Basque coast from Guéthary to Saint-Jean-de-Luz

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

Details

29256414
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 138 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 134 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 52 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m

Description of the walk

(S) From the Guétary boat launch, go up the port path and turn right at the hairpin bend onto Chemin de la Falaise. Follow this path which runs alongside the railway tracks.

(1) 50 m before a level crossing, turn right onto Chemin de Cenitz. Go down this road, then walk along the car park and at the end you will find the path that climbs up the cliff (do not follow the cycle path). At the top, you will find the Vélodyssée cycle path. Follow it downhill for about 100 metres.

(2) Leave it and quickly turn right to descend the path to Cenitz Beach. Cross the stream via a footbridge and climb up the other bank to find Chemin de Senix at the top. Follow it and walk along the campsite area at the edge of the Route des Plages.

(3) Descend to the right to join the Chemin de Lafitenia road, walk about 50 metres towards the beach, then turn left onto the path that continues through the woods and along the top of the cliff.

(4) Although marked as a dead end, continue straight ahead to the point.

(5) Enjoy the views of the Basque coast to the north and south. Turn back to the fork.

(4) Turn right onto the path and, at the end, turn right again onto Chemin de la Côte. Descend onto the tarmac road shared with cyclists. You will come out onto Erromardi Beach and go straight up the path of the same name.

(6) At the circular car park, turn right and, at the end of the car park, rejoin the path, which is initially separate but then shared with the cycle path.

(7) 50 metres after the anti-car barrier, turn right towards Croix d'Arxiloa. At the cross, continue left on the path at the top of the cliff, which winds down towards the Sainte-Barbe district.

(8) At the top of Rue de la Pile d'Assiettes, turn right onto Avenue Gaëtan de Bernoville. At the next roundabout, continue straight ahead and join Promenade Féodore Chaliapine. You will find yourself on the seafront promenade that runs alongside the large beach.

(9) Turn left onto Rue Joseph Garat. At the end, turn left onto Boulevard Victor Hugo, then immediately right onto Avenue Labrouche. This will take you to Boulevard du Commandant Passicot. Follow it slightly to the left and use the underpass to reach the Saint-Jean-de-Luz - Ciboure train station (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Gare de Guéthary
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 31 m - Chemin de Cenitz
  3. 2 : km 1.12 - alt. 23 m - Cycle path exit
  4. 3 : km 2.21 - alt. 40 m - Route des Plages exit
  5. 4 : km 3.02 - alt. 40 m - Impasse du Sentier
  6. 5 : km 3.19 - alt. 48 m - Viewpoint
  7. 6 : km 4.56 - alt. 12 m - Circular car park.
  8. 7 : km 5.19 - alt. 43 m - Rue Croix d'Arxiloa
  9. 8 : km 6.1 - alt. 38 m - End of Rue de la Pile d'Assiettes
  10. 9 : km 8.06 - alt. 9 m - Rue Joseph Garat. Close to the - Nivelle (fleuve)
  11. E : km 8.61 - alt. 6 m - Gare de St-Jean-de-Luz-Ciboure

Notes

There are stations near the start (S) and finish (E), which means you don't have to walk back and forth.

Reinforcement of the cliff along the Alcyons pier from December 2022 to the end of January 2023 (according to signs), closing a small section of the coastal path: detour via Chemin de la Falaise.

Several sections are shared with cycle paths, including the Vélodyssée route: please take care to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can share the path safely.

Yellow and/or red and white markings. The continuity of the markings is not obvious.

No vertiginous points.

Worth a visit

In summer, there are numerous beaches along the route where swimming should be pleasant.
Pointe Sainte-Barbe and its park after the (8).
The seaside resort of Saint-Jean-de-Luz with its large beach and shopping streets.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
tupeupa
tupeupa
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Hello,
disappointing hike as there were many sections along the road inside. Magnificent arrival in St Jean

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willlou
willlou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A magnificent hike that allows you to see some of the most beautiful parts of the Basque coastline.
Be careful not to take the wooded path at Lafitenia beach. Stay on the Kokotia path above.
The passage is overgrown with brambles and vegetation, partially collapsed and difficult to navigate.

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Pipelette
Pipelette

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk along the coastline with splendid views. One section is overgrown with vegetation and brambles, making the path less easy to navigate. Otherwise, it's perfect.

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godillot49
godillot49

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very muddy between 3 and 4 at the beginning of spring, it is possible to take the cycle path along the road.

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claudeeveline
claudeeveline

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views but numerous sections of road.
Be careful not to slip on the rocks and stairs.

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DanOll
DanOll

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely views, but many sections shared with cars and bicycles.

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Gerberen
Gerberen

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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classabe
classabe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy route with beautiful views and optional detours to beaches. During rainy periods, there is a very eroded section (between 2 and 3?).

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Joëlle C1.
Joëlle C1.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Given the numerous landslides that have occurred in recent years, the route is often on roads
as the coastal path is no longer passable.
Under these conditions, the appeal of this hike is rather limited.

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Pimpaud
Pimpaud

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Well-marked route, beautiful views of the Basque coast, easy route suitable for all ages.

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jmimi64
jmimi64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It is the same route as the one from Bidart to St Jean de Luz.

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