The Iparla ridges

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I love this walk, but I have to admit that, at 76, it’s becoming very difficult for me. The short, steep climb up to the boundary stone isn’t easy, and then the GR 10 path down to Urdos is very stony, but I’d encourage anyone who’s fit to give this walk a go – the scenery is magnificent.

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Date of your route : Sep 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

I don’t wish to cause any harm to the creator of this route, who is, of course, well-meaning, but I cannot let him downplay the danger of this route, as I know the area well.
So I’ll say it straight away: Danger!
We cannot tolerate such a route being published online whilst glossing over the dangerous nature of this hike.
It is intended for experienced, impetuous walkers… stunt performers, acrobats or those with a death wish ☺️ but not for casual weekend walkers.
Far be it from me to cause any harm, but there is a genuine danger warning that must be mentioned when making a hike available on a website aimed at the general public.
Whether it’s perilous, risky or nerve-wracking may well be part of the experience, but people need to be made fully aware of this.
This ascent via the north face and then the chimney is intended for an informed, fit and adventurous audience, and no one else.
This is because people who set out for a relaxing day at the magnificent Pic d’Iparla should not be forced to turn back, paralysed by fear, as soon as they reach the start of the north face: a day ruined because Iparla is inaccessible, and hello to the detours needed to make up for it.
The problem lies at points 4 to 7)
4 to 6: The path is very narrow (10 cm, so you must place one foot in front of the other), often sloping and therefore unstable.
If you’re prone to vertigo, turn back.
There’s nothing to hold on to or cling to (fern thickets).
On the right, if you lose your balance, it’s a disaster.
At the small stream (waterfall), it’s quite simply a death trap.
6: Then comes the chimney. It’s steep, stony, unstable and therefore dangerous.
So yes, the locals tend to play down the danger, but this site allows people from all walks of life to explore the area.

Otherwise: the Pic d’Iparla is pure bliss.
You absolutely must do it, but preferably starting from the Fronton de Bidarray, and continuing to the far end of the massif before turning back, or else from Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry to the ruined sheepfolds… That route is suitable for everyone.

I’ll say it again: I don’t wish to cause any harm to G70, the publisher – who is, of course, well-meaning – but I can’t let them downplay the danger of this route.
Not everyone has the ability to tackle such difficulties.
G70, you must be clear in the route description – someone could fall.

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Date of your route : Aug 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The walk began at around 5.30 pm on a lovely sunny day (which is why the route was quiet, as most walkers had already left).

I had a bit of trouble finding the starting point due to a lack of mobile signal towards the end; I managed to reach the starting point thanks to the Visorando app, which can work without a signal using just GPS
There were no problems with parking, as there is a designated area for this.

The start of the walk is fairly peaceful up to point 3 and involves the swarm of midges mentioned by many walkers. I used User 4402025’s tip by tucking a fern leaf under my hat.

From there, the path climbs very steeply through some incredible scenery, leading up to the final ascent (there are quite a few paths, and I strayed a little from the planned route).

And when you reach the ridges, it’s a real treat: an incredible 360° panorama of other ridges, Gorramendi, Baïgurra, Rhune in the distance… A lovely reward after all that effort. The walk along the ridges is pure delight.

The return journey was a bit less pleasant, with a section on a concrete path.
I’ll definitely do it again, taking my time and trying to cover even more ridges.

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Date of your route : Aug 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A walk undertaken on a hot August day. The start of the ascent takes place through woodland on a gentle slope. A swarm of flies followed us right until we emerged from the woodland. A quick tip to keep them at bay: hold a fern leaf in front of your face. Once out of the woodland, the path climbs steeply up to a small pass. From there, the route traverses beneath the ridges; the view is magnificent. There are a few exposed sections, then you reach the foot of the chimney. Climbing the chimney isn’t particularly difficult – you may need to use your hands at times – but it’s very, very steep. Once on the ridge, there’s a clear 360° view. You get a real sense of vertigo if you get too close to the edge. It’s possible to veer off the GR trail if you’re afraid of heights. The descent isn’t particularly interesting – more swarms of flies and more ferns in your face :-). A good part of it follows a concrete track suitable for vehicles. I’d brought 3 litres of water for the two of us; with the heat, we finished the hike with nothing left.
To sum up, a challenging 15-kilometre hike with a significant elevation gain. The views both below and over the ridges are incredible, and that makes the effort feel easier.

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Date of your route : May 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The Iparla ridges offer magnificent views, and there are several possible starting points. This one is challenging; the final climb is steep and difficult over rocky ground. Once at the top, the view is marvellous. I had a bit of trouble following the start of the descent, but it was the final stretch of the return journey – with lots of fallen trees – that made it particularly tricky for me at times to find my way back. I completed the hike in 5 hours 30 minutes, covering 17.4 km with an elevation gain of 1,274 m.

