The Rhune

Description

The hike leaves from the motocross track car park in Ascain.
An information board on the different species of animals and plants that you may come across is at the start of the track which rises. It's a track suitable for vehicles that climbs in the direction of the Rhune. You might come across small semi-wild horses called Pottoks.
(1) The track is quite dry but as soon as you arrive at a small stream, a path goes off to your right. Take it to reach the plateau of Ihizelaia, and the MIramar viewing point. This track narrows to become a path that you have to follow until you come across the track that climbs up to the summit of the Rhune.
(2) A track coming from your right climbs an entire valley with small watercourses. Keep going straight in the direction of the summit.
The path crosses a small forest, then you attack a fairly steep climb. You can see on your left the small Train de la Rhune as well as vultures that take advantage of thermals produced by the landform. At the top, cross the tracks and the station and go to the terrace (3) which offers a panoramic view over the Basque country. The descent follows the same path until you reach the forest. Cross it and then when you get to the signposts, go straight ahead in the direction of "trois fontaines". (4)Cross the small stream and climb up opposite on the path to go as far as the "Redoute" (and old fortification).
(5) To get back, you can cut across the pastures with small horses to get back to your path. Descend until the small stream and cross it to get back to the vehicle track you started on, and walk back down to the car park via the same route.