Sainte-Engrâce walks

First day of a 6-day trip in the Basque Country. On this first day, visit the Ehujarré Gorges. A climb through the woods, then discovery of the wide grassy slopes of Utzigagna, the land of sheep and shepherds. After a visit to Urugo to admire the gorges from above, we climb back up in the morning to reach the Col de d'Errayzéko Lépoua, border marker 256.There, a vehicle will be waiting to take us to the Refuge Jeandel, saving us an 8 km drive along the border road.

A stone's throw from the Kakoueta Gorges, a major tourist attraction in Haute Soule, are the Ehujarre Gorges, wild, secluded and a real delight for hikers.

A scenic hike offering the finest views of Sainte-Engrâce and the entrance to the Gorges d’Éhujarre.

This loop offers changing landscapes, starting with pastures and gradually becoming rockier as you approach Pic d'Anie. Crossing the passes and cols will give you the opportunity to discover valleys that are very different from one another. Pic d'Anie is the highest mountain in the area and offers views of the French and Spanish Pyrenees.

From La Pierre Saint-Martin, you can see the Pic d'Anie in the distance.You start at the foot of the slopes with your destination in sight, and it takes about 3½ hours to reach the summit. In summer, you won't be alone on this route.

After a nice steady climb on a wide track, you come out onto a vast pasture area. There are beautiful views throughout the climb, followed by a vast panorama from the top. A geological curiosity: large blocks of pink puddingstone at the summit.

Not far from the famous Holzarté Gorges, here is an easy-to-follow route that will take you to the Soule ridges, facing the Western Pyrenees.

Hike in the Basque Country, 3 km from the village of Larrau. This hike offers magnificent 360° panoramic views from the summit: to the east, the Pic d'Anie, the Pic d'Ansabère, the Table des Trois Rois, etc.; to the west, the Pic d'Orhy; to the south, the Otchogorria with its antennas; and nearby to the south-west, the Otchogorrigagna.

A circular loop of twelve kilometres in a green setting between forest, streams and waterfalls.And above all, the crossing of the Holzarté footbridge, which is the highlight of this fairly demanding hike. If it's too physically demanding, you can turn back once you've seen the footbridge.

A beautiful circular for contemplating the world of Basque canyons. Carved out 80 million years ago by the Olhadübi torrent, the Holtzarte gorges, 100 to 300 metres deep, are among the most spectacular in the Basque Country. In fact, "Holtze arte" means "between walls" in Basque. A path, which is quite steep in places, leads to an impressive footbridge built in 1925 by Italians for forestry work. Crossing it is a thrilling experience and is not dangerous, but some people still close their eyes... An old track leads to the top of the canyon, from where you can climb a beautiful path to the pastoral world of Haut Souletin. The views of the Larrau mountains, including Pic d'Orhi, the first 2,000-metre peak from the Basque coast, are magnificent.

A beautiful, easy hike on Montagne d'Inchouriste from the village of Haux. A rocky ridge offering magnificent views of the Pyrenees and the surrounding mountains.

This is a short but intense hike to a beautiful, uncrowded waterfall and spectacular scenery. It is best done in late spring to fully enjoy the waterfall.

A surprising walk in the Issaux forest, which reveals charming plains at the foot of small hills. A mixture of conifers and deciduous trees amid gigantic moss beds!

A lovely walk in the heart of the Soule Valley, starting from the small village of Etchebar. This extended version of the Etchebar loop offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Pyrenean mountains from the summit of Pic Salhagagne.

Climb to the Erroimendy Pass from Larrau to admire this typical region in the heart of the Basque Country, at the gateway to Spain.

An interesting discovery: the source of the Marmitou, calm and peaceful before it disappears underground. A lovely hike that also takes you to the Anaye border pass.

To the east of the Saison valley, stretching from Mauléon to Tardets, a range of hills faces the Arbailles massif to the west and the imposing wall of the Pyrenees mountain range, dominated by the Pic d’Anie to the south. The summit of Erretzü marks the furthest point of this range. This position affords it a breathtaking view of the mountains of Béarn and Haute-Soule. The route is very varied. It starts in the undergrowth alongside a lovely stream, then emerges into open ground through fern-filled glades dotted with pollarded oaks. Like the ferns that cover it, the summit changes colour with the seasons, eventually cloaking itself in a flamboyant red in autumn.

