From Bidart to Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Discover the Basque coast from Bidart, where you can watch the surfers, to the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The route is uneven between the very pleasant coastal path and the detours behind the numerous properties. You can end your visit at the beach in Saint-Jean-de-Luz or relax in the town.

Details

130282
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.97 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 143 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 144 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 51 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
  • ⚐ City: Bidart (64210)
  • ⚑
    Start: N 43.430966° / W 1.598767°
  • ⚑
    End: N 43.386301° / W 1.661284°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1245OT, 1344OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Uhabia beach (on the left of the road when heading back towards Bidart).

(S) Take the path along the beach on the left. Take the stairs and then the road on the right (yellow signposts).

(1) At the entrance to a small car park, turn right and go down towards Parlementia beach. Follow this beach on the left, join the Promenade la Plage and take the stairs on the left.

(2) Turn right, continue along the pier and, once at the end, take the path on the left and join the road (Chemin des Falaises).

(3) Follow the road to the right along the railway line, then turn right at the first junction onto Chemin de Cenitz, which leads to the beach of the same name. Before reaching the beach, cross the car park on the left and take the path that starts at the end of it. At the first junction, go straight ahead, then turn right onto the small road and finally go down the steps on the right that lead to the beach.

(4) Continue straight ahead, staying above the beach, and join a small road (with vehicles parked at an angle). Turn left, go straight ahead at the crossroads, pass a small car park on the right and continue to the "Playa" campsite.

(5) Take a path on the right (ignore the small road also on the right) which leads to a road 50 metres further on. Follow this road to the right, then take the first path on the left which runs alongside Lafitenia Beach. Pass the small car park and continue to the right until you reach the junction with a path coming from the left at a right angle.

(6) Turn left to rejoin the road (Chemin de la Côte). Turn right, continue straight ahead at the crossroads and pass a car park.

(7) At the fork, take the road down to Erromardi beach on the right. Do not go down to the beach, but follow the small road that curves in a U-shape and then runs along the beach as close as possible. At the end of the beach, at a small traffic island, turn right onto the Voie Verte (cycle path) which continues along the ocean.

(8) At the roundabout, turn into the lane on the right. At the end of the lane, take the path on the left and continue for about 600 metres, ignoring all the paths on the left. At a grassy area, turn left to join Rue de la Pile d'Assiette. Follow this street to the crossroads.

(9) Turn right onto Rue Gaetan de Bernoville, take the second exit on the right at the roundabout to pass in front of the Chapelle Sainte-Barbe. Go around the point of the same name (viewpoint) and take the steps on the left down to the Promenade des Rochers in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Follow this promenade along the cliff top (beautiful view of the beach and the town) to the lighthouse that marks the entrance to the port.

From the lighthouse, retrace your steps and head towards the port. Follow the Quai de l'Infante, then turn right to reach the roundabout towards the train station. Turn left onto Boulevard Victor Hugo, then take the second street on the right, Avenue Joachim Labrouche, to reach the bus station, which is just opposite the SNCF train station (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Car park at Uhabia beach in Bidart - Uhabia (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.67 - alt. 37 m - Turn right towards Parlemantia beach
  3. 2 : km 1.14 - alt. 11 m - Turn right towards the pier
  4. 3 : km 1.71 - alt. 28 m - Chemin des Falaises, turn right
  5. 4 : km 2.72 - alt. 6 m - Cenitz beach, continue straight ahead
  6. 5 : km 3.72 - alt. 41 m - Camping "Playa", turn right
  7. 6 : km 4.56 - alt. 41 m - At the intersection, turn left
  8. 7 : km 4.93 - alt. 23 m - Forche, turn right towards Erromardi beach
  9. 8 : km 6.35 - alt. 43 m - At the roundabout, turn right
  10. 9 : km 7.25 - alt. 38 m - At the crossroads, turn right
  11. E : km 10.97 - alt. 5 m - Car park at Uhabia beach in Bidart

Notes

There are numerous water points, shelters and refreshment facilities along the coast. Bring your swimsuit, as there are many opportunities for swimming.

(7) At the end of Erromardi beach, the coastal path is closed due to erosion. You must use the Voie Verte, as described above.

