The Exkax and Putrarrita peaks from Eskas

The start of this hike is located in the Aiako Harria Nature Reserve at a place called Askas, where one of the park rangers’ houses is situated. To get there, see the Practical Information section below.

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the tarmac road leading downhill and follow it.

(1) Leave the tarmac road and take the path branching off to the right, then immediately look out for the small path on the left that climbs into the forest. In practice, this path is easily lost as you are in the forest and the ground is covered in leaves. You must therefore climb off-trail, using the faint track as a guide, with a rocky outcrop at the top serving as a landmark.

(2) At the top, you’ll come to a first wide path heading left. Follow it a few metres to the right to find a second wide path leading uphill, and take this to reach the summit of Exkax at an altitude of 727 m, marked only by a tiny cairn.

(3) Continue downwards. You will reach a barely visible junction of various paths; take the small path straight ahead. You will reach the summit of Putrarrita at an altitude of 712 m. There is nothing really to distinguish it apart from a small copse.

(4) Begin the descent and reach a crossroads.

(5) Take a wide path on the left which leads to the tarmac track. Descend first, then return to the spot where you left it.

(1) Then head back up to the car park (S/E).

For information, the rating established by the French Hiking Federation (FFR) is as follows: IBP = 23, length = 3.5 kilometres and elevation gain = 123 m. These figures may differ from those given by Visorando; in this case, always use the higher figures to get an idea of the hike’s difficulty.

Access by car: Head for Altzibar on the south bank of the Oiartzun River. Follow the GI-3631 towards Artikutza and the Aiako Harria Nature Park. Drive for 16 km along a narrow, winding road which ends at a place called Eskas, where you will find the Aiako Harria Park rangers’ house (Casa del Guarda). Park in the car park there.