This short walk takes us easily to a shepherd’s hut. Left unoccupied during the off-season, it’s a lovely spot for a picnic break. The setting is idyllic. Take care during the summer months and follow the advice given to respect the herds and the Patou dogs.

This short walk offers a refreshing view of the charming village of Lourdios-Ichère and some of the mountains surrounding the valley, such as Layens and Biscacou. You’re sure to come across donkeys, horses and pigs along the way.

A lovely route for exploring the village of Arette, partly along quiet country roads. You’ll discover pretty bridges and hidden paths in the heart of the village. The path offers little shade, but much of the route follows the stream.

An accessible short hike allowing you to climb Pic d'Orhy, the first peak to reach 2,000 metres above sea level from the Atlantic Ocean and the highest point in Soule. Magnificent views of the surrounding Basque Country and the high peaks of the Pyrenees.

A beautiful little lake that is easily accessible. This hike is truly bucolic and the arrival at the lake is a wonder. You can stay there for a while to admire the scenery...

A fairly short loop above Lescun, ideal for warming up, for children or people who are a little tired. A short climb and a gentle descent: what more could you ask for?

This hike allows you to discover Lake Lhurs and its huts, nestled in a mineral cirque with the jagged Ansabère area in the background.

An easy hike that can be done at any time of day with the family

A cross-border circular to discover a little-known area (Ibón de Acherito) from a very popular location (Cabanes d'Ansabère from Lescun). Magnificent landscapes, a varied route. Hike published in Pyrénées Magazine in 1995 (without a map and with little detail on the descent). Update: According to several hikers' reviews (see the associated forum), it would be preferable to do this route in reverse.

From Lescun, discover the Aiguilles d'Ansabère and the superb landscape of the Aspe Valley!

This is a long hike with a steady climb, taking you to some beautiful huts, with a water source, a lake in France and a lake in Spain. The elevation gain is significant, exceeding 1,200 metres. The hike starts at the Lamareich car park next to La Borde de Trésarricq. This is a difficult hike due to its length and the sense of direction required.

This walk via the Col d’Oxibar offers a particularly interesting feature: it opens up the Arbailles karst massif. The geology lends the landscape a distinctive character – at once mysterious and unique – with a cultural dimension rooted in protohistory. After passing through a small wood, the first open slopes already offer a lovely view of the ‘Ibar Esküin’ valley, Alcay, Lacarry and the high mountain ranges of Soule and Béarn. Even at this stage, the nature of the ground gives an indication of this type of limestone terrain, leading to a beautiful promontory where several piles of stones are heaped up: ‘Maide Korralea’, a testament to Soule’s ancient history. After the Oxibar Pass, on the descent, admire the old barn with its shingle roof, made of those old wooden tiles.

This walk takes you to the Bois de Gouloum around the Col de Bugalaran. This lovely route offers stunning views of the village of Aramits along beautiful hillside paths.

A beautiful walk with a surprising highlight: a splendid view of the valley from the highest point!

A beautiful, easy route in the Basque Country, starting from the village of Ossas-Suhare. The route passes through the village of Suhare, nestled at the foot of the Arbailles massif, with views over the Soule countryside.

Starting from the charming village of Issor, this walk, which runs partly through woodland, is ideal on hot days. After leaving the village, the path enters a wood, then crosses streams. In summer, the play of shadows and the coolness of the surroundings are particularly pleasant. In days gone by, the villagers used this path to transport boxwood from the neighbouring Bisarce mountain on the backs of mules. This hardwood was used to make a wide range of everyday objects.

A magnificent hike from Lescun, yet relatively unknown. There are magnificent views all along the way. Herds of chamois are frequently seen between the Col de Pau and the Col de Burg.Although this hike is challenging due to the elevation gain, it is not overly difficult. You can stop at the Cabane de Bonaris or the Col de Pau if you start to feel tired. If you are very fit, you can extend the hike by climbing the surrounding peaks or even reaching the Refuge d'Arlet.

A short, easy walk next to the Aramits adventure park. Beautiful views over the plain and the mountains: Anie, Madeleine, etc. Picnics possible at the summit. The route alternates between woodland and meadows, with a few signposts except for the summit.

A short, easy walk that can be combined with the Soum d’Aulis, or, alternatively, shortened by descending via the road from the Soum de Rut. Beautiful views of the Pyrenees from the summit.

A short, pleasant walk where you can have a picnic at the summit. Beautiful views of the Anie and the scattered settlements on the borders of Béarn. No difficulty. A few yellow markers to help you find your way.