Mauléon-Licharre walks

A beautiful stage that ends in a grand finale in a superb valley.

This beautiful circular loop in the foothills offers a wide variety of landscapes. Meadows with their traditional stone huts, woods and fern-filled glades dotted with pollarded oaks follow one another, not to mention the streams over which mills have been built. This allows one to better appreciate the riches of this multifaceted Basque agro-pastoral culture. There is no shortage of views: the nearby Arbailles karst massif, the flysch hills and the summit of La Madeleine, as well as the mountains of Haute-Soule.

This circular route allows you to discover a farming world that is still very much alive. The farms scattered across the valley floor are still in operation, with their numerous meadows. You can gain a better understanding of this multifaceted agro-pastoral culture as you cross the forests and then the pastures of the mid-mountains. The Saint-Antoine chapel overlooks the Col d'Osquich, a popular spot for wood pigeon hunting in autumn. From the summit, there is a breathtaking view of the Soule Valley, the Haute-Soule mountains, the Arbailles karst massif and Basse-Navarre.

A beautiful, easy route in the Basque Country, starting from the village of Ossas-Suhare. The route passes through the village of Suhare, nestled at the foot of the Arbailles massif, with views over the Soule countryside.

A lovely stage through Soule (Xiberoa) to its capital, Mauléon-Licharre (Maule-Lextarre).

To the east of the Saison valley, stretching from Mauléon to Tardets, a range of hills faces the Arbailles massif to the west and the imposing wall of the Pyrenees mountain range, dominated by the Pic d’Anie to the south. The summit of Erretzü marks the furthest point of this range. This position affords it a breathtaking view of the mountains of Béarn and Haute-Soule. The route is very varied. It starts in the undergrowth alongside a lovely stream, then emerges into open ground through fern-filled glades dotted with pollarded oaks. Like the ferns that cover it, the summit changes colour with the seasons, eventually cloaking itself in a flamboyant red in autumn.

This walk via the Col d’Oxibar offers a particularly interesting feature: it opens up the Arbailles karst massif. The geology lends the landscape a distinctive character – at once mysterious and unique – with a cultural dimension rooted in protohistory. After passing through a small wood, the first open slopes already offer a lovely view of the ‘Ibar Esküin’ valley, Alcay, Lacarry and the high mountain ranges of Soule and Béarn. Even at this stage, the nature of the ground gives an indication of this type of limestone terrain, leading to a beautiful promontory where several piles of stones are heaped up: ‘Maide Korralea’, a testament to Soule’s ancient history. After the Oxibar Pass, on the descent, admire the old barn with its shingle roof, made of those old wooden tiles.

This hike takes you along one of the most beautiful sections of the Compostela trails in the Basque Country. You will pass by the Stele of Gibraltar at the crossroads of several paths and you can enjoy a stop at the open chapel of Soyarce, ideal for taking in the panorama of the Basque Pyrenees and for a picnic break.

Located between the provinces of Basse-Navarre and Soule, the secret Arbailles massif offers many attractions for curious hikers. This limestone massif is renowned for its karstic relief, which is ideal for caving. Located in the northern part of the massif, the Beltxu route offers beautiful views and a challenging and varied hike. The view stretches far into the distance and is well worth the extra effort.

This peaceful route through the woods offers walkers the chance to discover a rich natural heritage. The flora and fauna along the route are particularly rich, with white-backed woodpeckers, Alpine longhorn beetles, beautiful specimens of beech trees and a wide variety of ferns. In addition to these natural curiosities, information panels on Basque mythology are dotted along the route. Finally, the arrival at the source of the Bidouze and its resurgence in a porch carved into the cliff will delight young and old alike.

Forty-fifth stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage is the last of the French section. The ever-changing landscapes of the Basque Country, each more wonderful than the last, will leave you with unforgettable memories. By the time you arrive in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, you will have already covered approximately 1,150 kilometres in 45 days of walking, with 12,750 metres of elevation gain. Something to be proud of! Remember to visit the pilgrims’ reception office with your pilgrim’s passport to have your visit to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port certified, before crossing the Pyrenees, and to pick up useful information for your journey through Spain. Make the most of a rest day to recharge your batteries and enjoy the town, which is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France thanks to its typical and well-preserved Basque architecture, its green landscapes opening out onto the Pyrenees, and the expertise of its producers and craftspeople.

Forty-fourth stage of the Camino de Santiago. During this stage, you leave Béarn for the Basque Country. A very long stage, mostly along country roads and paths through woodland. As you do not pass through any large villages, it is best to stock up on provisions at the start.

A pleasant walk starting from a Basque village in Béarn. Beautiful views of the Pyrenees range from the Pic du Midi de Bigorre to the Pic d’Orhy. Marked trail, a little muddy at the start, with lovely houses on the ridges all along the route.

A short, easy walk next to the Aramits adventure park. Beautiful views over the plain and the mountains: Anie, Madeleine, etc. Picnics possible at the summit. The route alternates between woodland and meadows, with a few signposts except for the summit.

A lovely walk in the heart of the Soule Valley, starting from the small village of Etchebar. This extended version of the Etchebar loop offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Pyrenean mountains from the summit of Pic Salhagagne.

This walk takes you to the Bois de Gouloum around the Col de Bugalaran. This lovely route offers stunning views of the village of Aramits along beautiful hillside paths.

A beautiful, easy hike on Montagne d'Inchouriste from the village of Haux. A rocky ridge offering magnificent views of the Pyrenees and the surrounding mountains.

The Arbailles massif is one of the limestone ranges that lie just before the Pyrenees proper. Rising to an altitude of nearly 1,300 metres, this mountain offers a magical panorama of the border peaks. The proposed route winds its way through high-altitude pastures and dark forests, until it plunges into the heart of the massif, with plenty of sheep, cows and horses as companions on the walk.

A lovely route for exploring the village of Arette, partly along quiet country roads. You’ll discover pretty bridges and hidden paths in the heart of the village. The path offers little shade, but much of the route follows the stream.