Urkulu from the Organbide Pass

de fr

A beautiful circular route on grassy slopes between 1,000 and 1,400 m takes you to an exceptional panorama, the ruins and the Roman tower, which rises to 1,423 m. A great moment and a great memory.

GPS essential.

Details

n°13592185
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.87 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 548 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 557 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,417 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 972 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

At the top of Urkulu

Description of the walk

Park your car at the Col d'Organbide at Border Marker 212.

(S/E) Climb the ridge on the grassy slope, heading south-east, then descend south to reach the track. Cross the track, continuing south, then follow the well-marked path to reach theGR®12crossroads.

(1) Turn right and follow the red and white markings. Cross the Ursarioko forest. At the edge of the forest, you will reach a small pass where you will find a fork marked by a trail marker.

(2) Continue westwards to a trail junction, then continue straight ahead towards Azpegiko, taking the ridge trail. Descend to the pass below and cross the road to the west to reach the Azpegiko Pass.

(3) Then climb north-west on the wide path in the middle of the pasture to reach the summit of Urkulu.

(4) Descend northwards across the grassy plateau to the Urkulu huts. Follow the track to the RD428, then turn right onto this road from the Col d'Anostegui. You will then reach the junction with the Anbuladoi track.

(5) Turn right to reach the border again, where there is a chasm.

(6) Cross the border to re-enter Spain. Leave the track on the left on the grassy plateau until you reach a wide grassy path running parallel to the border. This will take you to the Col d'Organbide car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 987 m - Organbide Pass car park
  2. 1 : km 1.87 - alt. 1,031 m - Fork - GR junction
  3. 2 : km 3.43 - alt. 1,042 m - Fork in the road - Borne Trail
  4. 3 : km 4.03 - alt. 1,052 m - Azpegiko Pass
  5. 4 : km 5.93 - alt. 1,416 m - Tour d'Urkulu
  6. 5 : km 8.88 - alt. 1,115 m - Anbuladoi fork
  7. 6 : km 10.18 - alt. 1,143 m - Border fork - Chasm
  8. S/E : km 11.87 - alt. 987 m - Organbide Pass car park

Notes

Between (2) and (3), at the top of the Azpegiko ridge, enjoy a 360° panorama.
The climb is not difficult.
Be careful on the way back, crossing a karst plateau with grassy terrain, holes, sinkholes and even chasms, which can be dangerous in poor visibility.

Worth a visit

Pics d'Orhy, Errozarte, Mendilaz, Leizar Athéka, Hastateguy.

Harpea Cave, created by an anticline fold of different geological layers:
From the Col d'Organbide and Bf 212, follow the road heading south-east for 4 km, then descend the south-east path for 500 m to the majestic cave.

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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.4 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
aqualux13
aqualux13
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The elevation gain is closer to 600 metres...!
Between points 3 and 4, it is best to follow a wide grassy path to the Col d'Arnostegui, then climb directly eastwards to reach the path leading to the summit. It is a little longer, but more pleasant.

Machine-translated

User 3831680

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike.
GPS or very good visibility + good map reading skills are essential to follow the route, as the route indicated often strays from the beaten track.

Machine-translated

BrousseJmd
BrousseJmd

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike with the option of cutting back through accessible, unfenced meadows to avoid the road.

Machine-translated

DomiGentreau
DomiGentreau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with splendid views. A little muddy at the start after leaving the concrete track, but by zigzagging a little you can get through easily. On the third section, after the Leizahandi track, the trail is not easy to follow, so I went down into the small valley as soon as possible to follow a wide grassy track to the Organbide pass.

Machine-translated

Marion VR
Marion VR ★

Hello Catherine, thank you for your feedback. We have just changed the title and specified in the comments that it is possible to visit the Harpea cave.

Machine-translated

Catherine Vigneron
Catherine Vigneron

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The title of this hike is inappropriate. This route does not pass through the Harpea Cave at all! The cave is located on the border, approximately 3.2 kilometres from the start of this hike, in a south-easterly direction as the crow flies.

Machine-translated

gilles-riviere
gilles-riviere

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The place is magical and very rich. It's a shame that the directions are so sketchy, not even mentioning the Urkulu tower and the Harpea cave, even though some sections are marked. Definitely do this with a GPX file.

