The Gartzin bunker in Ibardin

de fr

This hike takes you to a large bunker that runs through the mountain and was part of the defensive structures built along the border during Franco's time to prevent a possible invasion from France. But the views of the surrounding landscape are very beautiful.

Details

n°68130506
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.52 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 522 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 535 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,385 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,033 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Gallery

Description of the walk

The starting point for this hike is located in Ibardin at the first car park near the caravan park.
To get to this starting point by car, see the Practical Information section below.

(S/E) Drive down the road to the Col d'Ibardin. Turn right, then cross the Venta Gorria car park and take the gate at the back (make sure you close it behind you). Continue along this path. You will come to a concrete road.

(1) Turn right onto it. You will come to a crossroads at the Okalarre restaurant (usually closed).

(2) Go down to the right along the small path, then look for the tree trunks on the left-hand side of the path, placed across the ditch.

(3) Carefully step over these tree trunks, follow the path and, after a fairly steep climb, you will come to the entrance to a tunnel.

(4) For your information, each gallery is about 100 m long and the floor is normally quite clean. Go straight ahead, ignoring the gallery that branches off to the left. Go to the embrasure: you can easily imagine a machine gun nest in this spot. Retrace your steps a little and go left to the other embrasure. Turn back, almost to the entrance, but before you get there, turn right into the other tunnel. Continue to the exit to find yourself on the other side of the mountain.

(5) Descend and, turning left, pass by the Okalarre restaurant again to reach the crossroads you passed on the way up.

(2) Turn right and retrace your steps in the opposite direction. Return to the first fork in the road at the start.

(1) Continue right on the road, passing close to the Elzaurdia venta. Continue slightly uphill to reach border marker no. 17.

(6) Turn left and follow the artillery path and border markers 16 and 15, with the summit of Erentzazu, to reach marker 14.

(7) Continue straight ahead, then begin a fairly steep descent towards the D404, which can be seen below. Turn left onto it and continue to the Col d'Ibardin roundabout. Turn right to return to the ventas car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,066 ft - Car park at - Col d'Ibardin
  2. 1 : mi 0.35 - alt. 1,132 ft - Cement road
  3. 2 : mi 0.51 - alt. 1,096 ft - Okalare
  4. 3 : mi 0.67 - alt. 1,063 ft - Crossing the ditch
  5. 4 : mi 0.78 - alt. 1,257 ft - Entrance to the galleries
  6. 5 : mi 0.91 - alt. 1,201 ft - Exit from the galleries
  7. 6 : mi 1.81 - alt. 1,329 ft - Marker 17
  8. 7 : mi 2.24 - alt. 1,266 ft - Marker 14
  9. S/E : mi 2.52 - alt. 1,066 ft - Car park at - Col d'Ibardin

Notes

How to get to the starting point by car:
- From Ciboure, take the D810 towards Urrugne. At the large roundabout in Urrugne, turn left towards the exit marked Col d'Ibardin. Take the D4, turn right to climb up to the Col d'Ibardin.
- Once at the pass, turn right towards the ventas and park immediately in the first car park on the right, just above the caravan park.
Please note: it is essential to have a head torch or torch (or both to avoid any surprises) to complete this hike and visit the old bunker.

Worth a visit

(S/E) The ventas at the Col d'Ibardin are renowned for their shops and restaurants.
Col d'Ibardin roundabout: note the border marker located in the middle of this roundabout.
(4) and (5) Gartzin bunkers.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 27798675

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The path climbs steeply to reach it. A very pretty hike; the bunker is worth seeing, but bring a torch. Not to be attempted in wet conditions due to the risk of slipping.

Machine-translated

caroliina64
caroliina64
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

After parking in the car park at the bottom of the Ibardin Pass, we joined this hike, which starts behind the Venta Gorria. There are no particular difficulties on this hike. The bunker is impressive because it goes through the mountain and is not very slippery, even though it had rained the day before. You will need at least your phone torch to move around the centre of the bunker, which is quite large. At the back, there is a skylight, so there is a little more visibility.

Machine-translated

ANNE40
ANNE40

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful route, unusual bunker, beautiful views. A short climb over rocky, narrow terrain, a wonderful discovery.

Machine-translated

User 26977034
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Circuit on the Col d'Ibardin
Best done in dry weather, as there are quite a few steep sections (especially at the start)
The highlight of this walk is the cave, which adds an extra dimension (don't forget a torch)
In good weather, there are views of the bay of St Jean de Luz and the Rhune

Machine-translated

User 13975617

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short hike.
We had a little trouble finding the starting point, but after that everything was easy to access. I agree with the other reviews: don't do this when the ground is wet, as there are some very steep sections.
One downside: part of the route is on a small road, which detracts from the charm of the trail.
On the plus side, there are varied landscapes and pretty views, but best of all, you get to discover this bunker that many locals don't even know about. We were lucky enough to explore it on our own, which was great fun for young and old alike!
Don't forget a torch!

