La Rhune via the central ridge with return via Petite Rhune

La Rhune, the legendary mountain of the Basque Country, is never really easy to climb.
This hike via the central ridge and the chimney is certainly one of the most difficult ways to reach the summit. The descent via Petite Rhune and Subizia is also difficult.
Despite this, this hike is worth doing once because it takes you off the beaten track. You won't meet many people. The path is varied and the views are splendid.

Details

n°21131544

Creation:
18 Apr 2022

Last update:
17 Jun 2026

Last review:
19 Jan 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.03 mi
Average duration: 5h 05
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 2,694 ft
Descent: - 2,687 ft
Highest point: 2,949 ft
Lowest point: 322 ft

Country: France
Areas: Pyrenees, Basque Country
City: Urrugne (64122)
Start/End: N 43.331291° / W 1.659511°
IGN map(s): Ref. 1245OT
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Description of the walk

From Ascain, take the road to Olhette. Opposite the Auberge de Trabenia, take the Xurien Borda path to reach the Xurien Borda car park.

(S/E) At the top of the car park, follow the classic Rhune trail (^GR®®10) for about 250 m.

(1) Leave the^GR®®10, turn right and head towards a stream. Cross it to reach the left bank. Take the stony path that branches off to the left into the woods. Follow it until you emerge from the woods and reach a Fork in the road.

(2) Leave the path that goes straight on and take the very well-marked track that climbs towards the ridge. Reach the rocks. The path continues to the left of them. Afterwards, weave your way through them in places. Once you reach the end of these rock formations, you’ll come to a large, tree-lined enclosure.

(3) Follow this enclosure to the right and join the cross-country path coming from Errepausuko Lepoa.

(4) Take this path to the right. It runs along a ledge and, just before the Col Zizcuitz, look out for a faint track in the grass leading off to the left.

(5) Take this track, which passes to the right of a pile of rocks. Once past this pile, head north-east, aiming for the cliff.

(6) From here, a black earth track begins. It winds its way through the cliff face and isn’t always easy to follow (watch out for the numerous shards of broken bottles). In places, you’ll need to use your hands. You’ll come to a low wall which you must go round to reach the Rhune esplanade. This climb is not recommended for those prone to vertigo. In that case, it is better to take the Verra road from the pass, which climbs to the summit.

(7) Continue down towards the lower Venta and follow the Verra track. It descends steeply in places to the Col Zizcuitz.

(5) Take a path that branches off to the left, heading due west. Just after a bend, you’ll find the traditional circular path that passes by the Venta Yasola.

(8) Continue straight on, following a contour line across a small plateau and over a pass, Meatzuko lepoa. Then head north-west. The grassy path climbs up to the summit of the Petite Rhune.

(9) Pass the summit and descend between the rocks to rejoin a track that heads first to the left and then to the right. At this point, the path is not very well marked. Do not let yourself be drawn downwards; instead, look for the start of a path that runs close to the cliff on the right. Once on it, it’s simply a matter of joining the traditional Yasola path. Follow it to the left (north-west) as far as the edge of the larch forest.

(10) Leave the path that runs alongside the forest and leads to Yasola. Take the path that goes round the summit of Subizia (it is possible to climb it).
The path winds its way down, steeply in places, to the Col de DesKargako Lepoa.

(11) Join the^GR®®10again and follow it to the lodge. Climb over an electricity pylon to cross the stream and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 325 ft - Car park at the end of the road
1 : mi 0.16 - alt. 367 ft - Leave the GR10
2 : mi 0.87 - alt. 633 ft - Fork in the road
3 : mi 1.67 - alt. 1,942 ft - Enclos
4 : mi 1.86 - alt. 2,077 ft - Cross-country trail
5 : mi 2.16 - alt. 2,215 ft - Col de Zizcuitz (675m)
6 : mi 2.4 - alt. 2,671 ft - Cliff
7 : mi 2.48 - alt. 2,949 ft - Summit of - La Rhune
8 : mi 3.51 - alt. 2,192 ft - The traditional Yasola trail
9 : mi 3.87 - alt. 2,201 ft - Petite Rhune (699 m)
10 : mi 4.28 - alt. 1,768 ft - Larch forest
11 : mi 5.02 - alt. 896 ft - Col de Deskargako Lepoa (272 m)
S/E : mi 6.03 - alt. 325 ft - Car park at the end of the road

Notes

Visorando rated it as moderate, but I would rate it as difficult. It is best to set off with a guidebook, map and, if possible, a GPS or the Visorando app.
Some sections are not easy to navigate, so do not attempt this hike in foggy weather, especially for the chimney and the paths on the climb, which are poorly marked or non-existent in places.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5

Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5

Ease of following the route
4 / 5

Route interest
4.9 / 5

PetitPhilou33

19 Jan 2026 at 13:55 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route takes less than three hours for experienced walkers and, above all, allows you to avoid the crowds of walkers on sunny days! Even at the end of December, the area is very busy with many walkers on the main routes. This is a very pleasant short hike, which offers a change of scenery and rejuvenation with its views of the ocean and snow-capped mountains.

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Charles 37

02 Jun 2025 at 13:32 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Lovely walk, essential app.

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Michel Berdou

24 Mar 2025 at 16:40 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Another way to climb La Rhune away from the crowds – at least on the way up. The climb along the ridge is very pleasant. On the descent, at the Deskargako pass, I climbed back up to Ziburumendi (Ciboure mountain) – a niche with a statue of the Virgin Mary – and on the other side, a small oratory dedicated to the Virgin of the Ocean and the Mountain. Continuing on to Ashes, be careful to take the path on the right to return to the GR10; the direct path ends at a private passage.

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Clotilde11

08 Oct 2024 at 10:34 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a fairly challenging route, not suitable for children.
The route is not very easy to follow without the app with GPS tracks.
However, it is a very pleasant route.

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CedricM33

06 May 2024 at 13:43 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that, contrary to what is stated, this route is problematic for people who suffer from vertigo. The description is therefore accurate on this point. If you have any doubts about your abilities, when you arrive at La Rhune, take the wider path used by everyone else. The cliff section is not particularly technical, but it can easily cause difficulties for anyone prone to vertigo. Similarly, it is not suitable for children under the age of 10, even if they are good walkers.
Just before the cliff, the trail is not easy to follow.

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Sof

10 Jul 2023 at 13:59 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route proved difficult, especially on the climb up the ridge. A unique and magnificent view.

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xiberotarra

15 Jun 2023 at 18:43 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The warning "Not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo" made me a little nervous: I don't like heights. But in the end, the climb is fairly steady and the rocky section isn't that impressive. The path is fairly easy to follow and, if in doubt, the GPS track is reassuring. Of course, you have to use your hands a few times, but it's nothing too difficult. The only downside was the fog that was hanging over La Rhune. Fortunately, it had cleared by the time we reached Petite Rhune, and the landscape with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other was magnificent. The descent was also easy. All in all, it was a magnificent hike that took us well off the beaten track (and not just a little!). It would have been a real treat, had it not been for the stream crossing at the beginning. Heavy rain in recent days meant that the ford was under water. Fortunately, our high-top shoes and walking sticks allowed us to cross on the rocks that were still slightly above water without getting our feet wet. Done once and definitely worth doing again. Once again, thank you for this beautiful walk.

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