Machine-translated

Quentin64
Quentin64

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An exceptional hike offering a variety of landscapes: pastures, clearings and streams, forests, and stunning 360° views from the summit of Urkulu.
BEWARE, however, as the route is not marked or signposted after leaving the GR12 trail! In fact, at certain points there is simply no path... This isn't a major problem as it's not difficult, but a GPS is ESSENTIAL (remember to download the maps beforehand!).
Apart from the complicated route, this hike is really worth it! And it is very quiet for hikers who like to be "alone in the world"!

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Urkulu circular loop from the Col d'Orgambidé

Visorando member
Urkulu en boucle depuis le Col d'Orgambidé
↔10.98 km ↗+555 m ↘-554 m ◔4h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Michel (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
We thoroughly enjoyed this route, which I "invented" to change my usual habit of climbing almost straight up through the forest and descending almost the same way. A variety of landscapes and atmospheres are on the menu during this fairly leisurely 3½-hour walk. I have fond memories of passing by the stream and its blue-green pools, surrounded by meadows covered with spring flowers. It's as romantic as you could wish for. In short, you want to take your time here, so those who are keen on sporting achievements should refrain!

Walking The Urkulu Tower

Tourist office
La Tour d'Urkulu
↔3.44 km ↗+214 m ↘-213 m ◔1h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Michel (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
The Urkulu Trophy: this imposing stone tower is thought to have been built in Roman times to intimidate invaders of the powerful Roman army... even though it is located off the route from Bordeaux to Astorga via Pamplona.

Walking The Urculu circular loop from Croix Thibault

Visorando member
L'Urculu en boucle depuis la Croix Thibault
↔10.31 km ↗+530 m ↘-523 m ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Arnéguy (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
The D428 alone offers wonderful scenery. Unless you make frequent stops, you won't be able to enjoy it much as it's best to keep your eyes on the road. The Urculu offers different scenery along this route as you pass through plateaus with magnificent views of the surrounding area and the Basque and Béarn mountains.

Walking L'Iramendy from Estérençuby

Visorando member
L’Iramendy depuis Estérençuby
↔12.85 km ↗+698 m ↘-697 m ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Estérençuby (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
The Iramendy ridge is bristling with poudingue peaks (conglomerate of round pebbles). From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, this gives it the appearance of a dinosaur. Climbing to the summit via this ridge from north to south requires a bit of scrambling (level 2 lower). The proposed hike climbs to the summit via the other ridge. No difficulties other than the total elevation gain and a few steep sections. Magnificent 360° view of the surrounding mountains.

Walking The Azketa huts

Visorando member
↔15.85 km ↗+802 m ↘-802 m ◔6h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Estérençuby (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
From the Nive de Béhérobie in Estérençuby, head up one of its tributaries, the Bihurriko Erreka, to discover the peaceful heights where shepherds and their sheep reign supreme. The Azketa huts are inhabited during the summer grazing season. They shelter beautiful Basque-Béarnaise horned sheep. These pastures are also popular with pottoks, the small Basque horses.

Walking Iraukotuturu and return from the Errekaxaro pass via the Malbei ridges

Visorando member
Iraukotuturu et retour depuis le col d'Errekaxaro par les crêtes Malbei
↔12.89 km ↗+907 m ↘-902 m ◔6h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lecumberry (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
The D'esternguibel valley is a wild site in Lower Navarre. Its steep sides are bristling with ridges and peaks. Iraukotuturu is the highest peak. To reach it, head for the Errékaxaro pass and from there follow a path carved into the rock in places, which was once used for transhumance of sheep.

Walking Saint-Michel-Vierge d'Orisson circular on the old Saint-Jacques route

Visorando member
Boucle Saint-Michel-Vierge d'Orisson sur le chemin vieux de Saint-Jacques
↔21.55 km ↗+920 m ↘-920 m ◔7 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Michel (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A sublime hike along part of the historic Way of St James. The weight of history is on your shoulders, but it feels light as the arrival at the Virgin of Orisson is so beautiful. A long climb on unpaved ground with a steady slope through the summer pastures of the Basque Country does not spoil the pleasure, especially as the path is shaded.

Walking Roncesvalles loop via Burguete

Association / Club / Walk leader
Le tour de Roncesvalles par Burguette
↔11.36 km ↗+237 m ↘-239 m ◔3h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Orreaga/Roncesvalles (Navarre)
A beautiful loop around the hospitable center of Roncesvalles, an important stage in the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.Roncesvalles is called Roncesvalles in Castilian, or Orreaga in Basque. The route passes through the village of Auritz (in Basque) or Burguete (in Castilian).

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.