Mendive walks

Every autumn, the Col d'Urtzategiak is gripped by ‘blue fever’. It affects a large part of the local population. The hunters are all perched on the ridges, in the trees, watching for the migration of the wood pigeon.

Seen from a distance, the silhouette of Behorleguy gives the impression of an enormous peak and of being difficult. In fact, this is misleading and when you arrive on its southern face, it has a rather rounded shape. It is an enormous limestone fold that heralds the Arbailles massif. Magnificent view from the summit with the Pic des Escaliers to the south and the Arbailles massif to the north.. At the Col d'Aphanize, you can see a vertical chasm 500 m deep, one of the deepest chimneys in the world.

The D'esternguibel valley is a wild site in Lower Navarre. Its steep sides are bristling with ridges and peaks. Iraukotuturu is the highest peak. To reach it, head for the Errékaxaro pass and from there follow a path carved into the rock in places, which was once used for transhumance of sheep.

From the Nive de Béhérobie in Estérençuby, head up one of its tributaries, the Bihurriko Erreka, to discover the peaceful heights where shepherds and their sheep reign supreme. The Azketa huts are inhabited during the summer grazing season. They shelter beautiful Basque-Béarnaise horned sheep. These pastures are also popular with pottoks, the small Basque horses.

The Iramendy ridge is bristling with poudingue peaks (conglomerate of round pebbles). From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, this gives it the appearance of a dinosaur. Climbing to the summit via this ridge from north to south requires a bit of scrambling (level 2 lower). The proposed hike climbs to the summit via the other ridge. No difficulties other than the total elevation gain and a few steep sections. Magnificent 360° view of the surrounding mountains.

A sublime hike along part of the historic Way of St James. The weight of history is on your shoulders, but it feels light as the arrival at the Virgin of Orisson is so beautiful. A long climb on unpaved ground with a steady slope through the summer pastures of the Basque Country does not spoil the pleasure, especially as the path is shaded.

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.

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.

The forty-sixth stage of the Camino de Santiago. A physically demanding stage, featuring the ascent of the Pyrenees, splendid views of the surrounding Basque Country if the weather permits, free-roaming herds, a sense of being high up, and the excitement of crossing into Spain. After a long, steep descent, you arrive at the Monastery of Roncesvalles. Given the altitude of the finish point and the cool temperatures, I preferred the monastery dormitory to camping. From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a whole new journey begins. The landscapes are no longer the same, nor are the pilgrims. From here on, there are ten times as many people on the paths. Very few French people and lots of Koreans, Australians, Americans, Filipinos and, of course, Spaniards. From here on, you have to speak Spanish or English or use Google Translate. But you always manage to make yourself understood and get by. That’s the magic of the Camino de Santiago.

Step back in time as you discover a unique heritage, walking along centuries-old cobblestones and enjoying the view of the Pyrenees – this is how you’ll discover the authentic town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. I visited this town at the end of the final French stage of my Camino de Santiago, after 47 days of walking.

Even if you are not a pilgrim on your way to Compostela, you will enjoy this pretty little tourist town in Lower Navarre, built on the banks of the Nive de Béhérobie. Let me give you a little guided tour.

A hike around Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to discover a unique feature of Basque architecture in this part of Navarre, then share a "piece of the journey" with pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

A lovely walk that takes you through a variety of landscapes, including open tracks, forest, pastures and, finally, vineyards.

You will discover an oak forest and pass through the Irouleguy vineyard with a panoramic view of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and its surroundings. A very pleasant hike that will take you to the Pic de l'Arradoy. The small flower-lined path leading up to it is very pleasant before entering the damp, cool forest. Very pleasant in spring and summer as the hike is mostly shaded.

A beautiful stage in the Pyrenean foothills along country lanes.

Starting from the pretty little village of Bunus, this hike off the beaten track allows you to discover a pastoral mountain offering an original panorama of the Larceveau valleys and the sources of the Bidouze. The village of Bunus has the particularity of being "cut" in two by the D918 road. The town hall is therefore quite far from the church district, the starting point of this route. Be sure to visit the church porch, where you can see three ancient tombs.

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.

This is a beautiful walk. It crosses the largest beech forest in Europe. From the summit of Occabé, the highest point in the Iraty Forest, the view is magnificent. Below, there is a large necropolis of Neolithic shepherds. It has around twenty well-preserved cromlechs. They date back to 1000 BC and are a kind of circle in the middle of which the ashes of the dead were placed.

A magnificent and varied hike that allows you to discover the mysterious Occabé cromlechs. After a climb in the shade of a beautiful beech forest, you arrive at the beautiful Occabé plateau with its horses, cows, sheep and famous cromlechs. The view across the plateau is magnificent, especially from the summit of Occabé, which rises to an altitude of 1,456 metres. Descend through the woods and return via a beautiful little path that runs alongside a river to the car park.

We thoroughly enjoyed this route, which I "invented" to change my usual habit of climbing almost straight up through the forest and descending almost the same way. A variety of landscapes and atmospheres are on the menu during this fairly leisurely 3½-hour walk. I have fond memories of passing by the stream and its blue-green pools, surrounded by meadows covered with spring flowers. It's as romantic as you could wish for. In short, you want to take your time here, so those who are keen on sporting achievements should refrain!

Occabé is the highest point on the Iraty plateau. It offers a 360° view of the Pyrenees mountain range. The Occabé plateau is home to the most extraordinary megalithic site in the Basque Country. The ascent and descent take you through the largest beech forest in Europe. It's beautiful everywhere.

This beautiful hike offers 360° views of many of the peaks of the Basque Country.

A very pleasant hike, not very difficult but offering magnificent views all along the route and, of course, at the summit: a 360° panorama. To the north-west, the coast and its towns, with Baigura and Ursuya in the foreground. To the west, Iparla. To the south-west, Jara with its antennas. To the south, Orhi and Bearn with the Pics d'Anie and Ossau.

A beautiful circular route on grassy slopes between 1,000 and 1,400 m takes you to an exceptional panorama, the ruins and the Roman tower, which rises to 1,423 m. A great moment and a great memory. GPS essential.

Variation of the GR®10 starting from the Iraty Campsite. Start in the undergrowth in a magnificent Basque beech forest, then walk through the mountain pastures with griffon vultures circling above. A peaceful short hike with magnificent views of the Pyrenees and the Basque Country. Please note that there are many animals roaming freely, so it is best not to bring your dog. As this hike does not return to the starting point, leave another vehicle at the Col de Bagargi.

This is a very beautiful hike which, once you reach the ridge between Arthanolatze and Pic des Escaliers, offers superb views of the Pyrenees on one side and the Arbailles forest and the landscapes stretching from Mauléon to Oloron and beyond on the other.

The Urkulu Trophy: this imposing stone tower is thought to have been built in Roman times to intimidate invaders of the powerful Roman army... even though it is located off the route from Bordeaux to Astorga via Pamplona.