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If you are travelling by motorhome, park in the dedicated car park below the village of Sare; otherwise, there is another car park for cars next to it. Take the opportunity to buy picnic supplies and visit this beautiful village with its typical Basque character, which has been classified as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France".
(S/E) Cross the road and turn left. At the nearby crossroads, you will find the start ofthe GR® 10trail, which initially follows a small tarmac road for about 600 metres, gently climbing between scattered houses that are superbly maintained, as is the norm in the Basque Country.
(1) At a bend on the right, you will find a cattle grid leading to a fork in two dirt tracks. Take the left track towardsthe GR®10and follow this path, which initially descends quite steeply into a small valley where you will have to cross a small stream (or even a muddy patch, depending on the season). Soon you will come to a paved section of road near a farm on your left. Continue along this road, always keeping to the right. You can't go wrong: just follow the GR®10 markings. After another farm, you will pass the Oratoire Saint-Antoine, a small religious building on the right. Continue along this road for about 700 metres, always turning right at the crossroads. At a farm, a new dirt track begins.
(2) Climb this path, which is half dirt and half rock, where you can pick up a few chestnuts as chestnut trees are very common along this route. You will also frequently encounter pottocks (small Pyrenean horses) roaming free, which are very fond of acorns and chestnuts.
After about a kilometre, you cross a wet area where several streams flow, then the path begins to climb in a more open environment, with beautiful views of the Rhune and the surrounding mountains.
(3) You arrive near a beautiful ruined sheepfold surrounded by large oak trees, and the trail begins its final climb to the Col des Trois Fontaines, a little over a kilometre long, still in an open and picturesque environment.
(4) Col des Trois Fontaines. Leave theGR®10. At this highest point of our route, we come across the Rhune railway line. Take the path on the right that follows it eastwards for about 900 metres. This is an opportunity for us to have a picnic while enjoying the landscape and the peace and quiet!
(5) At a bend to the left of the railway line, which at this point begins its descent towards Saint-Ignace, you will find a path on the right marked by a sign indicating Sare - Sara in blue.
From there, simply follow the ridge line, keeping the village of Sare in sight. The descent takes you through wide open spaces of fern and gorse heathland, dotted with beautiful sandstone rock formations.
On your left, you will see the Col de Saint-Ignace and recognise the Zuhalmendi, and your gaze will be lost in the vast landscape stretching as far as Bidart and Biarritz in the distance.
(6) We pass a water reservoir (or water tower) and soon the path branches off to the left, meeting other paths a little further down, one of which heads north-west and the other joins the nearby road that descends from the Col de St-Ignace to Sare.
(7) Turn right to rejoin the road you started on after 450 metres.
(1) Descend back down to Sare, enjoying beautiful views of the village and its stunning fortified church, and you will return to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
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Association / Club / Walk leader
