Saint-Jean-de-Luz walks

The old coastal path along the Basque coastline from Ciboure to Hendaye is permanently closed to pedestrians due to coastal erosion and numerous landslides.A new path, further inland, has been temporarily proposed by the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Department. This is the route described here. (!) Comment from a user on 30 August 2025 >Hello, access to this route is now prohibited between SOCOA point (1) and the corniche house point (8) by prefectural decree. Could you please note this restriction, as I have informed and discouraged hikers who were venturing onto this section.nOTE: The comment dated 25 July 2025 is the subject of this proposal, but the signs had not yet been put up.FFRando64. GR®8 coastlineexplanatory pdf from FFRando 64

Did you know that a tramway used to run through the hinterland from the coast (Hendaye, Ciboure) to Sare via Ascain? That was before the car became popular in 1936. This hike takes you along its route, based on available archives. The landscape has preserved the memory of this journey, which you can discover during this excursion under the watchful eye of Mont Esnaur.

A short hike along the most pleasant part of the Basque coastal path.

These are three peaks, Bizkartzun, Zuhalmundi and Esnaur, clearly visible from Saint-Jean-de-Luz and located behind Ascain. Emblematic of the nearby hinterland, they each offer a superb 360° view of the coast, the Rhune and the Pyrenees further east. This route takes you up these peaks one after the other on an easy trail with steep sections, flat sections, scree, a bit of tarmac and dirt tracks, all in a stunning setting.

A double loop around Bizkartzun allows you to discover this often overlooked waterfall.

A short detour takes you past the bottom of Esnaur, then Suhalmendi and finally up Bizkarzun, two peaks in Ascain dominated by the Rhune.

This hike passes by a Basque pig farm, which produces Kintoa charcuterie and cured meats. Mount Esnaur offers a beautiful view of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ascain.

This hike takes you up the Suhalmendi for a magnificent 360° view of the Pyrenees and the ocean. You'll also discover the Basque pig that makes such delicious hams and other charcuterie. There's also a nice little picnic area where you can enjoy your picnic.

This beautiful loop, which takes you from the bottom of the valley to the peaks of Suhalmendi and Esnaur via the Basque pig trail, will allow you to discover many facets of the Basque Country.

This is a short walk we did in October to discover the Esnaur and then gather some chestnuts along the pretty Arraioko Erreka stream.

Discover the Basque coast from Bidart, where you can watch the surfers, to the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The route is uneven between the very pleasant coastal path and the detours behind the numerous properties. You can end your visit at the beach in Saint-Jean-de-Luz or relax in the town.

Climb to the summit of Ciboure Mountain to discover the Basque Coast via the Insola forest.

A hike in the heart of nature, with views of either the sea or the mountains, but also offering the chance to discover dolmens and a fortified camp dating back to Napoleon.

The view from the top is magnificent, both to the south towards the surrounding peaks and to the north towards the coast.

A beautiful route to discover La Rhune in all its glory.

La Petite Rhune, passing by the Yasola venta, offers an unusual view of La Rhune. Follow this trail towards the Col de Kizkuitz to discover an unusual feature of the Rhune massif. The return to the Col des Trois Fontaines will allow you to seek out the little secrets of the Ihizelai rocky plateau.

La Rhune in a wide loop below Miramar. A little-used path to the Col des Trois Fontaines. A little longer, but easy and with much better views.

Short circular on the slopes of La Rhune to the Col des Trois Fontaines. You can go a few steps further to discover the cromlechs.

A hike that will lead you to one of the primary summits of the Pyrenees, offering you a view over the entire Basque country, French and Spanish.

Lake Ibardin with a detour that has become mandatory since crossing the dam is no longer permitted.We therefore descend along the left bank of the stream to complete a true circular loop.

This is a very easy hike that starts at the foot of the Col d'Ibardin next to the old customs house, climbs up to the pass and descends on the side facing the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. It is called the Sentier des Mulets (Mule Trail) in reference to the convoys of mules that once criss-crossed the mountain to carry all kinds of goods, not necessarily declared at customs, across the border. For the record, Pierre Loti's novel Ramuntcho, written in Ascain, recounts these stories of smugglers.

Meadows on pink cliffs. In the coves, the waves erode these pink cliffs, which continue to crumble into the sea. The moorland above the ocean, the cliffs and the pretty bay of Loya (Loïa) are unspoilt corners of nature thanks to the work of the Conservatoire du Littoral, which manages the area. It would appear that dogs are not allowed on the trail, even on a leash!

Take a short tour of the Basque pig farm that gave rise to the Kintoa designation, with a picnic at the Ascain sheepfold.

A beautiful loop that climbs up to Xoldoko Gaina, then descends to the Col d'Osin (Osingo Lepoa), passes through the Col des Poiriers (Pitare), an area rich in monoliths, and returns along the side of Xoldo, skirting the lake.

