Iparla from Bidarray via the Col de Lacho

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A very pleasant and original route to reach Iparla from Bidarray. The path up to the Col de Lacho is rarely used and quite wild. Splendid views. A real treat!

Details

n°3760532
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.49 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,944 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,960 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,425 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 433 ft
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Photos

Iparla
Vultures high on the ridges
Part of the Iparla ridges
Panoramic view of the peaks of Béarn and Spain

Description of the walk

Start from the car park at the Bidarray fronton.

(S/E) From the fronton, continue along the road for about 200 m until you reach the junction with theGR®10(very well signposted).

(1) Start the climb up to the first junction.

(2) Leave theGR®10(red and white markings), which continues to the left, and take the yellow-marked path to the right.
Continue along this path. It is impossible to go wrong; the yellow markings are clear and there are no junctions. Reach the Col de Lacho.

(3) At the Col de Lacho, do not head towards the abandoned sheepfolds but take the path slightly to the right which climbs towards the ridges to rejoin theGR®10.

(4) Take theGR®10and follow the ridge line to the right. Continue to the Pic d’Iparla.

(5) At the Pic d’Iparla, continue along theGR®10until the start of the descent towards Baïgorry.

(6) The return journey follows the route in the opposite direction back to the fronton (S/E)

(E) Back at the fronton.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 469 ft - Bidarray Fronton
  2. 1 : mi 0.13 - alt. 459 ft - Road and GR10
  3. 2 : mi 0.58 - alt. 489 ft - End of the GR10. Yellow-marked trail to the left
  4. 3 : mi 2.51 - alt. 1,778 ft - Col de Lacho
  5. 4 : mi 2.78 - alt. 2,113 ft - To the right. PR. Yellow markings
  6. 5 : mi 3.4 - alt. 1,755 ft - Junction with the GR10 ridge route
  7. 6 : mi 5.35 - alt. 3,406 ft - Pic d'Iparla
  8. 7 : mi 5.75 - alt. 3,406 ft - Start of the descent towards Baïgorry. Turn back
  9. S/E : mi 11.49 - alt. 469 ft - Bidarray Fronton

Notes

  • There is no drinking water along the route and no shelter.
  • Strongly not recommended if the ground is wet (risk of slipping).
  • The ascent via the yellow-marked trail presents no particular difficulties. The slope is quite steep on the final section leading up to the Col de Lacho.
  • The yellow-marked trail is in the shade in the morning. In the afternoon, it is in full sun, but a few sections through the undergrowth offer pleasant breaks.
  • For those wishing to descend to Baïgorry, allow around 6 hours’ walking.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
J2M
J2M

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The weather wasn’t completely clear, but I think that’s actually better for the climb.
In very hot weather, it might be a bit too exposed.
A very pleasant hike with a spot of pottocks.
Artzamendy was veiled at the start but cleared up afterwards
Picnic at the Col de Laxo, under a clear sky with views of the coast and surrounding peaks.
Climb towards the peak but cloud cover approaching.
We finished in the mist at the top of Iparla.
Return to the Col de Laxo then descent towards Bidarray following the yellow-marked route (joining the GR10)

Very enjoyable, worth doing again on a sunny day but not in the heat.

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Amorgin
Amorgin

Hello. You’re absolutely right about the duration. I couldn’t change anything because the website software had calculated it automatically. To be honest, I’d put 5 hours and 45 minutes.

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Bruno Reymond
Bruno Reymond

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. Really enjoyable with some beautiful scenery.
However, the stated duration of 8 hours 35 minutes is really an exaggeration. The circular route to the Pic d’Iparla is closer to 5–6 hours, including breaks, than 8 hours 35 minutes.

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xiberotarra
xiberotarra

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route enjoyed in the glorious sunshine on Monday 31 May. The climb up to the Col de Lacho is indeed gentle, and you join the GR10 on almost level ground. As for the ridges and the Pic d’Iparla, which I’ve encountered on other Visorando walks, their charm remains unrivalled and unmatched. However, for the descent, I opted for the GR10 even after point 5 (the junction between the PR and GR). Two advantages, in my opinion: it makes for a lovely circular route and shortens the descent slightly.
Please note, as mentioned in the description, there are no water sources and in hot weather like today, one and a half litres was a bit tight.
Thanks to Amorgin for this lovely walk!

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Danaso
Danaso

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
We tackled the route by starting straight away with the climb up to the ridge of the three ‘peaks’, including the highest, Iparla (1,044 m), then the middle one and finally Iparla Sud (GR10). This climb is quite difficult; we made our way back via the Col de Lacho, and on this route the slope is less steep.
The scenery is magnificent and the effort involved is more than rewarded by the views.

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