The Atxuria from the Col d'Urbia via the Col des Trois Bornes

The starting point for this hike is at the Col d'Urbia near Zugarramurdi.
To reach this starting point by car, see the ‘Practical Information’ section below.

(S/E) From there, head towards the signpost and follow the signs for Airagarri. You will soon come to a property surrounded by stone walls. Go round it on the right, keeping close to the wall, then where the path climbs, follow a track that branches off to the right.

(1) You will come to the Ibañeta cromlechs (between boundary marker 101 and boundary marker 102, there is a group of 14 cromlechs and 2 tumuli). A few metres further on, you will reach the Ibañeta Pass and continue by taking the path veering slightly to the right.

(2) The path becomes a little difficult to follow further up: you must go to the right of a fairly large rock and then head left. Then continue along the mountainside. Now climb towards a large cairn.

(3) You will reach a pass. Climb to the summit by heading right from this point. In fact, the path is much easier to follow on the way back, as there are numerous yellow markings, which are unfortunately invisible on the way up. Furthermore, there are several peaks in succession, but these are not the summit you need to reach: it is therefore advisable not to climb too high straight away. Head to the right and, fairly quickly, you’ll find a paved path. Follow this path through the rocks. It’s important to keep the route map with you, so you don’t stray too far if you’re unsure. The final climb is still a bit steep.
You’ll reach the summit of Atxuria at 758 metres, recognisable by the very large cairn (and there’s also its name written on a stone).

(4) Return to the pass by following the same path, this time using the yellow markings to guide you.

(3) Following the yellow markings, take the path that descends to the right.

(5) Continue straight on at the junction.

(6) You will reach boundary marker number 57. Note that next to it is another marker with a groove on the top. The groove indicates the direction of the border and of the previous or next marker. Continue on. You will reach the three markers which, as the name suggests, consist of three boundary markers standing side by side, all bearing the number 56. The third one is badly damaged.

(7) A few metres further on is the Col des Trois Bornes. Turn sharply left onto a very wide path.

(8) Take the path on the left at the junction.

(9) At the Fork in the road, do not take the wide path on the right leading to a closed gate and therefore onto private property. Take the small path on the left through the ferns.

(10) At the signpost, turn right following the sign for "Sorohaudi PR®-NA90".

(11) You’ll find yourself in a very pretty spot by the river. Head right, following the sign for Urbia on the post. You’ll reach a junction.

(12) Continue straight on, still following the signs for Urbia. Further on, you’ll come out onto a wide track that quickly leads to the Col d’Urbia (S/E).

To reach the start of the hike by car, head to the church in Zugarramurdi. Take the road to the right of the church. After 100 metres, turn left onto a concrete road that climbs very steeply towards Etxalar. Follow this road to the pass, which is the Col d’Urbia. It is easily spotted by the large stone marker on the left-hand side of the road indicating the entrance to Xareta, that is, the group of four villages in the Northern and Southern Basque Country. For your information: from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the journey by car is approximately 25 kilometres but takes 40 minutes.

For information, the rating established by the French Hiking Federation (FFR) is as follows: IBP = 51, length = 8.4 kilometres and elevation gain = 463 metres. (These figures may differ from those given by Visorando; in this case, always use the higher figures to get an idea of the difficulty of the hike).