Ascent to La Rhune from the station at Col de Saint-Ignace

Park in the La Rhune train car park at Col de Saint-Ignace.

(S) Go behind the station.

(1) Follow the access road to the Rhune railway workshops on the right.

(2) Cross the rack railway track: cross the rails with caution, as there is no suitable crossing. Then follow the path through a wooded area, which winds around twice before returning to the edge of the forest.

(3) Continue up the steeper slope, following the edge of the woods: the ground may be slippery in places.

(4) Start climbing the stairs: some steps are damaged or missing, so take care and find a secure foothold. Reach the start of the plateau, at the Mouiz entrenched camp:a short detour to the camp offers a nice first view of the entire valley.

(5) Continue along the plateau, which offers a first glimpse of the landscape.

(6) Cross the Ruisseau des Trois Fontaines stream, which marks the end of the plateau: take a short break here before leaving. Continue westwards, cross a small wooded area and arrive at a crossroads.

(7) Take the path on the left, pass a small pass, and follow the southbound path.

(8) Begin the final ascent, with more or less tight hairpin bends. The path winds to ease the effort and becomes very rocky as you approach the summit. Return to the rack railway.

(9) Turn right to follow the railway line, staying strictly on the path: it is forbidden to walk on the tracks. Just before reaching the arrival station, cross over, paying attention to trains approaching the summit, and reach the summit (E).

The Rhune hike is quite busy, especially on weekends and during the high season, creating a lively atmosphere on the trails. At the summit, several restaurants and eateries allow you to enjoy a meal while taking in the panoramic views.

For the return journey, it is possible to take the train from the station, but the ticket price remains high compared to walking.

It takes about 2½ hours for an average hiker, and you can walk back down the same way in about 2 hours.