A pretty loop passing by the Santa Barbara cross with a view of the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Route on the heights of Ibarron with a beautiful view of the Nivelle valley.

An easy family circular. Discover the countryside around Bidart and its iconic mill. This old flour mill, whose origins date back several centuries, is famous not only for its traditional architecture but also for its functionality, which has stood the test of time. The mill uses hydraulic power, characteristic of traditional mills in the Basque Country, which captures the energy of the water from the Uhabia River. It is one of the few mills in the Basque Country still in operation today, producing flour using traditional methods. The route follows part of the Bidart greenway, which can be extended to the sea by following the Uhabia.

A beautiful hike that combines superb views and varied trails. Definitely do it in good weather to enjoy the landscapes that await you.

A circular route to discover three peaks overlooking the Basque coast to the north and the Bidasoa valley to the south.

Popular for its ventas and other Sunday shopping, the Col d'Ibardin is also the starting point for easy, scenic walks along the Atlantic coast. One of these involves a visit to Lake Xoldokogaina and is suitable for families. As most of the climb is concentrated at the beginning of the walk, it is advisable to take a leisurely pace to reach the highest venta, then the Manddale slopes. The view is already very wide and encourages contemplative breaks. As you round a grove of conifers, the entire Xoldokogaina massif comes into view, a complex of moors and shady valleys, a true paradise for pottoks! It's time for the long descent to the lake, where you can take a break in the shade of hundred-year-old oaks.

Lake Xoldokogaina, also known as Lake Ibardin, is located at an altitude of 330 m in the Arola Valley, surrounded by the Xoldo, Munhoa and Onéaga mountains. It was created in the early 1930s as a water reserve. Swimming and fishing are prohibited. A hike starting from the car park, below the ventas (traditional Basque restaurants) when arriving from the pass, provides access to the lake and offers beautiful views of the Basque coast and the surrounding mountains. The trail crosses pastureland where you may encounter pottoks and betisoak. The Ibardin Pass offers exceptional views of the Spanish and French Pyrenees. The site is ideal for relaxing by the water or enjoying a picnic.

A short loop around the towns of Arbonne and Arcangues. It alternates between dirt tracks and quiet roads. During your walk, you can enjoy the coolness of the forest and the view of the golf course.

This hike allows you to discover Lake Saint-Pée, where there is a small beach where you can cool off before the last part of the route.

Starting from Biriatou, climb Xoldoko Gaina and its tower. This hike takes you quickly up the Basque Coast, with views of La Rhune, the 3 Couronnes and the Côte d'Argent in the Bay of Biscay. The return journey is along the Bidassoa.

A short hike up Mont du Calvaire above Biriatou, with views of Xingudi Bay and the Basque coast.

This is a short walk with no other aim than to spend a pleasant moment in a superb landscape and enjoy the peace and quiet of the wide open spaces of the Basque Country.

A very beautiful hike that climbs from Sare towards La Rhune and passes from pass to pass, offering remarkable views of the mountains, countryside and ocean.

This beautiful hike will allow you to discover the most famous peaks of the Basque Country as you climb, as well as enjoy a wide view of the ocean.

With the beautiful village of Sare as its starting point, this hike showcases the built heritage, old stones, history and landscapes in a very varied loop where there is no room for monotony. From a sporting point of view, the climbs and descents follow one another without transition, never very long, but admittedly with a few steep sections that are sometimes quite tough. It takes a little effort to complete this varied circuit between the town hall square and the heights of the Col de Saint-Ignace. But above all, there are discoveries to be made along the way. Walking along the cobblestones of the old galtzada (medieval road) is a poignant introduction to the area's heritage, followed further on by an old wash house, the remains of Napoleonic redoubts and traditional houses and barns.

Starting from Sare, a beautiful little village in the Basque Country, a short hike allows you to discover the beautiful landscape around the village.

Another way to climb La Rhune. You won't have to contend with the crowds on the more popular trails. Here, there are very few people, except for the locals.

Walk from the San Martial hermitage with panoramic views on both sides of the border.To be avoided during the hunting season, as the path is lined with pigeon shoots.

This circular walk takes you to the Napoleonic redoubts used by Marshal Soult's army against Wellington's British troops in 1814. You can enjoy beautiful 360° views. Magnificent hundred-year-old oak trees line the route.

Short walk with beautiful views of the Three Crowns and Lake Endara on the Errenga River.

A stroll along the Domiko Canal then a descent to Embalse de Endara before returning to the start via the GR®11.

Discovery of an old mine and access routes via numerous tunnels that had been dug into the mountain. All this in the forest of the Aiako Harria (Aia Mountains in Basque) nature park, also known as the Three Crowns.