A short circular cross-border loop starting from the Col de Lizarrieta

Start from the Col de Lizarrieta: large car park with a hiking sign showing the route of this route.

Signposts are located at major junctions. Place names are always written in Basque on these signs.

Markings: green and white + red and white (sometimes summarised as three dashes: white-red-green)

(S/E) From the hiking signpost, head south-east along the SL-NA and GR®11 trails towards Xulinepo. Follow a track lined with ferns as it climbs gently. After a short descent, you’ll reach a crossroads.

(1) Continue straight ahead, veering slightly to the right, towards Nabarlasta, and descend along a path through the forest. Pass above a large, isolated building.

(2) Shortly afterwards, at the corner of a small building, turn sharply right. At the foot of the large building, turn left and descend steeply to a clearing. Then turn right and pass a large oak tree with a marker on it. Continue downhill.

(3) At a three-way junction, head off to the left, leaving a detached house on your right, and head uphill. Ignore a path coming from the left and continue along a gently sloping path that descends alongside a fence.

(4) Turn left towards Nabarlasta (two branches of the GR® split here). Immediately ignore a path branching off to the left and head gently downhill along the signposted track. Cross a stream (which may be dry) and head back uphill. Pass by the foot of an abandoned house on the left-hand side and continue along the track to a crossroads.

Green and White + Yellow markings (White-Yellow-Green)

(5) Turn slightly left (north) and climb amongst the ferns.

(6) At the signpost that appears shortly afterwards, take a track to the left (view of La Rhune on the right).

(7) You’ll soon come out onto another track; follow it to the left (ignore a path that climbs further to the left amongst the ferns). Climb gently, passing a fountain (dry in August 2026) and then a ‘no entry’ sign.

Green and white markings

(8) At a fork in the road, keep right towards Usatiupinta and stay on the track. Pass at the foot of a tall stone pidgeon hunting hut. After a descent and an ascent lined with beautiful beech trees, you’ll reach a crossroads you passed at the start of the walk.

Green and White + Red and White markings (White-Red-Green)

(1) Continue along the track towards Lizaieta. Climb briefly, then descend to the Col de Lizarrieta (S/E).

Hiking boots are recommended.

Water source between (7) and (8) but may be dry. Two bar-restaurants at the Col de Lizarrieta (S/E), one in France, the other in Spain (cash only).

A detailed map is useful (at the very least, the one accompanying this description). To follow the route using the Visorando app, it is recommended that you download both the ‘Topo’ base map and the OSM Trails base map.

Hike completed by the author on 3 September 2026.

- A pleasant walk, often shaded, with some beautiful trees.
- Pidgeon hunting huts.
- Views of the Rhune and the neighbouring peaks.