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Date of your route : May 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We hiked the Iparla ridges, starting from the Besasagarra farm.
Instead of using the ‘terminus’ car park, we drove up a hard shoulder just opposite the start point. My tip: open the Visorando app on your phone when you arrive by car and check your location on the map. Once you reach S/E, you’ll see a hard shoulder where you can park.
After that, it’s quite a steep climb right from the start, along stony paths or a tarmac “road”. Be careful: when you reach the first flat section, near the ruined sheepfolds, the path straight ahead is marked with a cross and a sign indicates you should turn left towards the sheepfolds. However, the ridges and the Visorando route indicate straight ahead. During the walk, we followed the signposting, and I realised later that we were below a large field with a steep climb. We cut across to rejoin the route. So do make sure you follow the Visorando GPS coordinates.
Afterwards, once at the top, it’s MAGNIFICENT – a must-do.

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Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely 5-hour walk, including a meal at the summit and several photo stops. We followed the route in the direction indicated. This is the preferred route as it involves a steep climb and a tricky section to reach the ridge, though there are no major difficulties. At the summit, there’s a breathtaking 360-degree view – the climb is quickly forgotten when you see it. Afterwards, it’s a gentle walk along the ridge before a descent that poses no real difficulty.

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Date of your route : Mar 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Caution: final climb via a fairly technical chimney. Not suitable for those prone to vertigo.

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Date of your route : Feb 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is great with a fantastic view at the end when the weather is good. It was our first hike of the year, a real treat, but you do need to be in decent physical shape, especially for the chimney section, which sometimes requires you to use your hands and not be afraid of heights. We had to cross a small stream after the rain. The point mentioned as the refuge is actually a small summer sheepfold. I recommend it (high-top walking boots are strongly recommended).

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Date of your route : Feb 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off on a Saturday when the weather was fine, at around 11am. There were already lots of cars in the car park...
It took us 4 hours and 15 minutes, including breaks.
It is a very beautiful hike, with varied trails: forests, paths, ridges, etc. The scenery is magnificent, and we had views of the ridges throughout the hike. It is important to note that this hike is quite demanding, especially before the ascent of the Iparla Pass. The climb is quite steep and technical (with quite a few rocks, so don't hesitate to use your hands), but it is easily manageable for people in good physical condition.
Once you reach the summit, the Pic d'Iparla at 1,044 metres, you have a splendid view of the Basque coast and the other peaks in the surrounding area: Baigura, Artzamendi, La Rhune, etc.
I highly recommend this hike, but be sure to check the weather forecast beforehand as it can be very windy at the summit, and the trails can be slippery and dangerous in wet weather.

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Date of your route : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For my first hike in the region, I was not disappointed by the scenery.
However, some sections are more physically demanding than others, particularly the descent down the chimney to get back down to earth.
I'd say it's intermediate level because I think you need to have done a bit of hiking before attempting it: the elevation gain is over 1,000 metres. For beginners, that's quite a lot 😊

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Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This challenging hike must be done in the direction indicated, as the final climb to the ridge is particularly steep. Good weather is also essential. The view from the top of Iparla is exceptional, even if it was a little foggy on the day of the hike.
At the Harrietako pass, where you leave the ridge to begin the final descent, there is a water source 300 metres away on the Spanish side, continuing southwards.

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Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

On Ascension Thursday, there were quite a few people on this hike. Then the GR10 hikers joined us on the ridges. Personally, at 70 years of age, the climb to the Iparla Pass was difficult. I'm glad I made it, probably for the last time. The beautiful weather on Thursday treated us to some stunning scenery. However, it's worth pointing out that the start of this hike is in the hamlet of Bastida, on the right-hand side of the road from Bayonne to Saint-Etienne de Baigorry.

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Date of your route : Nov 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This is a fairly technical hike and should not be attempted in wet weather as it is too dangerous, or if you are afraid of heights.
Passages 4 and 5 are very narrow and require caution, as there is a drop below.
Between 6 and 7, final ascent, climbing passage with only rock or stone that can be slippery even in dry weather, as it faces south.
On the ridges, take great care with the rocks and stones (ankles).
9: to leave the GR10, the markings no longer exist, so pay close attention to the trail.

Hike completed alone in 2 hours 58 minutes without poles.

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Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, taking around 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete this route, stopping to enjoy the views along the way. Remember to bring your binoculars, as there are many birds of prey, including vultures.
There is a steep wall to climb, between 6 and 7, where you have to hold on tight and don't hesitate to use your hands. Once you've passed it, the path becomes an easy stroll.
Avoid in wet weather, as the end is particularly slippery.

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