The Arraskuelarre peak and the Gainzabal dolmen in Elizalde

The starting point for this walk is at the Klarene Plaza car park in Elizalde.
To get to this starting point by car, see the ‘Practical Information’ section below.

(S/E) On foot, leave the car park via the same exit you used to enter by car, take the road on the left and cross the river via the bridge. Then, immediately, take the shared cycle and footpath on the right. Continue along this path alongside the River Karrika Ibaia.

(1) At the end of the cycle path, turn sharply left to follow the road, pass the house (mill) and take the small path leading uphill (Petriene bidea). You’ll come to a junction.

(2) Turn left onto the tarmac road.

(3) Just past the sheepfold, walk up to the summit and back, taking the path on the left.

(4) This summit is marked by a very large cross lying on the ground and is surrounded by pidgeon hunting huts. Retrace your steps.

(3) Continue the walk by heading left and then following the road to the right.

(5) Leave the road and walk a few steps to the Gainzabal Dolmen. Then return to the road and continue along it. The route now follows small roads, mostly tarmac but with no traffic. You’ll reach a junction.

(6) Turn sharply left.

(7) At the end, walk along the pavement on the right, then keep to the right, cross the river via a bridge and head towards the square. Head towards the large stone, a tribute to Uztapide, a famous figure in bertsolarismo, or improvised singing. Cross another river via a very small bridge and follow the narrow path that runs alongside a fence.

(8) At the end of this path, you’ll come to a shared cycle and footpath; take this by turning left. This path runs separately from the road.

(9) You’ll arrive at the Fortaleza restaurant. Here, cross the road using the designated crossings to continue along the path to the end.

(10) Leave the path by turning left, cross the river via a bridge and head back to the car park (S/E).

Directions by car to the start of the walk:
Head towards Oiartzun via the GI-2134 road. Then follow signs for Lesaka and immediately turn right onto the road leading downhill, following signs for Altzibar Karrika. Drive downhill, pass a stop sign and continue. At the next stop sign, turn left towards Artikutza. At the roundabout, turn left towards Altzibar Plaza (you’ll be on Olalde Kalea). At the stop sign, you’ll see a ‘P’ sign (for car park), so turn right towards this car park and park there. You’ll be at Klarene Plaza.

For your information, the journey by car from Saint-Jean-de-Luz is approximately 24 kilometres and takes around 30 minutes.

Whilst you’re there, you can visit the Luberri Museum, a geological museum of the Basque Country, as well as the Soinuena Museum, dedicated to musical instruments.