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From Bayonne, head towards Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. On leaving Ossés, turn right towards Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry. Immediately take the first road on the left, cross the Nive des Aldudes and, immediately after, take the road on the right. At the next fork, go left. The road climbs steeply towards the Sohatea farm. At the top of the slope, opposite a large house, park in a small grassy car park.
(S/E) Head to the far end of this car park and go through a gate (marked as a mountain bike trail). Follow the path that joins a wide track heading west. After a large circular loop, the track turns south to reach a gate.
(1) Leave the track and take the path on the left marked with a yellow cross that climbs up into the meadow. Further on, rejoin the track, which you will follow for a very short distance.
(2) Leave the track and take the path on the left marked Jara (orange and yellow markings and mountain bike route). This path climbs steadily between ferns and gorse. When you reach the first trees, the slope levels out and ends with a path that follows the contour line. Pass to the right of a wood pigeon hunting post. At the edge of the path, three benches invite you to take a short coffee break about 1 hour after setting off. A few metres further on, you will come to a crossroads.
(3) The path on the left comes from the Sohatea farm, offering a possible return route if you wish to make a circular path. Yellow markings. In our case, we turn right. A little further on, we pass a magnificent fountain dating from 1888, then take the wide grassy path that winds its way upwards.
(4) Pass the start of the shortcut, which we will take on the way back, and continue climbing up the very long but relaxing switchbacks. Continue to the fork that follows.
(5) Opposite us is the path coming from Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry. Keep to the far left, following the sign for Jara. You will reach the start of the shortcut that you will take on the way back.
(6) Continue along the hairpin bends, which become shorter and shorter. Go around the summit of Lexudoko Hegia along a beautiful path with magnificent views. You will arrive at a pastoral area with a fence.
(7) Walk along the fence and reach the Irazelhaiko Pass.
(8) The path up from Irouleguy arrives from the right. Follow the wide red earth path opposite to the summit of Jara. There is a fenced picnic area and an orientation table.
(9) First, return to the start of a shortcut.
(6) Take the shortcut on the right.
(4) Retrace your steps up the path to return to the car park where you started (S/E).
Recommended for inexperienced walkers (like us) before attempting other more technical summits in the area.
Great walk, beautiful weather... and the icing on the cake, the walk's organiser set off at the same time as us!
Visorando member
Association / Club / Walk leader
Easy 
Difficult 
