In the footsteps of the old Ascain-Sare tramway

Park in the Ascain port car park (portua) on the banks of the Nivelle.

(S/E) Take the road south (Rue Burdin) which goes up through the village and joins the D4.

(1) Cross at the pedestrian crossing and continue straight ahead towards Hiriburua. At the junction with Chemin d'Ansorlua, turn left and walk for about 100 metres, then take the path on the right which leads to Chemin Finondoa. Follow this path straight ahead. Cross Route des Carrières and take the narrow tarmac road almost opposite. Continue straight ahead.

(2) In the wide right-hand bend, leave this tarmac road and take the recently gravelled track on the left. Follow this track.

(3) At the crossroads, continue on the tarmac road opposite, which continues as a wide dirt track leading to the La Rhune car park. Turn right onto the D4 to reach the La Rhune rack railway station and the Col de Saint-Ignace.

(4) Cross the D4 at the pedestrian crossing, then turn left onto the dirt track that runs alongside the car park. Continue on the left until you reach the GR®8.

(5) Follow it, turning right. Continue left on the small road towards Sare, go about 300 m and then turn right, following the signs. Continue straight ahead until you reach a four-way crossroads.

(6) Turn right, pass between the two parts of the cemetery and reach the D4.

(7) Cross at the pedestrian crossing and continue straight ahead to Place de Sare (S/E).

To return to Ascain, you can take the bus (Hegobus, line 45) from Place de Sare. The bus will take you back to the starting point (Burdin Bidea stop).

Refreshments are available at Col de Saint-Ignace and in Sare on the square.

(S/E) To return to Ascain, take the bus (Hegobus, line 45) from the square in Sare. The bus will take you back to the starting point (Burdin Bidea stop).

The route crosses the D4 three times, which is a very busy road. You will therefore need to be careful.

(S/E) The starting point is located at the site of the old tram station. There are few remains, but the site is worth a look. A century ago, it was a hub of the village, with goods being transported by barge on the Nivelle from Saint-Pée or Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

On the way up, you can see the structures that had to be built to allow the tram to pass: engineering structures over streams, embankments and retaining walls to consolidate a 4-5 metre wide path.

(4) At the Col de Saint-Ignace, take the rack railway to La Rhune, built at the same time as the tramway. It has remained in operation ever since due to its tourist appeal.

Descending from the pass, the tram route has now become the Route de la Plâtrière. This road is not safe for hiking, so the route chosen here follows a parallel path and ends up following the GR®8. Along the way, it is possible to visit the Ortillopitz Basque farm museum during the season.

Also note the wash houses that line the route (Ascain, Sare).