Lesaka walks

A circular walk that passes over the summit of Kopako Harria and overlooks Lake Endara.

A beautiful loop from the charming village of Vera de Bidassoa with a magnificent view of La Rhune on the way up and a pleasant descent through the forest.

Discovery of an old mine and access routes via numerous tunnels that had been dug into the mountain. All this in the forest of the Aiako Harria (Aia Mountains in Basque) nature park, also known as the Three Crowns.

A stroll along the Domiko Canal then a descent to Embalse de Endara before returning to the start via the GR®11.

Short walk with beautiful views of the Three Crowns and Lake Endara on the Errenga River.

A round trip to the first two summits of the Three Crowns, plus a third as a preamble. For the less adventurous, the climb to Txurrumurru requires crossing a rocky bar that can be tricky. Nevertheless, it's worth the effort to reach the narrow passage between two boulders that gives a view of Lake Endara. Going to the last summit, Erroilbide, is much trickier and requires experience, which is why it is not mentioned in this itinerary.

A magnificent loop through the Artikutxa park, taking in the splendour of the beech forest and the panoramic view of the Navarre mountains via Bianditz.

What more could you ask for in the coastal area of the Southern Basque Country: mountainous landscape, granite terrain and a ridge path! The Three Crowns massif offers three peaks to explore. We will start this route with Erroilbide, then Txurrumurru and finally Irumugarrieta. The view is magnificent, with a 360° panorama of the Southern Basque Country and the Labour coastline stretching as far as the Landes. The route along the ridge includes passages, in couloirs and on slabs, which must be negotiated with caution.Some passages require the use of your hands. There is a fixed ring on the ascent to Txurrumurru. Not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo.

A circular route to discover three peaks overlooking the Basque coast to the north and the Bidasoa valley to the south.

Lake Xoldokogaina, also known as Lake Ibardin, is located at an altitude of 330 m in the Arola Valley, surrounded by the Xoldo, Munhoa and Onéaga mountains. It was created in the early 1930s as a water reserve. Swimming and fishing are prohibited. A hike starting from the car park, below the ventas (traditional Basque restaurants) when arriving from the pass, provides access to the lake and offers beautiful views of the Basque coast and the surrounding mountains. The trail crosses pastureland where you may encounter pottoks and betisoak. The Ibardin Pass offers exceptional views of the Spanish and French Pyrenees. The site is ideal for relaxing by the water or enjoying a picnic.

A beautiful hike that combines superb views and varied trails. Definitely do it in good weather to enjoy the landscapes that await you.

Short walk around the Arditurri mines.Lovely undergrowth with numerous small streams and paths.When the weather's fine, you'll have a view of San Sebastien Bay and its rocky outcrop.

A beautiful hike from a delightful Basque-Spanish village over the passes, with magnificent views on both sides of the border.

A pretty loop near the town of Irun to climb to the summit of San Martial, then on to the Ermita de San Martial with its exceptional view over the bay of Txingudi.Please note: due to the presence of numerous hunting posts, this hike should not be attempted during the pigeon hunting season.

Signposted loop on the SL-GI-1006 trail which passes at the foot of the Aitzondo waterfall and along the Irugurutzeta kilns. Apart from the incline at the start and the staircase to follow, the rest of the hike is a pleasant, mostly shaded walk with no major difficulties. The spectacle of the great waterfall is magnificent for those who manage to get close enough.

Lovely walk with views of San Sebastian, the Basque coast, the Trois Couronnes, La Rhune and a visit to a remarkable cromlech site.

We start by climbing to the summit of Munagirre (781 m), then follow a path through streams, small waterfalls and a beech forest, discovering the fairly recent ruins of the old Artikutza train, or very old ruins with cromlechs and superb views, either of the coast or of the peaks of the Three Crowns.

Starting from Biriatou, climb Xoldoko Gaina and its tower. This hike takes you quickly up the Basque Coast, with views of La Rhune, the 3 Couronnes and the Côte d'Argent in the Bay of Biscay. The return journey is along the Bidassoa.

