The Jurançon Hills

A shaded walk on the hillsides of Jurançon to discover beautiful forests and estates.

Details

3754556
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 281 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 278 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 339 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 177 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Jurançon (64110)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.285253° / W 0.400381°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1545ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available along the D268 road (Chemin Beauvallon) near the D802 roundabout.

(S/E) Go to the roundabout and turn left. Turn left into the cul-de-sac where the Chemin pédestre de Monplaisir begins. It offers a beautiful view of the Pau conurbation, particularly the Château de Pau. This path climbs steadily.

(1) At the intersection with the paved Chemin de Laroin road, continue straight ahead in the same direction until you reach Lare.

(2) Turn right onto Avenue des Frères Barthélémy and continue to Heuga.

(3) Turn right to descend the Chemin Mirabel trail. At the fork, turn left.
At the entrance to the Larriau property, go down the path on the left.

(4) Continue downhill, turning right and passing alongside the stream.

(5) When you reach the road, turn left. After 250 metres, leave the road and take the path on the left. Go up Chemin Ticoulat. When you reach the road, turn left onto Avenue des Frères Barthélémy and continue for 150 metres.

(6) Take the first road on the right. Follow Chemin des Vignats, a very narrow tarmac road. Chemin des Vignats leads to the roundabout and the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 179 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.65 - alt. 337 m - Intersection of path and road
  3. 2 : km 2.03 - alt. 334 m - Lare
  4. 3 : km 2.49 - alt. 329 m - Road and trail intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.07 - alt. 260 m - Intersection of the path and the stream bed
  6. 5 : km 3.64 - alt. 202 m - Intersection of path and road
  7. 6 : km 4.84 - alt. 331 m - Road intersection
  8. S/E : km 6.56 - alt. 179 m - Car park

Notes

On several occasions, trees block the path, sometimes making it difficult to pass. This is why this hike has been classified as moderately difficult.

There is a slight difficulty at (4). You must continue down the path, beyond what is indicated on the IGN map.
In the past, the trail passed a few metres above this point. However, the property has now incorporated it into the field.
You must now continue to the stream, follow it, or even walk in the stream bed, which is fortunately dry.

Do not rely on signposts. The map and description are sufficient. However, it is advisable to follow the route on your smartphone app.

Although you can hear the cars on the D 802 road at the start of the walk, you will find peace and quiet once you reach the top of the hills.

This walk climbs up and down the hills twice. However, you can stay on the hilltops by continuing along Avenue des Frères Barthélémy until you reach the intersection with Chemin des Vignots. This is a 1.5 km shortcut.

The few trees that block the paths sometimes require you to bend down a little.

Beware of ticks. It is advisable to cover your legs, neck and head.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Papi Francis
Papi Francis

It's a very good route, although a little cluttered with branches in places. Best done in summer.

Machine-translated

User 22611389

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk, precise and detailed route, we will definitely do it again.

Machine-translated

Fabio.66
Fabio.66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Too much traffic on the road, but beautiful views of the Pyrenees mountain range.
The GPX route is very good. You just have to follow it.
We really appreciated the information about obstacles.
The route descriptions are accurate.

Machine-translated

Papi Francis
Papi Francis

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

varied physical course.
I couldn't get the app to work.
I had the paper version.

Machine-translated

Citron10
Citron10

Deviating from the path along this stream by taking a small trail leads to a fenced field and offers a magnificent view of the Pyrenees.
However, the ascent and descent are difficult.
I do not recommend leaving the stream bed.
If there is too much water, turn back and take the path and then the road to reach point 6.

Machine-translated

shanxou
shanxou

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note that a section of the trail through the forest may be dangerous for beginners and children:
The path between points 4 and 5 deviates from the route (more precisely from the point where there is a small stream on your right). It starts with a steep climb (some people have done it on all fours) but then descends just as steeply, and it is this section that is dangerous because it is easy to slip and slide down the slope. For safety reasons, this section should only be attempted in dry weather.

Everything else is as described in the other comments: there are plenty of ups and downs, but the paths are fine, alternating between forest trails and roads.

Machine-translated

skargo
skargo

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Hello

  • Having done the walk yesterday, 11/04/2024, here are my comments: for the GPX track, the location points are too far apart, the detour around the stream on the left is dangerous going downhill

The sign after number 5 is not facing the right way. You do not cross the stream to climb up in front
so this walk should be done in dry weather
Best regards, G@.

Machine-translated

JJ64
JJ64

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short walk. The route alternates between forest paths and tarmac roads. Beautiful views overlooking Pau. Allow 2 hours for the walk. Be aware that there are some fairly steep ascents and descents.

Machine-translated

sussu40
sussu40

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike near Pau. It climbs up and down hillsides and valleys. Most of the route is shaded. At times, the vegetation and the stream bed make it feel like you're in a jungle. Be aware that it's not flat. Don't rely too much on the signposts; read the map or follow the GPS route, which matches the hike.

Machine-translated

Tosniop
Tosniop

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Not an exceptional route, but pleasant (especially between Heuga and Parenche).
A slight hesitation at point 4
And so you do have to put your feet in the stream, with a few slippery sections
Didn't see a soul
Traffic on the road down to Jurançon between point 6 and the finish

Machine-translated

CHRIS51150
CHRIS51150

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk just next to Jurançon. Easy and very exotic. I did it on 20 December under a gentle sun and without meeting anyone.

Machine-translated

Jn64
Jn64

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did this route on Boxing Day morning and encountered very few people. The route is reliable. The fallen trees have been cut away, except for two or three on the first climb. The ground is quite wet, so hiking boots are essential (trainers are not recommended). Otherwise, in terms of views, there is a beautiful panorama of Pau at the start, a view of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre in the first third, and a view of Ossau just before km 6. Otherwise, you are in the forest. A little disappointed in terms of panoramic views of the Pyrenees, but it is a route on the outskirts of Pau, which is still very convenient.
The 2 hours 35 minutes is very exaggerated (1 hour 50 minutes without really pushing yourself).

Machine-translated

maevavln
maevavln

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant 6km walk accessible to all, particularly popular on Sundays, with a few hills and lovely views. Please note that there are a few fallen trees on the path, which can be muddy after rain, and a small stream crosses the walking trail. Wear suitable footwear after rain.

Machine-translated

Gnn64
Gnn64

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route as described, very pleasant.
Thank you!

Machine-translated

brunodelage464
brunodelage464

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The Mirabel trail is superb.
It's a bit muddy and there are a few fallen trees, but it's not too difficult to get through.
The return journey is along a narrow road that fortunately isn't very busy, but that's the only downside to this walk.
Thank you for the discovery.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.