(E) A bus service is available to return to Bidart to retrieve your car.

Worth a visit

Visit the port and town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 44 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
skimeur
skimeur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A stunning trail with breathtaking views – I highly recommend it.

Machine-translated

jeannotca74@gmail.com
jeannotca74@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike
We encountered a problem along the way, as part of the route was closed but this was not indicated, so we had to make our way through the vegetation and brambles between bridges 7 and 8

Machine-translated

User 1161971

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, the first part of the route is very pleasant. Then it follows a section of path that has clearly been maintained for several years along the coast, and it becomes very challenging to pass along the outside or sides (hiking shorts are definitely not recommended!) Part of the route is closed due to rockfalls along the cliff, via the greenway, which is mostly unshaded. The arrival in St Jean de Luz is very beautiful. In summary: frustrating due to the heavy presence of tarmac on the route, but a beautiful hike overall. Best done early in the day in summer.

Machine-translated

stephan vallat
stephan vallat

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A lovely walk that allows you to see the coast. It's true that there have been quite a few landslides, so you do have to walk on tarmac for quite a bit, but the walk is still enjoyable with lots of nice little restaurants

Machine-translated

mikelitos
mikelitos

thanks for letting us know. Please feel free to share any changes due to landslides so we can update the information.

Machine-translated

Manu40Rando
Manu40Rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Virtually deserted when I walked it. The coastal path runs alongside the Atlantic and passes through several villages. Following landslides caused by coastal erosion, diversions and new routes have been created, which do not detract from the charm of this walk.

Machine-translated

marc.vericel@wanadoo.fr oui
marc.vericel@wanadoo.fr oui

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk

Machine-translated

kalou26
kalou26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Machine-translated

Eric64-40
Eric64-40

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really nice, easy route with magnificent views. The path follows small paved roads, but there aren't many cars at this time of year. However, be careful around Cenix beach, where the route is impassable: there are barriers, but they had been torn down and left on the ground when we passed (landslides, path disappeared), so you have to take the road above. A little further on, it's the same, but a large sign warns of the problem and you can follow the cycle path. But it's still a walk worth doing.

Machine-translated

souchez
souchez

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Fortunately, the arrival in Saint Jean-de-Luz is worth the detour, otherwise there is too much tarmac for my liking.

Machine-translated

fred42
fred42

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a very nice walk with beautiful views of the ocean. The arrival in Saint-Jean-de-Luz is magnificent... no notable difficulties.
a beautiful ride

Machine-translated

rtaji
rtaji

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
A very nice walk along the coast that ends with a pleasant visit to Saint Jean de Luz. I highly recommend it. Allow five hours, including a lunch break.
We got lost on stage 5 but found our way back easily with the hiking signs, which were a little hidden by the vegetation.

After Lafitenia beach, you will arrive at a small car park. Leave the car park on your left and continue along the path on the right.

Stage 5 has two areas with landslides (April 2023), so please be careful.

Enjoy your walk!

Machine-translated

Ratounet
Ratounet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice route despite detours due to landslides. The coast is beautiful and we discovered some splendid houses. Worth doing 👍

Machine-translated

randofossat
randofossat

Hello,
Your reply doesn't change my comment much. I read the other comments before going on a hike, but they don't always reflect the map and description. I still think this route was disappointing, but don't worry, it's not your fault. You never know for sure where you're going when you choose a route. And as for the rockfalls, we assumed that the paths would have been repaired or rebuilt by now. It's not a big deal, the main thing is to take the initiative to go hiking. Just to clarify, I was with a group of 24 walkers and everyone agreed that it was disappointing. Sorry I don't share your opinion, but no hard feelings.
Enjoy your future walks.

Machine-translated

mikelitos
mikelitos

Hello randofossat,
I'm replying to the comment I made in August 2021:

Your comment bothers me a little because, in general, when choosing a hike, we look carefully at previous comments and, above all, the description and route. If you look closely at the route, you will see that urbanisation has left little room for the trail and that if you want to walk along the sea, you have to walk a long way on the road. You just need to know how to read the map.
It's a shame because it distorts the rating for future hikers

Enjoy your hike.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.