Otsondottiki from Urdax

This loop is known as SL-NA-15 Otsondottiki. It climbs from the Urdax monastery to the Otsondottiki Pass on a forestry route.

Otsondottiki means little Otsondo in Basque, the Col d'Otsondo (pass) being situated a little higher up.

The white and green markers are clearly visible and the route is unambiguous.

The route is not particularly difficult.

Details

3198396
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 368 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 364 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 459 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 96 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Coss the border at Dantxaria. Continue on N-121-B then turn right onto NA-4402 towards Urdax. Park near the monastery.

(S/E) Head North-East and cross the Nivelle, which on this stretch is called Ugarana. Turn right to follow the river until you reach a junction.

(1) Turn left, then right, staying on the wide track, ignoring the path which goes straight ahead.
The path climbs steeply upwards; it corresponds to the Baztan route to Santiago de Compostela (in Basque, Baztango Donejakue bidea).

(2) Just before the edge of the wood, turn right and leave the Camino de Santiago. The path climbs to a ridge.

(3) Follow the green and white signposts on the ridge to the left, then descend on the South-East flank to join the Camino de Santiago.

(4) Follow it right to the pass.

(5) Turn right onto the path which descends on the West side, then continues down the ridge in a North-westerly direction towards a building.

(6) Fork right and stay on this wide path, ignoring two right-hand switchbacks until you reach a T-junction.

(7) Turn right and descend slowly along the Nivelle to the fork in the road.

(E) Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 98 m - Parking at the Urdax monastery
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 102 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : km 1 - alt. 205 m - Right-hand pin
  4. 3 : km 2.1 - alt. 368 m - Turn left onto the path through the ferns
  5. 4 : km 2.91 - alt. 426 m - Saint-Jacques road junction
  6. 5 : km 3.82 - alt. 459 m - Collar - Otsondottiki
  7. 6 : km 4.95 - alt. 376 m - Pass near a building
  8. 7 : km 7.09 - alt. 185 m - T-crossing
  9. S/E : km 8.35 - alt. 99 m - Parking at the Urdax monastery

Notes

No water except at the start.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
User 8009887

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this superb route, mostly under trees, with a few views of the ocean. The elevation gain is fairly consistent, the climb is a little steep but still easy if you go at your own pace. Very pleasant at this time of year.
The route is well marked and easy to follow.
An excellent short hike!

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alainlabarrere
alainlabarrere

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The only downside for those who find it hard to get their feet under them when it's cold is that from the start, the climb is steep on tarmac for around 500 metres. Otherwise, it's a very pleasant walk, whatever the season.

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camo29
camo29

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We took this route in the opposite direction to what is described in this text and we were well advised, as the climb in the direction indicated is rather steep! In our opinion, it was perfect, a pleasant 3h1/2 hour walk in the shade. But there's hardly ever a view, so this is a walk to do in warm weather to take advantage of the shade.

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xajmrando
xajmrando

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

indicate that it is possible to take the route de st jcques for those who do not want to walk 3 km uphill continuously

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Fanfan5685
Fanfan5685

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy walk, accessible to all, even families

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bduduche
bduduche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

very nice hike, superb views and, what's more, some great vines

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Robert D
Robert D

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly short walk with no particular difficulties

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