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Directions: Head towards Ascain town centre. At the traffic lights in front of the church, turn left. Then take the first street on the right (this is the Route des Carrières). Continue straight on for about 1.2 km. Park in the car park known as the Parking des Carrières. (Do not go past the hut on the right, which serves as a toilet; the rest of the road, where parking is prohibited, is reserved for access to the quarries).
(S/E) Head towards the far end of the car park and carry on towards the quarry company. Then take the path on the right.
(1) At the junction about 150 m further on, turn left.
(2) Take the wide path on the left. Much further on, you’ll pass a hut.
(3) At this fork, do not follow the wide track which turns to the right (return route), but follow the narrow path which goes straight on.
(4) Before the very large rock, change direction by leaving the path that goes uphill and taking a small path that branches off to the right towards the forest. Then cross a stream and continue uphill, following some yellow markings.
(5) On emerging from the forest, head to the right and then, immediately, to the left, towards Miramar.
(6) At the pass (Errepausuko Lepoa), take the second path leading uphill on the left.
(7) Quite soon, leave the path leading up to La Rhune and take a small path on the right.
(8) At the headland, take a moment to rest and admire the superb view over the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Carry on along the path.
(9) There are several paths here that are not marked on maps. Continue along the small path on the left.
(10) At the Col de Zizkuitz, head towards marker 22, then, turning right after passing a cromlech site (mairubaratzak meatzu mendebal), climb up to the summit of Larun Txiki (commonly known as the Petite Rhune). The summit is very easily recognisable by its huge cairn.
(11) From the summit, head down to the left to rejoin the traditional path to the Petite Rhune and descend towards the other summit directly opposite (Subizia) until you reach the junction of two paths. Then change direction completely and take the sharp right-hand bend onto the path that leads beneath the Petite Rhune. On the way, you’ll pass a spring.
(12) At the Lieu des Pierres Réveillées (see explanations in the ‘During the walk’ section), take the time to explore some of the sculptures. Continuing along the path, you will reach a junction you passed on the way up.
(9) Follow the outward route in the opposite direction back to the pass (Errepausuko Lepoa).
(6) For the return journey:
- if you’re tired, you can of course simply retrace your steps along the same route you took on the way there.
- otherwise, I suggest you visit a few little-known sites on the Miramar plateau. To do this, head towards the small house which is clearly visible. This is, in fact, the Arabo Xola refuge. Following the path that runs alongside the wall of this refuge, you’ll reach a little-known spot: the Grotto of the Virgin. Once you’ve passed this spot, cut through the ferns towards the stele (pastoral lore of the lagoon) at the foot of a tree, then on to the little chapel. Head down a little further to join the wide path that circles Miramar; then, after passing a sheepfold, it will take you back to a junction you’ve already passed on the way out.
(3) Retrace your steps along the outward route until you reach a fork in the path that you passed on the way out.
(2) Suggested return route to avoid retracing your steps: follow a difficult, narrow, steep and stony path to the left. This can be slippery in wet weather. However, it is an old path, much as it was in days gone by, set in unspoilt wilderness, where you can discover the remains of old walls and a sheepfold. If in doubt or feeling tired, do not take this path.
(13) At the junction where several paths meet, turn right and return to a junction you have already passed on the outward journey.
(1) Follow the outward route in reverse to return to the Parking des Carrières (S/E).
Visorando Member
Association / Club / Walk leader
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