Manttale and the Redoute du Zigzag

de fr

A route starting from Ibardin that climbs up to Mantalle (or Menddalé), where the Redoute de la Baïonnette is located; this was part of the Rhune fortifications used during battles, particularly against the coalition led by Wellington.
From the ridge, there are magnificent views in both directions.

Details

n°2817394
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.85 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 338 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 336 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 572 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 255 m
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Photos

The Bidasoa Valley
The Basque coast

Description of the walk

Head towards the Col d'Ibardin, cross the shopping district and continue up to Venta Elizalde. Park in the car park opposite the venta.

(S/E) Take the track that starts further to the left behind the Venta (south-west). Ignore the paths branching off to the right.

(1) At the crossroads, take the first path on the right (grassy) which climbs steeply. Pass a forest on your right and climb up to the ridge. Then turn left onto the ridge path

(2) Cross the hilltop (there is a cubic stone marker) and descend the opposite slope after crossing the hilltop; 100 m further on, cross another promontory (also with a cubic marker)
Continue descending for about 100 m

(3) Turn right onto the path that runs along the hillside and join theGR®10(red and white markings). Descend to the left.

(4) Leave theGR®10via the path branching off to the right. Descend to Lake Choldokogaina (or Lake Ibardin).

(5) Turn right onto the path that runs alongside the lake.

(6) At the crossroads, turn sharply right onto the track leading up towards the Col d'Ibardin.

(7) At the fork, turn right onto a path that climbs more directly back towards the starting point. This will take you back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 406 m - Car park at Venta Elizalde
  2. 1 : km 0.89 - alt. 480 m - Crossroads – grassy path to the right
  3. 2 : km 1.63 - alt. 572 m - Redoute du Zigzag - Manttale
  4. 3 : km 1.85 - alt. 545 m - Path on the right
  5. 4 : km 3.45 - alt. 321 m - Path on the right towards the lake
  6. 5 : km 4.15 - alt. 261 m - Lake Choldokogaina
  7. 6 : km 5.55 - alt. 299 m - Crossroads
  8. 7 : km 5.91 - alt. 314 m - Fork - Path to the right
  9. S/E : km 6.85 - alt. 406 m - Car park at Venta Elizalde

Notes

There is no drinking water along the route, so you must bring your own.

In the Ventas district, you’ll find everything you need to buy provisions for a picnic, including fine local produce such as sheep’s cheese (ardi gasna in Basque) and Iberian ham; there are also reasonably priced restaurants and even a cider house.

Worth a visit

The word ‘zigzag’, formerly spelled ‘bayonnette’, comes from Bayonne, a town where there were many cutlery workshops in the 16th and 17th centuries (source: Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Le Robert).

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Hugues Le Brer
Hugues Le Brer
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Extraordinary landscapes between sea and mountains, views from Fontarrabie to Cape Breton, over the Three Crowns and the Pyrenees mountain range... No one around during the week or in the evening... One of the easiest and most beautiful walks...

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xantald
xantald

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike

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Hervé Bignon
Hervé Bignon

I’ve taken these comments on board; it’s true that I lead my walking groups along this route with my eyes closed, so I can sometimes forget to mention certain details along the way.

Thank you for these comments, which will help improve the route for future hikers

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Martine et Patrick
Martine et Patrick

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant and easy walk with wonderful views of the coast. After the summit of Manttalé, you need to turn right fairly quickly; the path isn’t very visible. However, there are plenty of people on the GR and you can see the walkers below.
After the lake, there are several paths leading off to the right; you need to continue to the junction with the yellow signs and follow the sign for “retour lac” (back to the lake), which is rather odd as you’re actually heading back towards Ibardin.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for the information you have provided regarding this hike.
We hope the author will take this into account and update the information.

See you soon

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randopulpe
randopulpe

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The estimated walking time is indeed 2 hours 45 minutes
One clarification, however: I think it would be useful to specify the following in the description: after crossing the redoubt (there is a cubic stone marker), you switch to the other side of the slope and, 100 metres further on, you reach another promontory (also a cubic marker) which you cross. The path that heads off down the hillside is located about 100 m to the right as you descend. (Indeed, as the description currently stands, it was difficult to find).
Best regards

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