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We park on Burdin Bidea Street, which takes us through part of Ascain to reach our hike, thus combining business with pleasure. However, there is a very convenient car park on our route, near the Arraioa road bridge.
(S/E) Walk down Burdin Bidea Street and turn right at the beautifully restored wash house, towards the town centre and the church. Turn left onto Etxexoria Road, then right onto Pierre Loti Street. Cross the main street and take Zerbitzari Street, which continues onto Arraioa Street where, before the small bridge, there is a large car park. Continue along this same street, which climbs up to the crossroads where you will find the Arraioa farm opposite.
(1) The Arraioa farm is a rural lodge and sells local products, including duck confit and other heavenly delicacies. Turn right, then take Chemin de Biranda on the left, which climbs steeply towards the south-east.
(2) At the end of the paved road, after passing a beautifully situated house in a dominant position, continue along the path and go through an iron gate on the left, where a sign asks you to close it behind you.
Then simply follow the path as it continues to climb, first on dirt under chestnut trees, then on rocks and finally on grass in the heathland and gorse on the slopes of Esnaur. At an elevation of 210 metres, after a right-hand bend, you will come to a fork: take the right-hand path to continue climbing and reach the summit.
(3) L'Esnaur, from where you can enjoy a magnificent 360-degree panorama of Ascain, Saint-Jean de Luz, La Rhune, Saint-Ignace, all the hills overlooking Itxassou, Cambo-les-Bains, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, Biarritz, etc.
With a little patience and keen observation, you can also find the remains of a redoubt (one of many built in this region by Marshal Soult's troops). To the south is the path that descends steeply towards the Nausienborda farm.
(4) Walk along the farm buildings and you will reach a section of tarmac road that descends towards the Col de Saint-Ignace road. Follow it to the crossroads.
(5) At this crossroads, where there is a car park for hikers and the starting point for trails leading to redoubts and Zuhalmendi, among other places, turn left and descend the tarmac road that will take you to the bottom of the Arraioko Erreka valley.
(6) At the end of this stretch of road, a gate leads to a picnic area that is very popular with families on summer weekends and to a hunting lodge. Cross this pleasantly landscaped area and take the path that follows the stream. You will soon come across chestnut trees. The most productive trees, which produce the finest chestnuts, are found in the second half of the valley. Chestnut lovers will have to compete with the few horses that graze freely here, as they are also very fond of chestnuts! All along this pretty valley, you can enjoy the proximity and the chirping of the pretty Arraioko Erreka stream.
(7) For us, the charm ends at the ford where the track crosses, allowing other hikers to access Bizkartzun, the quintoa pig farms and Zuhalmendi, among other places.
Take the path on the left, which crosses a cattle grid and leads to the road where you will find the entrance to the Araioa farm. Walk down Arraioa Street and retrace your steps to return to the car park (S/E).
Very nice walk (parish specific to Brittany)
Association / Club / Walk leader
Moderate 
Visorando member
Local authority
Difficult 
