The three peaks of Bizkarzun, Zuhalmendi and Esnaur

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These are three peaks, Bizkartzun, Zuhalmundi and Esnaur, clearly visible from Saint-Jean-de-Luz and located behind Ascain. Emblematic of the nearby hinterland, they each offer a superb 360° view of the coast, the Rhune and the Pyrenees further east.
This route takes you up these peaks one after the other on an easy trail with steep sections, flat sections, scree, a bit of tarmac and dirt tracks, all in a stunning setting.

Details

n°17904688
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 525 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 525 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 300 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5 m
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Photos

View of the route

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Roman bridge in Ascain.

(S/E) Cross the bridge over the stream next to the car park and continue north-east on the road that climbs up, Route d'Errotenea. Follow it until you reach a right-angle bend and turn right. Then take thethird street on the left onto Chemin de Karrika Zaharra. Follow it until you reach a junction with the Martikonea path. Turn right and after about 100 metres you will come to a path on your right.

(1) Continue along this path and cross the stream called Uzkaingo Erreka.

(2) Cross the stream again. Go up the path that winds along it and cross it again further on, then continue climbing. Leave a path on your left and you will soon reach a crossroads.

(3) Turn left towards Birkatzun. Once at the top, continue straight ahead on the path that descends.

(4) Cross the summit and take the path downhill. Begin another climb to pass the Martinhaurrenborda farm. Continue straight ahead and you will reach a gravel road (cross).

(5) Take this road straight ahead and you will reach a three-way junction.

(6) Leave the tarmac, continue along the grassy path opposite and reach the summit of Zuhalmundi.

(7) Turn right onto theGR®8marked in red and white. Continue for about 100 metres until you reach a four-way crossroads.

(8) Leave theGR® here and take the path opposite. Reach a redoubt (an old military structure), turn right and continue downhill to reach a car park at the junction with the D4 road.

(9) Leave the D4 on your left and take the middle road. Continue until you reach the Nausienborda farm, then continue uphill to the top of the Esnaur.

(10) Do not take the descent on the right but continue straight ahead, heading towards the coast, which is steep at first. At the entrance to Ascain, you will reach the Arraioa district.

(11) Take thesecond street on the left downhill and then find a path on the right that runs along the small stream.

(12) Follow it to the Roman Bridge car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Roman Bridge car park
  2. 1 : km 1.63 - alt. 27 m - Start of the trail
  3. 2 : km 2.02 - alt. 26 m - Uzkaingo Erreka stream
  4. 3 : km 2.61 - alt. 73 m - Change of direction
  5. 4 : km 3.01 - alt. 183 m - Bizkarzun
  6. 5 : km 4.52 - alt. 220 m - Chemin des Porcs Noirs
  7. 6 : km 5.44 - alt. 242 m - Three-way junction
  8. 7 : km 5.87 - alt. 300 m - Suhalmendi
  9. 8 : km 6.29 - alt. 247 m - GR crossroads
  10. 9 : km 7.77 - alt. 162 m - Parking
  11. 10 : km 8.92 - alt. 272 m - Esnaur
  12. 11 : km 9.97 - alt. 37 m - Arraioa
  13. 12 : km 10.33 - alt. 12 m - Crossroads
  14. S/E : km 10.82 - alt. 6 m - Roman Bridge car park

Notes

Part of the route follows yellow markings.

Worth a visit

(S/E) Continue to the Roman bridge, which is a little further (100 m) downstream.

(4) Enjoy the view of the surrounding area, the Nivelle valley and the Rhune. You will probably encounter Pottoks, the horses that live in freedom in the Basque mountains.

(5) Along this path, you will find open-air pigsties celebrating the Basque black pig. Enjoy!

(7) Enjoy the view of the Sare valley and the distant mountains to the east, notably the Autza (1,300 m), recognisable by its rounded summit.

(10) Enjoy the view towards the coast from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Hendaye and the Spanish mountains, the Three Crowns and Jaizkibel.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 22 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
lasserre
lasserre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful modified circuit, well laid out, interesting, not too demanding.
Thank you.
I'm adding it to my favourites

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Yohann_64
Yohann_64

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk in itself, but it's a shame there are so many disparities along the route... There are some passages that are almost impossible to cross without getting wet or performing acrobatics, and some very rough sections on one side, while on the other there are wide, flat tracks where you come across enduro motorbikes, cars and mountain bikes, and where the only point of interest is the presence of pigs, horses and sheep... Fortunately, they're there, though.
On the other hand, it's nice to have a different view of La Rhune!

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Soso64d
Soso64d

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We missed a section of the route at the beginning for Bizkartzun...so be careful!
A pleasant hike.

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Virgile 33
Virgile 33

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk, a few people in the easy sections, the last descent can be avoided by following the much easier path on the right

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Villette pascal
Villette pascal

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Some difficulties for novice hikers.

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Reivax33
Reivax33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent outing, a few climbs but nothing difficult. No one else there in the middle of summer except for animals.
Perfect GPS route.

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utsenea.stjeandeluz
utsenea.stjeandeluz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful route that takes you up a little way to admire the Rhune, other peaks and villages all the way to the coast. Encounters with local wildlife also add to the enjoyment of the route: Pottok horses, black pigs and sheep. Easy to do in the morning for hikers and very pleasant for families. Just be careful of the fords if it has rained heavily in the previous days.

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Volorando
Volorando

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, starting with narrow trails that make you wonder whether you're following a trail or animal tracks You have to pay attention so you don't get lost.
Then it's peaceful, with not two but three beautiful climbs, which you quickly forget with the panoramic views as a bonus. The icing on the cake was a griffon vulture that treated us to some magnificent gliding, less than 10 metres away, at the top of Zuhalmendi.
My meters showed an elevation gain of 561 metres.
It took 4 hours at a leisurely pace, including a lunch break. There were very few people on the route.
Thanks for sharing.

