The Col de Saint-Ignace trail in Ascain

A family hike through the forest, starting from the beautiful village of Ascain and ending at the Col de Saint-Ignace, a place famous for cyclists, but also because it is the starting point of the little rack railway that takes you up to La Rhune. This pass is very busy in summer.

Details

7683203
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 238 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 238 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 250 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 12 m

Photos

Description of the walk

This hike is featured in the Rando64 guide produced by the Basque Country Urban Community (route no. 11 / level 1). The route has been mapped out for inclusion in Visorando.

The starting point for the hike is located at the Chourrio car park, on the road from Arraioa to Ascain. To get to this starting point by car, see the "Practical information" section below.

(S/E) From the car park, join the street and turn left, crossing the bridge over the river. Continue along the tarmac road to the Arraioa crossroads.

(1) Take the dirt track directly opposite. Further on, cross a cattle grid.

(2) Do not cross the stream, but take the path on the right. The stream will remain on your left. Continue to the sheepfold (Terminen Muga), which is also a rest area.

(3) Go through the gate and follow the road to the right. Continue along this road until you reach a car park just before the D4 road from Ascain to the Col de Saint-Ignace (starting point of the Rhune train).

(4) Turn left to take the summit trail.

(5) At the sign, turn right and continue climbing until you reach the car park.

(6) Turn right and cross the road to the road opposite the departure point of the Rhune train. Take the time to see the rack railway dating from 1924. You are now at the Col de Saint-Ignace at an altitude of 169 m. Cross the car park towards the Les Trois Fontaines hotel and inn.

(7) At the hotel, take the path on the right (which was an old tramway) and follow it gently through the forest and fields. Near the place called Etxegaraia, this path turns into a fairly quiet tarmac road called "Chemin Handienea".

(8) Follow this road down to the D4.

(9) Cross this road carefully, which runs from Ascain to the Col de Saint-Ignace, going straight ahead. Pass the cemetery. Then, at the pelota court, take the road on the right and you will reach the Chourrio car park, the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 12 m - Chourrio car park, Rte Arraioa/Ascain near the - Nivelle (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 36 m - Arraio crossroads
  3. 2 : km 0.62 - alt. 38 m - Stream
  4. 3 : km 2.18 - alt. 101 m - Bergerie (Terminen Muga)
  5. 4 : km 2.8 - alt. 160 m - Car park
  6. 5 : km 3.32 - alt. 250 m - Sign
  7. 6 : km 3.76 - alt. 178 m - Car park - Col de Saint-Ignace (169 m)
  8. 7 : km 4.2 - alt. 162 m - Hotel, after the - Petit train de la Rhune
  9. 8 : km 5.36 - alt. 103 m - Road to Etxegaria
  10. 9 : km 7.15 - alt. 24 m - D4
  11. S/E : km 7.5 - alt. 12 m - Chourrio car park, Route d'Arraioa in Ascain

Notes

Driving directions to the starting point of the hike.
From Saint-Jean-de-Luz, head towards Ascain. In Ascain, turn right to take the bridge over the Nivelle. At the roundabout, turn left and follow the signs for "Petit train de la Rhune".
Drive through Ascain. Just before you reach the covered market/church/pelota court, turn left (you will be in front of the pelota court, at the foot of the court) onto Rue Zerbitzi. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and park on the left in the car park marked P3 (Chourrio car park).

Worth a visit

Visit Ascain: at the very least, go and see the pelota court, the covered market and the church.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
filiplacour
filiplacour

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello,
As is often the case with Visorando, finding the starting point for the hike is difficult, but once you're on the trail, it's great and you can enjoy yourself.
Thank you

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betty boop 64
betty boop 64

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, even if there are few hills and viewpoints. Ideal in southerly winds, warm weather, summer (quite a lot of undergrowth). We stopped several times, unsure which path to take. In the end, we followed the hike almost all the way, except for the end, which I didn't understand. We followed the mountain bike trail towards Ascain (point 8). Thank you for this hike.

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lavanant
lavanant

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short, easy walk offering beautiful views of the pass over Saint Jean Bay.

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Hervé Bignon
Hervé Bignon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route that follows the old tramway line, which is currently being converted into a cycle path.

Some may find that there is too much road, but the small roads in the village of Ascain are charming and not very busy.

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Murielle Biez
Murielle Biez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike in the hills above Ascain.
Beautiful views of the sea.

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