Tour of Ainhoa from the Devil's Bridge via the lime kiln

A beautiful walk around the village of Ainhoa, passing by an old fish farm

Details

1777460
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 113 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 111 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 133 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 50 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Follow the D4 road towards Dancharia (Dantxarinea) to a place called Pont du Diable. Park in the car park just after the bridge over the Nivelle.

(S/E) Follow theGR®10(red and white markings) which starts perpendicular to the road at the back of the car park. The path follows the bank of the Nivelle then turns left to cross it. Continue on theGR®10which runs alongside the old fish farm buildings then climbs up to a road

(1) Take the road in front of you, which leads to the crossroads at the entrance to the village of Ainhoa.

(2) Turn left towards the Karrika district, then left again to reach the D20, the main road through the village, lined with houses, each more remarkable than the last. Continue to the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption.

(3) A few dozen metres after the church, turn left after the pelota court and then right. Further on, the road passes Ordokikoborda (Ordoki's barn in Basque) before reaching a fork.

(4) Take the road on the left, Mentaberriko Bidea (Mentaberri's path in Basque). It passes in front of Mentaberria (which gave its name to the path). Continue straight ahead, the tarmac road becomes a forest path again.

(5) Take the path on the left for about 400 m.

(6) Turn left again onto the path that descends towards the road. In wet weather, this last section down to the D4 can be slippery. Once you reach the road, cross the Nivelle on the left and you will find the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 50 m - Pont du Diable car park - Nivelle (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 1.66 - alt. 120 m - Take the road straight ahead
  3. 2 : km 2.69 - alt. 118 m - Cross Ainhoa via the main street
  4. 3 : km 2.96 - alt. 115 m - On the left after the pelota court
  5. 4 : km 3.54 - alt. 118 m - Mentaberriko Bidea on the left
  6. 5 : km 4.97 - alt. 103 m - Path on the left
  7. 6 : km 5.37 - alt. 110 m - Take the path on the left to descend to the D4
  8. S/E : km 5.93 - alt. 50 m - Return to the car park

Notes

Water source and shops in Ainhoa.

Worth a visit

Take the time to admire the village, which is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
hilaire.vachon
hilaire.vachon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk. The lime kiln is somewhat overgrown.

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Philippe Le B
Philippe Le B

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely family walk, shaded during the initial climb (which was very welcome on this hot day with temperatures reaching 35°C). The highlight of the walk is crossing the village of Ainhoa, one of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country, before continuing through the countryside and enjoying the magnificent fields of chillies that line the path. The walk takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
I highly recommend it.

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jln
jln

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, peaceful route through wooded countryside.

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lekeke31
lekeke31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route, half of which is on paved roads but with no traffic. The stop in Ainhoa, halfway along the route, is pleasant.
Please note that some sections may be muddy.

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cottinet gilles
cottinet gilles

A lovely walk, accessible to all.

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colotimelo64
colotimelo64

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Quite a lot of concrete, but as it's to get to the village of Ainhoa, it's quite nice.
No particular difficulties. Beautiful views
Done on 1 February, lots of mud but doable.

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cottinet gilles
cottinet gilles

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We didn't see many people on the route. Lovely walk. Visit to the superb church.

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Elli
Elli

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk. Ascending in the shade and returning via the hills. A complete walk with sheep, horses, streams, forest, hills, and a magnificent village.
Work is currently being carried out at the old fish farm. The path is very muddy and slippery in wet weather

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alain leg
alain leg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike combining the Basque hills, rivers and streams with heritage sites.
The walk took place in drizzle after several days of rain, which made the paths slippery, but walking sticks helped.
No particular difficulties.
Pascale & Alain

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famille talbot
famille talbot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We took a pleasant walk with our dog and saw old renovated houses, accompanied by birdsong

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Danièle Quillet
Danièle Quillet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Average interest as there are few viewpoints, but pleasant in warm weather because it is well shaded.

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ceclem
ceclem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Overall, your routes are well defined, and the viewpoints in the mountains are interesting.

Thank you to the volunteers

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JEANNOTPAU
JEANNOTPAU

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Starting at the Devil's Bridge avoids having to park in Aïnhoa.
The route is muddy and slippery in places

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mamiemobile
mamiemobile

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nothing to say

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panxika
panxika

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

No interest, lots of tarmac roads.

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