La Rhune from Olhette

A beautiful route to discover La Rhune in all its glory.

Details

83736
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 815 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 811 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 899 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 94 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts from the car park at the end of the Xurien-Borda path.

(S/E) As you leave the car park, on your left, a small bridge takes you to the path on the other side of the stream.

(1) Shortly after, you will come to a gate on the path. Go through it and remember to close it behind you. The path (GR®®10) climbs for about 30 minutes until you reach a plateau at the crossroads of several paths called "Deskargako Lepoa".

(2) Take the path opposite you (leaving theGR®®10on your right), with a sheep pen under the trees on your right. Climb up, following the small white YA symbols, which will take you to the Yasola Inn 15 minutes later.

(3). Take the steep slope to the left of the inn; this passage is very steep and slippery.
You will walk along a wood on a small plateau. Take the time to turn around and enjoy the view.

(4) Take the path on the left that runs alongside the Petite Rhune and you will pass some sculptures on the rocks. At the end of the small copse, turn right towards the border marker.

(5) You will then come to the Spanish trail that comes from Bera. Turn left and continue climbing to the summit of La Rhune.

(6) After a short rest, descend the other side. Cross the rack railway and descend, following the arrows marked on the rocks.
You will also find yellow markings. Be very careful on the descent as there are many rocks.

(7) You will arrive at a small wood (Trois Fontaines).
Take the path on your left to rejoin theGR®®10. A long 45-minute descent will take you directly back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 96 m - Parking at the end of the Xurien-Borda road.
  2. 1 : km 0.13 - alt. 104 m - Go through the gate.
  3. 2 : km 1.77 - alt. 273 m - Take the path in front of you. - Col de Deskargako Lepoa (272 m)
  4. 3 : km 2.39 - alt. 399 m - Take the steep slope to the left of the hostel.
  5. 4 : km 3.01 - alt. 549 m - Path on the left that runs alongside - Petite Rhune (699 m)
  6. 5 : km 4.07 - alt. 674 m - Col de Zizcuitz
  7. 6 : km 5.64 - alt. 899 m - La Rhune
  8. 7 : km 7.16 - alt. 567 m - Small wood (Three fountains)
  9. S/E : km 10.32 - alt. 96 m - Car park at the start

Notes

Yasola Inn halfway along the route for shelter and refreshments.
Be careful on the descent, as there are many rocks.
Rain gear and warm clothing are recommended.
Panorama camera.
Passage through Spain.

Worth a visit

360° panorama of France and Spain.
Breathtaking view of the Basque Coast and southern Landes in good weather.
Typical Basque village of Ascain.
Les Ventas d'Ibardin.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 86 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
g70
g70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A classic route, tackled in slightly overcast, cool, windy weather. We set off a bit late (11.00 am) and, even though the weather wasn’t great, the car park at the start was full, so we parked in Trabenia.

Make sure you pace yourself at the start of the climb so you can tackle the slope after the Trabenia pass in good condition.
We had lunch at the summit in a restaurant to shelter from the cold wind (wind chill close to 0°C).

A hike enjoyed with undiminished pleasure!

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User 27519674

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The directions are perfect. The landscapes are varied, as are the terrains (rock, earth, grass). We see lots of animals, including pottocks, eagles and even ibex.
The advantage of this route to La Rhune is that it is a loop. As stated, it takes 5 hours without rushing and is difficult (quite a tough climb).

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berlas
berlas

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with few people on the way there

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User 17878350

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We set off from the car park and followed the GR10 trail.
It was a very beautiful hike, despite having to turn back at the Yasola inn on the way up. The path was impassable due to brambles (++) and ferns over a large part of the climb just after the inn.
The start of the hike had been recently cleared, so maybe that's in the works..
A little disappointed, but we'll be back!

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GUILLUY
GUILLUY

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The walk was more difficult than expected.
We chose to start from the Olhette car park and follow the GR 10, passing through Venta Yasola, which was a tough climb up to La Rhune.
The descent on the other side followed the railway line, with lots of rocks but a much nicer landscape.
This side seems much easier to climb if you choose to use it for the ascent.

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jpcouvy
jpcouvy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

I've already done this walk in summer, but the advantage in winter is that there are fewer people on this route. What's more, the route on the Spanish side (concrete road) is more pleasant in winter (less exposed to the summer heat) and, weather permitting, gives you a view of the snow-covered Pyrenees!

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Luc PARLIER
Luc PARLIER

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route that reminded me just how beautiful the Pyrenees are. Be careful to take the left-hand path at the "Venta". It only took me 3 hours to complete the loop, walking briskly but not running... Magnificent views, a real treat.

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eric bourdon
eric bourdon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty walk, far from the congested route that most tourists take during the school holidays. Contrary to what I've read, this isn't a short walk and it's better to be well equipped, especially after a rainy period (shoes and poles),

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niramed
niramed

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike with a magnificent view of the Basque country and La Rhune from the Spanish side.
Done in trail mode, the part just after YASOLA is quite steep and slippery in wet weather.

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herve40320
herve40320

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

nice trip

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Mamas49
Mamas49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice little walk

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Charlesb78
Charlesb78

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk with no difficulties. The timetable is very generous. Lots of people on the way down.

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Lolo0174
Lolo0174
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike that we did in the opposite direction! In my opinion, the route is easier in this direction. We had booked lunch at Venta Yasola for 2pm. We were lucky to find space in the car park as it quickly filled up. We left around 10.30am and arrived at the top of the Rhune around 12.15pm. After a 20-minute break for photos and drinks, we headed back down towards Venta Yasola. In total it took us 4 hours 15 minutes, and we didn't go at a crazy pace! My 17-year-old daughter and my wife hate descents and don't go very fast... I'd advise you to do this tour in the opposite direction because if you eat at Venta Yasola, it'll be hard to leave after this good meal. Nice hike with no real difficulties. Be sure to follow the Visorando itinerary as you can quickly stray from the track. When the weather's right, the 360-degree view is magnificent.

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TonyOX
TonyOX

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The ascent was done at night, to see the sunrise from the summit of La Rhune.
Not an easy route to follow at night as the vegetation sometimes obscures the path. Fortunately, the precision of the Visorando GPS helped me out of this predicament
Nice route.

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pitxun64
pitxun64

Hello, I do this hike several times a year and only take the side roads.
But otherwise the access is relatively well signposted.
Enjoy the walk.

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