Esnaur, clearly visible from Saint-Jean-de-Luz and located behind Ascain. Emblematic of the nearby hinterland, they each offer a superb 360° view of the coast, the Rhune and the Pyrenees further east. This route takes you up these peaks one after the other on an easy trail with steep sections, flat sections, scree, a bit of tarmac and dirt tracks, all in a stunning setting.

The view from the top is magnificent, both to the south towards the surrounding peaks and to the north towards the coast.

Lake Ibardin with a detour that has become mandatory since crossing the dam is no longer permitted.We therefore descend along the left bank of the stream to complete a true circular loop.

A lovely stage with a seaside feel and the end of the journey in sight.

La Rhune, the legendary mountain of the Basque Country, is never really easy to climb.This hike via the central ridge and the chimney is certainly one of the most difficult ways to reach the summit. The descent via Petite Rhune and Subizia is also difficult.Despite this, this hike is worth doing once because it takes you off the beaten track. You won't meet many people. The path is varied and the views are splendid.

This is a short walk we did in October to discover the Esnaur and then gather some chestnuts along the pretty Arraioko Erreka stream.

A beautiful route to discover La Rhune in all its glory.

A short detour takes you past the bottom of Esnaur, then Suhalmendi and finally up Bizkarzun, two peaks in Ascain dominated by the Rhune.

La Petite Rhune, passing by the Yasola venta, offers an unusual view of La Rhune. Follow this trail towards the Col de Kizkuitz to discover an unusual feature of the Rhune massif. The return to the Col des Trois Fontaines will allow you to seek out the little secrets of the Ihizelai rocky plateau.

A double loop around Bizkartzun allows you to discover this often overlooked waterfall.

This hike passes by a Basque pig farm, which produces Kintoa charcuterie and cured meats. Mount Esnaur offers a beautiful view of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ascain.

Although the highest point is “only” 180 m above sea level, this is a lovely walk through the countryside, often alongside streams, with a beautiful waterfall to discover.

A family hike through the forest, starting from the beautiful village of Ascain and ending at the Col de Saint-Ignace, a place famous for cyclists, but also because it is the starting point of the little rack railway that takes you up to La Rhune. This pass is very busy in summer.

This hike takes you up the Suhalmendi for a magnificent 360° view of the Pyrenees and the ocean. You'll also discover the Basque pig that makes such delicious hams and other charcuterie. There's also a nice little picnic area where you can enjoy your picnic.

This beautiful loop, which takes you from the bottom of the valley to the peaks of Suhalmendi and Esnaur via the Basque pig trail, will allow you to discover many facets of the Basque Country.

This is a very easy hike that starts at the foot of the Col d'Ibardin next to the old customs house, climbs up to the pass and descends on the side facing the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. It is called the Sentier des Mulets (Mule Trail) in reference to the convoys of mules that once criss-crossed the mountain to carry all kinds of goods, not necessarily declared at customs, across the border. For the record, Pierre Loti's novel Ramuntcho, written in Ascain, recounts these stories of smugglers.

A circular walk that climbs from the old customs house and passes via the two headlands of Oneaga and Mokoa. An easy family walk.

A round trip along the coast from Cenitz beach in Guéthary to Centre beach in Bidart, via Guéthary harbour, Parlementia beach and Uhabia beach.

A beautiful loop that climbs up to Xoldoko Gaina, then descends to the Col d'Osin (Osingo Lepoa), passes through the Col des Poiriers (Pitare), an area rich in monoliths, and returns along the side of Xoldo, skirting the lake.

La Rhune in a wide loop below Miramar. A little-used path to the Col des Trois Fontaines. A little longer, but easy and with much better views.

An original route to the summit of Larun Txiki (the Little Rhune), allowing you to discover little-known spots in the Rhune massif. However, this is a fairly demanding hike, suitable for experienced or moderate walkers, as there is still a climb of around 700 metres. Please note: there is a more difficult but optionalsection between (2) and (13)

Short circular on the slopes of La Rhune to the Col des Trois Fontaines. You can go a few steps further to discover the cromlechs.

This hike will take you to one of the first peaks in the Pyrenees, offering views of the entire French and Spanish Basque Country.

A short hike along the most pleasant part of the Basque coastal path.