Orègue walks

On a sunny plateau overlooking the Bidouze river, Arancou is a village with white walls and a remarkable architectural and human heritage. A historic stop on one of the hiking trails to Santiago de Compostela, the Via Turonensis, Arancou built its reputation around a hospital-priory that welcomed pilgrims from the 13thcentury onwards. There are also a few mansions, once dedicated to hospitality, whose architectural details can still be appreciated. In the village, the Church of Notre-Dame is also worth a visit for its style, which combines a long Romanesque plan with Gothic vaults and capitals. Along the trails, the surrounding hills promise fresh air in the forest, where you can see beautiful hundred-year-old oak trees, while the Bidouze valley offers peace and quiet and cool riverbanks.

There are several routes to the summit of Baigura, one of the Basque Country's most iconic peaks, renowned for its exceptional views. Starting from the village of Hélette, the climb is very varied. From the last houses to the nearby groves, it feels like you're setting off on a short walk to get some fresh air among the ferns. Then, as the morning light begins to gild the slopes of Erregelu and Ursuia, you find yourself drawn into a more ambitious hike, the view of the surrounding valleys becoming more beautiful as you gain height. Following a mountain path close to the ridges, the promontories follow one after the other and the summit of Erregelu, which seemed so far away, is now within reach. From its paragliding launch site, Baigura is already close by, and all that remains is to enjoy the panoramic view.

A round trip on the south bank of the Bidouze from Guiche.

BaÏgura is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the north of the Basque Country, with a 360° view of the mountains and the surrounding plain. Unfortunately, like many peaks, it is dotted with antennas, but they are very useful... It is a favourite spot for paragliders who jump from the top of the north face.

Far to the north, Mount Ursuya offers magnificent views of the Basque and Béarn mountains, the plain and the valleys of Piedmont.

This hike has an ideal profile, with a steep but steady climb and a gentle descent with beautiful landscapes to admire. The 360° view of Bégura is magnificent

Loop passing through Mount Ursuya, a peak jutting out from the hills.

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

Here's another way to do a nice loop in Ursuya. This hike is always on open ground on wide paths with magnificent views from the start to the summit. The end of the return journey is via the Iramalda and Harrixuri ridges with Cambo-les-Bains in front of you and, further away, Bayonne and, of course, the coast. On the left, you can see La Rhune, Mondarrain, Artzamendi, etc.

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.

This is a lovely route for enjoying peaceful, magnificent views of the modest but beautiful Basque hills and, above all, the Penas d'Ichusi.

This hike to the summit of Larla from Satali avoids the steep climb from Saint-Martin-d'Arrossa. You can learn about the mining activity that once took place here and enjoy superb views of the surrounding peaks.

Le Larla, 705 m, is a magnificent viewpoint over the mountains surrounding Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry, Saint-Jean-Pie-de-Port and the entire eastern face of Iparla with its majestic ridge.

A superb circuit that passes in front of the Gapelu amphitheatre (one of the most majestic sites in the Basque Country according to Miguel Angulo) and through the Col d'Iparla, which is a tough climb but is rewarded on reaching the ridges with a vast panorama stretching from the sea to the peaks of Orhy and Anie...

This is a beautiful hike that allows you to discover the Iparla ridges without having to climb the various peaks.