In Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, take the D 301 road to Saint-Michel and Esterençuby. Just before the latter, turn left and head towards Esterenguibel. Pass Ezpelchilo and arrive at a bridge over the Intzarraguyko erreka. Park at the entrance to a wood, at an altitude of around 400 m. There are a few parking spaces.
(S/E) Continue straight ahead on the right bank on the track that begins to climb. After two hairpin bends in the forest, you will reach an open area. The path continues to climb in several hairpin bends. You will arrive at the edge of the forest at an altitude of 644.
(1) Take the track on the right-hand side (south-west) and enter the forest, emerging 500 m further on at an altitude of around 700 m.
(2) The path follows a contour line and re-enters the forest after 200 m. At an altitude of around 720 m, you will come to a series of sheepfolds.
(3) The path continues in several successive circular loops southwards to the Col Errékaxaro.
(4) Cross the pass by squeezing through a gap between the rocks, first heading southwest and then southeast to the Col d'Irau pass. There is no need to join the road; just before the first building, turn right.
(5) Climb the grassy slope towards the north-west. There are no markings. The slope is not too difficult, but you will sometimes have to go around rocks. You will reach the first summit of Irau, the highest but easiest at 1,052 metres.
(6) It is possible to make a circular route by following the ridge that heads northwest via steep and vertiginous paths.
The hike I suggest will take place after a short rest, returning by the same route.
(4) At the Col d'Errekaxaro, a path on the right allows us to stay on the ridge on an easy trail that gives us the opportunity to admire a vast landscape to the north-east. Reach the 869 m point
(7) Continue descending gently along the ridge to reach the altitude of 844.
(8) Go around it on the left to reach a crossroads at around 830 m.
(9) Go straight ahead. The path climbs slightly to the hill at an altitude of 852 m towards the north-east.
(10) Continue downhill along the ridge, which slopes north-west between two woods and arrives at a final hill at around 730 m.
(11) Turn left heading due south and follow two hairpin bends to return to the fork in the path you took on the way up.
(1) Follow the track in the opposite direction to (S/E).
