Erregelu from Bixintxo Chapel

A circular walk of moderate difficulty to the top of the Baigura massif, starting from Bixintxo Chapel.

Details

n°25308090

Creation:
12 Aug 2022

Last update:
26 May 2025

Last review:
25 May 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.61 mi
Average duration: 5h 10
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 2,402 ft
Descent: - 2,395 ft
Highest point: 2,838 ft
Lowest point: 942 ft

Country: France
Areas: Pyrenees, Basque Country
City: Hélette (64640)
Start/End: N 43.302413° / W 1.260007°
IGN map(s): Ref. 1345OT
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Description of the walk

Start from Bixintxo Chapel (Saint-Vincent) in Hélette (30 km from Bayonne). Head for the Herauritz district without entering the village.

Correction dated 25/05/2025: It is advisable to park near the D119 as it is no longer possible to park at the chapel.

The route has been re-marked with yellow posts.

(S/E) Set off due south along the signposted path.

(1) Join the path and follow it westwards, with the summit as your landmark. Reach the Col d’Arozki.

(2) You’ll reach the picnic tables and the orientation board, which offers a beautiful view to the west.
Continue left towards the south and south-west until you reach a fork at around 630 m.

(3) Turn onto the ridge heading due north-west towards the summit of Erregelu at an altitudeof 846 (a stunning 360° view).

(4) Continue due west for 150 m and descend northwards down a steep slope leading to the rocks in the forest.
There is the option of a round trip to Mont Baïgura to the south-west.

(5) Continue descending north, then north-east down the paragliding training slope to reach a crossroads at elevation 501.

(6) Turn south-east to take the nature trail as far as the fork at elevation 523.

(7) Keep left as you descend and head for the sheepfold.

(8) Continue due south uphill until you reach another fork.

(9) Head due south uphill to join a path on the left, which will take you back to the picnic tables you passed on the way there.

(2) Head down the same route you took on the way there to reach Bixintxo Chapel (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 942 ft - Bixintxo Chapel (Saint-Vincent)
1 : mi 0.66 - alt. 1,526 ft - Path
2 : mi 1.42 - alt. 1,959 ft - Picnic tables
3 : mi 1.82 - alt. 2,090 ft - Due north-west
4 : mi 2.74 - alt. 2,838 ft - Summit - Erregelu
5 : mi 3.05 - alt. 2,405 ft - Rocks and woodland
6 : mi 3.59 - alt. 1,640 ft - Crossroads
7 : mi 4.02 - alt. 1,706 ft - Towards the sheepfold. Shortly after the - Joyeuse (rivère)
8 : mi 4.28 - alt. 1,539 ft - Sheepfold
9 : mi 4.64 - alt. 1,706 ft - Due south
S/E : mi 6.61 - alt. 942 ft - Bixintxo Chapel (Saint-Vincent)

Notes

(S/E) Near the chapel. Water available: top up your water supply, as there will be no other drinking water points (only natural springs).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

AIHERRA

25 May 2025 at 07:28 7200

Hello,
I’m glad you enjoyed the walk. It’s true that it’s now very difficult to park near the chapel. You’ll need to park near the county road. I’ve updated the description accordingly.
Enjoy your walks!

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David, Sophie et Ulysse 🐕

24 May 2025 at 22:06 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s a very pleasant walk. On 24 May 2025, we were treated to the sight of foals in this enchanting setting. The difficulty is very relative. It’s a reasonable climb, and in any case there are no treacherous rocky sections. There’s even a long stretch of grassy path on the first ascent, with the ground quite ‘trodden down’. The view is superb.
To help you: After the picnic area, turn left and follow the path all the way to the top. At the summit, by the mast, head straight down, ignoring the hill on the left (paragliding spot), but descend through the grass – there’s no path or signposting – until you come to a dirt track which will take you round the hill you’re descending from, on the right-hand side. Be careful, it’s windy… which is what the paragliders make the most of… At the large sheepfold below, at the crossroads, head up to the right and follow the path until you return to the picnic table. The animals are peaceful, including the cows during the calving season (May–June). As for parking, don’t bother with the instructions. You won’t be able to park anywhere other than further down the hill, given the posts put up by the local council on the edge of La Chapelle. It’s absolutely impossible. Instead, park opposite the garage on the departmental road – it’s a 1km drive on tarmac, but it’s well worth it, as it’s a very lovely walk.

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Vincent Lafori

03 Feb 2025 at 08:28 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, suitable for everyone

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Bientzat

23 Sep 2024 at 19:10 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route we took this Monday, 23 September 2024, with a friend under threatening skies.
We pushed on to the summit of Baïgura.
Stunning 360° views and vultures in sight.
I’d just like to point out that parking spaces near the chapel are very limited on the verges of the path, as the shaded area in front of the chapel is now protected by recently installed posts and the ground is being replanted with vegetation.

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