The Mendaur from Aurtitz

A magnificent hike through a typical Navarrese forest leads to the summit of Mendaur, with its breathtaking 360° views.
A visit to the Ermita de la Trinidad (ermitage) is a must!

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 949 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 950 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,108 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 192 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From the Behobie border (near Irun) take the N-121-A to Doneztebe/Santesteban.
From there, follow the NA-170 past Elgorriaga and Ituren to Auritz (or Aurtitz).
Park in the small square beside the road.

(S/E) Follow North-West along the street parallel to the road, where the red/white signs start.

(1) At the crossroads, leave the road and take the gravel path up to the left (signs).

(2) At the crossroads, at the water main, turn left onto the wide track marked Red/White. Further on, the track crosses a stream, with a small waterfall on the right.

(3) A hundred metres further on, turn right following the signs. Pass a beautiful sheep pen and follow the signs, forking right. The path rises into the forest, skirting the stream.

(4) At the track, keep left. A few metres after a sharp left-hand bend, you'll find a trailhead on the right. Follow it uphill along the stream, past a stone bridge which you must not cross, to reach the Mendaur dam.

(5) At the dam, continue uphill and at the crow's feet, turn right towards the end of the lake.

(6) At an attractive picnic area, cross the feeder stream and follow the path to the right. The path, still signposted, soon rises steeply.

(7) Reach the Mendaur Pass and its menhir. To the right, take the path that winds up to the summit topped by the hermitage (Ermita de la Trinidad). If you walk at a leisurely pace, it will take you 1/2 hour to reach the summit.
(8) After visiting the building and admiring the view, return along the same route to the dam.

(5) Along the wall bordering the lake, don't go down the outward path, but continue on the track that runs horizontally due South. Follow this track as it winds its way up to the village (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 193 m - Place à Aurtitz
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 200 m - Stone path, left
  3. 2 : km 0.53 - alt. 242 m - Water pipe
  4. 3 : km 0.81 - alt. 282 m - Bergerie, on the right
  5. 4 : km 1.6 - alt. 402 m - Runway, left
  6. 5 : km 3.33 - alt. 701 m - Mendaur dam
  7. 6 : km 3.59 - alt. 730 m - Picnic facilities
  8. 7 : km 4.57 - alt. 926 m - Col de Mendaur
  9. 8 : km 5.46 - alt. 1,106 m - Hermitage of the Trinity
  10. S/E : km 12.49 - alt. 192 m - Place à Aurtitz

Notes

No drinking water on the way.

The hermitage doors are usually open, offering shelter in case of need.

Worth a visit

The village of Auritz is well worth a visit, with its beautiful Navarrese houses.

If you're having a drink on a terrace in the village, don't wait for someone to come and serve you, just place your order at the bar and take out your drinks.
Don't be offended, it's a habit here, as it often is in the region.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 4357442

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk – you can really feel the climb. At the start, there’s space to park along the stream.

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andforg
andforg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Mendaur, the iconic peak of Basque Navarre, proudly dominates the Malerreka valley.
From Aurtitz, the round trip via Lake Mendaur offers a hike full of charm and panoramic views.
The Trinity Hermitage, perched high up like a well-kept secret, was built in 1692 and restored in 1963. A tradition associated with this site is to walk around the building three times with a stone (from the area) in your hand and your wish will come true: (you should find your soul mate).
This chapel bears witness to stories of witchcraft that took place at the summit of Mendaur in the 16th century.

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hurlu3
hurlu3

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent walk in fine weather, with 360° panoramic views. Beware of the wind

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Micas
Micas

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike, with a beautiful view at the summit that alone is worth the diversions. The return to the road seemed a bit tedious, especially on the cemented section, which must be a bit hot in summer, but it was a lovely view over the valley.

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Philippe Le B
Philippe Le B

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very varied and magnificent route, with the first part in forest alongside magnificent streams. The final climb is a bit of a challenge, but the reward is at the top, with the Trinité hermitage and an exceptional 360° view of the Pyrenees.
The only drawback is the return journey, where it is preferable to take the same route as the outward journey rather than the tarmac track, which is tiring and longer than the initial ascent. Apart from this small downside, it's a magnificent hike that I recommend.

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LM64
LM64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's easy to find the starting point, easy to park and easy to find your way around during the hike. Even the descent via the road isn't so bad, as it allows you to enjoy the scenery without looking too closely at where you're going! The downside was that there were a few people in a group on the way up and so there was a bit too much noise at times, which isn't necessarily what you want when you're out in nature. But it was a lovely day out, and in Aurtitz there was a little pub/hotel for a drink at the end of the hike...

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Merlej1207
Merlej1207

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Too good
What a view!!!

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donibanegarazi
donibanegarazi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice little climb up to Mendaur. Splendid views from the summit. Part of the way back is less interesting as you follow the road.
Well worth the diversions.

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donibanegarazi
donibanegarazi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice little climb up to Mendaur. Part of the way back is less interesting as you follow the road.
Well worth the diversions.

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Tartera
Tartera
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in typical regional landscapes, through a forest dotted with large old trees with twisted trunks: very beautiful oaks surrounded by ferns in the first part up to (4), then superb beech trees from (4) to (6). At the top, summer pasture with horses and sheep. Splendid view from the summit of Mendaur, which is very windy.
The path has no difficulties (apart from the difference in altitude).
However, the return journey from (5) on a wide track, often made of concrete, is less interesting. Don't hesitate to return the same way you came if the weather is dry.

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calou40
calou40

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

bonjour ,
j'ai mis BIEN pour l'intérêt du circuit parce que le retour a partir du barrage se fait sur une large piste qui pour moi na d'intérêt (ce n'est que mon avis) il y a je pense moyen d'emprunté un autre itinéraire avec des kms en plus ou retour par le tracé de l'aller .
Otherwise very nice view from the hermitage.
warning !!!! once you reach the top the wind can blow very hard and that was the case today.

The hike is a walk, not a race.
bonne rando a tous

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noesvi
noesvi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful walk with spectacular views on arrival at the hermitage.

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sophielassonde
sophielassonde

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent hike. I did it in mid-November, with the inconvenience of hearing shotgun fire, especially at the start. But that didn't detract from the beauty of the landscape. It took us 4? hours, including the lunch break and numerous stops for photos.

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Jacques Bomassi
Jacques Bomassi

thank you for your comment.
bonne continuation.
jacques

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Mapie.e
Mapie.e

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice walk.
At the start, the climb through the forest is pleasantly cool (30°C that day).
The view from the summit is extraordinary. And it's surprising to find a hermitage here.
The return journey along the track is long but less dangerous than the steep and slippery path on the outward journey.

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