The Zuhalmendi circular loop from Ibarrun to Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle

Park at the Ibarrun pelota court. There are several parking spaces all around. The area is equipped with picnic tables.

(S/E) Take the Aroztegia path: signposted for another hike (Croix de Sainte-Barbe). Follow this small road until you reach a path on the left.

(1) Take this path, which crosses the Nivelle via a beautiful little bridge known as the Virgin’s Bridge, and rejoins the road you left earlier. Continue along this road until you reach a cattle grid.

(2) Cross the culvert and continue straight on until you reach a junction.

(3) Take the track on the left. Initially fairly flat, this stony track climbs steeply for about a hundred metres until it reaches a level stretch.

(4) Ignore the return path ahead, take the left-hand bend, and continue until you reach a property surrounded by a hedge, where a small road joins from the left.

(5) Take this small road until you reach another road coming from Sare.

(6) Follow this road to the right until you reach a signpost.

(7) Take the yellow dirt track that climbs to the left, up to the summit of Zuhalmendi, at an altitude of 301 m. Despite a few antennas, the view remains very beautiful.

(8) Go back a little way and follow the path down to the left, heading due north. At the bottom, you’ll rejoin the road to Sarre – or rather, what is now a dirt track.

(9) Head left and continue until you reach a three-way junction with a wayside cross.

(10) Take this wide track to the right and follow it for over 2 km, down a series of slopes, until you reach the stream called Uzkaingo Erreka.

(11) Cross the stream at the ford, then follow the track along the right bank of the stream for over 2 km until you rejoin the ascent route.

(4) Go straight on and retrace your steps in the opposite direction to return to the Ibarrun pelota court (S/E).