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Xavier Pradeau
Xavier Pradeau

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with stunning views and two big climbs.

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Vincent Lafori
Vincent Lafori

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent 😉

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Sand et steph
Sand et steph

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pretty hike
Magnificent view, but I think the distance and elevation gain need to be revised
12.17 instead of 9.72
533 m elevation gain instead of 494

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ATheMaBe
ATheMaBe

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, I went hiking yesterday in cloudy weather, so it wasn't hot, but very pleasant. Beautiful views practically all along the route, with the highlight being the summit of Esnaur (360-degree views, magnificent, stretching to the ocean and far to the north and south), and the route wasn't too busy.
The paths are stony and run downhill but nothing insurmountable, and grassy and easy on the hillside.
two small clarifications regarding the written description: luckily I followed the route summary on the app because the description lacks precision at points 1 and 6. At point 1, after the fence, the steep path is there, but the most visible and marked path is not the right one as it does not go to the top. You have to take the less clear path on the right that climbs up the hillside.
At point 6, you find yourself in undergrowth with lots of dead trees on the ground and several clear paths, as well as other hikers who are also looking for the way. We took the path on the left (note that it climbs very steeply) because going straight ahead seemed to take us further away from our destination (?).
Apart from these details, this is a very beautiful, accessible hike, which took 3 hours and 40 minutes including a long break. Worth doing again in good weather, making sure to take plenty of water!

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CharlesJ
CharlesJ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy hike, between shade and sun, along a cross-country path and through the forest, among pottoks (wild horses) and Kintoa pigs. Very pleasant.

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Montemar
Montemar

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Despite hiking in the middle of August during the Ascain festival, there was no "Champs Elysée" feeling. There were a few people on the easiest trails, near the black pig farm.
The 360° views offer a magnificent spectacle of both the ocean and the mountains inland.
The description is accurate and precise, even for people like us who are not very good at finding our way around.

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leonnais40
leonnais40

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done today, fairly easy to follow, but on the descent from the last summit, Esnaur (details 8), avoid taking the indicated path, which is rocky, steep and frankly not easy to descend. The descent to the right is much less steep and leads back to the same place.

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Other walks in the area

Walking La Rhune from the town of Ascain

Local authority
La Rhune depuis la commune d'Ascain
↔13.41 km ↗+893 m ↘-893 m ◔6h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Ascain (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Whether you are a regular or occasional hiker, the hike to the summit of La Rhune is a must, as this peak is omnipresent in the Labourd landscape. A real challenge for some, a breath of fresh air for others, La Rhune is a magnet that attracts walkers and trail runners, climbing up all its slopes. The steep and rocky trails require suitable equipment, so sandals can stay in your beach bag and be used on the way back from your walk. If the sky is clear, the panorama offered by this summit, with its foundations in the ocean, is vast, stretching from the beaches of the Landes to the first peaks of the Pyrenees.

Walking Circular of Suhalmendi and Bizkarzun from Ascain

Association / Club / Walk leader
Boucle du Suhalmendi et du Bizkarzun depuis Ascain
↔9.55 km ↗+336 m ↘-334 m ◔3h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ascain (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A short detour takes you past the bottom of Esnaur, then Suhalmendi and finally up Bizkarzun, two peaks in Ascain dominated by the Rhune.

Walking Uzkaingo Erreka waterfall

Association / Club / Walk leader
Cascade de l'Uzkaingo Erreka
↔7.04 km ↗+223 m ↘-221 m ◔2h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ascain (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A double loop around Bizkartzun allows you to discover this often overlooked waterfall.

Walking Esnaur from Ascain

Association / Club / Walk leader
Esnaur depuis Ascain
↔8.96 km ↗+353 m ↘-352 m ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ascain (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
This hike passes by a Basque pig farm, which produces Kintoa charcuterie and cured meats. Mount Esnaur offers a beautiful view of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ascain.

Walking A climb to Bizkartzun near Ascain

Visorando member
Une montée au Bizkartzun près d'Ascain
↔6.49 km ↗+280 m ↘-275 m ◔2h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Ascain (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Although the highest point is “only” 180 m above sea level, this is a lovely walk through the countryside, often alongside streams, with a beautiful waterfall to discover.

Walking The Col de Saint-Ignace trail in Ascain

Visorando member
Le sentier du Col de Saint-Ignace à Ascain
↔7.50 km ↗+238 m ↘-238 m ◔2h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Ascain (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A family hike through the forest, starting from the beautiful village of Ascain and ending at the Col de Saint-Ignace, a place famous for cyclists, but also because it is the starting point of the little rack railway that takes you up to La Rhune. This pass is very busy in summer.

Walking The Suhalmendi from Ascain

Visorando member
Le Suhalmendi depuis Ascain
↔8.24 km ↗+288 m ↘-286 m ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ascain (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
This hike takes you up the Suhalmendi for a magnificent 360° view of the Pyrenees and the ocean. You'll also discover the Basque pig that makes such delicious hams and other charcuterie. There's also a nice little picnic area where you can enjoy your picnic.

Walking Uzkaingo Erreka waterfall, Suhalmendi and Esnaur from Ascain

Visorando member
↔12.65 km ↗+560 m ↘-557 m ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ascain (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
This beautiful loop, which takes you from the bottom of the valley to the peaks of Suhalmendi and Esnaur via the Basque pig trail, will allow you to discover many facets of the Basque Country.

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