Saint-Jean-le-Vieux (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) walks

A lovely walk that takes you through a variety of landscapes, including open tracks, forest, pastures and, finally, vineyards.

You will discover an oak forest and pass through the Irouleguy vineyard with a panoramic view of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and its surroundings. A very pleasant hike that will take you to the Pic de l'Arradoy. The small flower-lined path leading up to it is very pleasant before entering the damp, cool forest. Very pleasant in spring and summer as the hike is mostly shaded.

The forty-sixth stage of the Camino de Santiago. A physically demanding stage, featuring the ascent of the Pyrenees, splendid views of the surrounding Basque Country if the weather permits, free-roaming herds, a sense of being high up, and the excitement of crossing into Spain. After a long, steep descent, you arrive at the Monastery of Roncesvalles. Given the altitude of the finish point and the cool temperatures, I preferred the monastery dormitory to camping. From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a whole new journey begins. The landscapes are no longer the same, nor are the pilgrims. From here on, there are ten times as many people on the paths. Very few French people and lots of Koreans, Australians, Americans, Filipinos and, of course, Spaniards. From here on, you have to speak Spanish or English or use Google Translate. But you always manage to make yourself understood and get by. That’s the magic of the Camino de Santiago.

Even if you are not a pilgrim on your way to Compostela, you will enjoy this pretty little tourist town in Lower Navarre, built on the banks of the Nive de Béhérobie. Let me give you a little guided tour.

Step back in time as you discover a unique heritage, walking along centuries-old cobblestones and enjoying the view of the Pyrenees – this is how you’ll discover the authentic town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. I visited this town at the end of the final French stage of my Camino de Santiago, after 47 days of walking.

A hike around Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to discover a unique feature of Basque architecture in this part of Navarre, then share a "piece of the journey" with pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

A beautiful stage in the Pyrenean foothills along country lanes.

A sublime hike along part of the historic Way of St James. The weight of history is on your shoulders, but it feels light as the arrival at the Virgin of Orisson is so beautiful. A long climb on unpaved ground with a steady slope through the summer pastures of the Basque Country does not spoil the pleasure, especially as the path is shaded.

This route is also known as Elurti. It allows you to discover the Artxuita dolmen from the village of Ascarat.

The Muhnoa is a magnificent 360° viewpoint. Most of the climb is on a gentle slope of about 10%. The last 1,400 metres become more difficult, but the reward is at the end.

From the Nive de Béhérobie in Estérençuby, head up one of its tributaries, the Bihurriko Erreka, to discover the peaceful heights where shepherds and their sheep reign supreme. The Azketa huts are inhabited during the summer grazing season. They shelter beautiful Basque-Béarnaise horned sheep. These pastures are also popular with pottoks, the small Basque horses.

The Iramendy ridge is bristling with poudingue peaks (conglomerate of round pebbles). From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, this gives it the appearance of a dinosaur. Climbing to the summit via this ridge from north to south requires a bit of scrambling (level 2 lower). The proposed hike climbs to the summit via the other ridge. No difficulties other than the total elevation gain and a few steep sections. Magnificent 360° view of the surrounding mountains.

A pleasant hike of moderate difficulty, except for the final climb up Munhoa, which is quite steep. Magnificent views of the Basque Country landscape. The outward leg of the hike follows the GR®10 to the Col d'Urdanzia. The return leg is not marked, so we recommend using the Visorando app.

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

A very pleasant hike, not very difficult but offering magnificent views all along the route and, of course, at the summit: a 360° panorama. To the north-west, the coast and its towns, with Baigura and Ursuya in the foreground. To the west, Iparla. To the south-west, Jara with its antennas. To the south, Orhi and Bearn with the Pics d'Anie and Ossau.

A circular route through the hills around Ahaize. If you’re lucky enough to do this route in autumn, the colours are splendid.

A beautiful walk that crosses three promontories with stunning views.

A beautiful hike along an oldPR® trail, which is unfortunately no longer well marked. The return journey is on gentler slopes than the outward journey. The end of the route crosses the vineyards of Irouleguy.

Circular loop through the Irouléguy vineyards. On a sign in front of the church, this route is described under the title "Menta: trail showcasing the unique characteristics of the Irouléguy vineyards". Surrounded by stunning peaks and offering a peaceful atmosphere, this is an easy walk suitable for the whole family.

Seen from a distance, the silhouette of Behorleguy gives the impression of an enormous peak and of being difficult. In fact, this is misleading and when you arrive on its southern face, it has a rather rounded shape. It is an enormous limestone fold that heralds the Arbailles massif. Magnificent view from the summit with the Pic des Escaliers to the south and the Arbailles massif to the north.. At the Col d'Aphanize, you can see a vertical chasm 500 m deep, one of the deepest chimneys in the world.

The D'esternguibel valley is a wild site in Lower Navarre. Its steep sides are bristling with ridges and peaks. Iraukotuturu is the highest peak. To reach it, head for the Errékaxaro pass and from there follow a path carved into the rock in places, which was once used for transhumance of sheep.

The climb to Haltzamendi is a truly enjoyable hike. Without any particular difficulties, it offers varied landscapes. From the summit, a splendid viewpoint, we have a bird's eye view of the eastern ridges of Baïgura.

Magnificent climb to Jara with breathtaking views of Larla, Iparla, Buztanzelai and Autza and, to the north, the ridges of Haltzamendi and Baigura. A variety of paths, almost always in the open, ending with a cornice path overlooking the Landes plain. Arrival at the summit with a 360° view of the peaks of the Basque Country and Béarn. A pleasant picnic area awaits us there.

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.