Frain from Lesaka

The starting point for the walk is the car park on Bittiria kallea in the town of Lesaka.
To get there, see the ‘Practical information’ section below.

(S/E) Take the exit from the car park leading onto Bittiria Kalea, then turn left onto Aritxulegi Street (or the NA-4000). Carry on straight ahead. Pass Plaza Zaharra whilst continuing to follow the road. You will then reach Arretxea Kalea and cross over the stream.

(1) At the Stop sign, take the road straight ahead which goes uphill, following the sign for “Irain, eskola publikoa”.
A few metres further on, you’ll pass the public school (eskola publikoa) called Irain (you’re now on Irainbide). Once you reach the electricity substation, turn right onto the concrete track. A red and white mark indicates this change of direction, as you’re now on the^{GR®11-GR®12}Lesaka-Buttitza route.

(2) At the junction, take the left-hand path and follow the various directions indicated by ‘LML’ signs: we have observed on the ground that there are numerous paths not shown on the maps.

(3) Carry on straight ahead.

(4) Take the path on the right.

(5) Leave the path briefly and head right towards a bench to enjoy a lovely view. Retrace your steps and rejoin the route to reach the Frain cross. There are also plenty of picnic tables and benches here.

(6) Carry on straight ahead to the summit of Frain (498 m), which is dotted with numerous antennae. There is also an orientation board helping you to identify the various peaks.

(7) Then begin the descent.

(8) As you go, don’t miss the bicycle sculpture on the left. Further down the descent, you’ll reach a junction; turn right until you come to a sharp bend to the left.

(9) Go straight on, facing ahead. At the next junction, near Egimendia, there are several paths: take the one on the left signposted “LML”. At the next junction, take the path on the right signposted “LML”.

(10) Turn onto the small path on the left, then follow the signposted direction “LML”

(11) Turn right and head towards the road. On the way, you’ll come across a pillar (which may once have supported a cross) and a boundary stone marked ‘est 9’. Follow the road and you’ll pass an old lime kiln. Continue until you reach the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Piedad.

(12) As you go down the steps, cross the road with great care, as visibility is poor. Take the road opposite and continue to the left.

(13) Turn onto the track on the right, this time following the signs marked ‘cycle’.

(14) At the building, keep to the left, following the “cycle” sign. You will then be on a dirt track. At the junction, turn right, continue for a few dozen metres, then take the track on the left marked “cycle”

(15) Leave the track and turn right, following the fence.

(16) At the house, turn left onto a path marked in green and white. Turn right about fifty metres further on, then carry on straight ahead at the next junction, making sure to keep heading in the same direction.

(17) Take care at this change of direction, where you must take the small path on the right. You will then cross the River Larrondoko several times: by fording, over a log, then over a bridge. Follow the river from there; this part of the walk is very pleasant. Further on, join the tarmac road.

(18) Continue in the same direction to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

To get to Lesaka by car.
Cross the border at Behobie. At the roundabout, turn left onto the N121-A towards Pamplona.
Take the exit signposted “Lesaka”. You will then join the NA-1210. Further on, turn right towards the NA-4000 Lesaka/Oiartzun. At the roundabout, take the^second exit towards Lesaka. In the town, due to a no-entry sign, you must keep to the right.
At the Stop sign, turn right and then take the first street on the right (Bittiria kallea); you will then find the car park on your right.
The description of the start of the walk assumes that you have parked in this car park.

For information: from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, it is about a 28 km drive taking 30 minutes.

Note: if this car park is full, there are two other car parks in Lesaka that you can use.
Car park 2: at the Stop sign mentioned in the description, instead of turning right, there is a small car park immediately on the left.
Car park 3: again, at the Stop sign, instead of turning right, turn left. Then, at Plaza Zaharra, turn right onto the road marked with a 20 km/h speed limit (and therefore shared with pedestrians, cyclists, etc.). Continue until you reach a second Stop sign.
At this Stop sign, turn right and the car park is a few metres further on, on the right, on Arretxea Karrika Street, directly opposite the Ikastola (Basque school) called Tantirumairu (which is at number 13 on this street). This would be our favourite car park for this walk, but as it is located near the Ikastola and the state school, it is likely to be full during term time.

Note: the ‘LML’ signs mentioned in the walk description refer to a popular race in Lesaka called the Lesakako Mendi Lasterketa, or LML. In Basque, ‘mendi’ means mountain and ‘lasterketa’ means race.

Take the time to explore a few of Lesaka’s streets.