Machine-translated

jipe12
jipe12

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike, but we did it after a period of rain and the trail was a bit slippery.
Before No. 6, you can take a track on the left to avoid most of the road below, but the end is a bit of a guess.

Machine-translated

alain leg
alain leg

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very pleasant and original hike (passing through tunnels/bunkers), superb panoramic views of La Rhune and the Basque coast.
I think the route needs a slight correction:
At point No. 2, leave the road towards the restaurant and take the path that descends to the right below the pylon.
Alain D

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Xoldoko Gaina from the Col d'Ibardin

Local authority
Xoldoko Gaina depuis le Col d'Ibardin
↔3.86 mi ↗+892 ft ↘-879 ft ◔2h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Popular for its ventas and other Sunday shopping, the Col d'Ibardin is also the starting point for easy, scenic walks along the Atlantic coast. One of these involves a visit to Lake Xoldokogaina and is suitable for families. As most of the climb is concentrated at the beginning of the walk, it is advisable to take a leisurely pace to reach the highest venta, then the Manddale slopes. The view is already very wide and encourages contemplative breaks. As you round a grove of conifers, the entire Xoldokogaina massif comes into view, a complex of moors and shady valleys, a true paradise for pottoks! It's time for the long descent to the lake, where you can take a break in the shade of hundred-year-old oaks.

Walking Lake Xoldokogaina from the Ibardin Pass

Visorando Member
Lac Xoldokogaina à partir du Col d'Ibardin
↔4.35 mi ↗+367 ft ↘-371 ft ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Lake Xoldokogaina, also known as Lake Ibardin, is located at an altitude of 330 m in the Arola Valley, surrounded by the Xoldo, Munhoa and Onéaga mountains. It was created in the early 1930s as a water reserve. Swimming and fishing are prohibited. A hike starting from the car park, below the ventas (traditional Basque restaurants) when arriving from the pass, provides access to the lake and offers beautiful views of the Basque coast and the surrounding mountains. The trail crosses pastureland where you may encounter pottoks and betisoak. The Ibardin Pass offers exceptional views of the Spanish and French Pyrenees. The site is ideal for relaxing by the water or enjoying a picnic.

Walking Lake Ibardin, Xoldoko Gaina, Manddale from the Col d'Ibardin

Visorando Member
Lac d'Ibardin, Xoldoko Gaina, Manddale depuis le Col d'Ibardin
↔8.23 mi ↗+1,903 ft ↘-1,877 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
This hike is actually a trilogy of the most beautiful places to the west and north-west of the Col d'Ibardin. The Col d'Ibardin (the French-Spanish border ridge) is well known for its ventas and restaurants, which attract many visitors all year round. But it also offers beautiful walks thanks to its tracks and hiking trails. What is proposed here is a long route that passes through the three main points of these places and offers the most beautiful views of this region over the surrounding peaks, such as the Trois Couronnes to the west and the Rhune to the east. There are also magnificent views of the ocean and the towns of Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye, Hondarribia, Irun, etc.

Walking Loop at the Col d'Lbardin

Visorando Member
Boucle au col d'lbardin
↔7.41 mi ↗+1,594 ft ↘-1,621 ft ◔4h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A beautiful hike that combines superb views and varied trails. Definitely do it in good weather to enjoy the landscapes that await you.

Walking Mandalle and Col des Joncs from Ibardin

Visorando Member
Mandalle et Col des Joncs depuis Ibardin
↔3.26 mi ↗+876 ft ↘-873 ft ◔2h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A lovely hike above Ibardin, offering the chance to climb a few peaks, including Mandalle, and enjoy a 360° view of the surrounding peaks and the sea.

Walking Irungo Soro

Association / Club / Walk leader
Irungo Soro
↔4.93 mi ↗+1,076 ft ↘-1,073 ft ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A circular passing by the Zigorriaga viewpoint and the redoubt of zigzag on the Manttale.

Walking Mandalle and Zigorriaga from Ibardin

Visorando Member
Mandalle et Zigorriaga depuis Ibardin
↔2.29 mi ↗+614 ft ↘-604 ft ◔1h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
This is a beautiful and fairly short hike, suitable for families (only the start is a little steep), offering superb views of the region's iconic peaks such as La Rhune and Les Trois Couronnes, as well as the Pyrenees mountain range in the distance and the coast.

Walking Circular loop of the Zigorriaga, Akozpe and Manttale peaks

Association / Club / Walk leader
Boucle des sommets Zigorriaga, Akozpe et Manttale
↔4.07 mi ↗+945 ft ↘-938 ft ◔2h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urrugne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A circular route to discover three peaks overlooking the Basque coast to the north and the Bidasoa valley to the south.

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.