A short hike up Mont du Calvaire above Biriatou, with views of Xingudi Bay and the Basque coast.

Walk from the San Martial hermitage with panoramic views on both sides of the border.To be avoided during the hunting season, as the path is lined with pigeon shoots.

Nice hike to the top of La Rhune, along the pigeon fields, on the south side, avoiding the crowds and the little cogwheel train.

A beautiful loop that climbs up to Xoldoko Gaina, then descends to the Col d'Osin (Osingo Lepoa), passes through the Col des Poiriers (Pitare), an area rich in monoliths, and returns along the side of Xoldo, skirting the lake.

This is a very easy hike that starts at the foot of the Col d'Ibardin next to the old customs house, climbs up to the pass and descends on the side facing the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. It is called the Sentier des Mulets (Mule Trail) in reference to the convoys of mules that once criss-crossed the mountain to carry all kinds of goods, not necessarily declared at customs, across the border. For the record, Pierre Loti's novel Ramuntcho, written in Ascain, recounts these stories of smugglers.

Lake Ibardin with a detour that has become mandatory since crossing the dam is no longer permitted.We therefore descend along the left bank of the stream to complete a true circular loop.

A beautiful hike offering superb views of the surrounding peaks and the ocean in the distance. In addition, you will pass through a fascinating archaeological site.

This is a short version of the pidgeon hunting hut circuit (the long version starts at the bottom of the valley). Starting from the pass, the elevation gain is greatly reduced, but this does not detract from the magnificent views of the surrounding peaks, the valleys (French and Spanish) and the coast (Basque and Landes) in the distance. Information boards also provide a better understanding of wood pigeon hunting.

This route starts at the Lizarieta Pass and goes around Ibanteli without passing through the Xokobia car park (the lowest point of a long loop). It offers the possibility of a half-day hike, without missing out on the magnificent views of the Basque valley and some legendary peaks.

A hike in the heart of nature, with views of either the sea or the mountains, but also offering the chance to discover dolmens and a fortified camp dating back to Napoleon.

Climb to the summit of Ciboure Mountain to discover the Basque Coast via the Insola forest.

La Petite Rhune, passing by the Yasola venta, offers an unusual view of La Rhune. Follow this trail towards the Col de Kizkuitz to discover an unusual feature of the Rhune massif. The return to the Col des Trois Fontaines will allow you to seek out the little secrets of the Ihizelai rocky plateau.

Very close to the town of Irun, this route takes you into the heart of nature, where you can breathe in the fresh air far from the traffic. You will climb a small hill, but you will also learn a little history as you discover an ancient tower that was once used to defend the town of Irun.

A beautiful route to discover La Rhune in all its glory.

Starting from the small village of Sunbilla in the Bidassoa valley south of Vera, this is a pretty, technically easy circular on beautiful tracks except for one short section. There is a small campsite on the heights above the village.

A hike that will lead you to one of the primary summits of the Pyrenees, offering you a view over the entire Basque country, French and Spanish.

La Rhune in a wide loop below Miramar. A little-used path to the Col des Trois Fontaines. A little longer, but easy and with much better views.

This is a short walk we did in October to discover the Esnaur and then gather some chestnuts along the pretty Arraioko Erreka stream.

A short detour takes you past the bottom of Esnaur, then Suhalmendi and finally up Bizkarzun, two peaks in Ascain dominated by the Rhune.

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.

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.

A double loop around Bizkartzun allows you to discover this often overlooked waterfall.

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.

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.

A beautiful walk to a "secret" valley in the Jaizkibel, with difficult access, but you're rewarded at every turn by the shapes of the rocks and their different colours, so much so that the Spaniards call it the valley of "los colores".But this is quite a demanding walk, and you need to be careful not to slip, as there are some tricky passages.

A very beautiful loop with a stunning view of Mount Jaïzkibel and the magnificent Spanish Basque coastline with its faults, valley of colours, Paramoundras and swimming pool. Difficult passages (equipped with ropes). For experienced hikers only.