Tour of Ibanteli

A lovely, easy hike. Beautiful view from the summit.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.98 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,949 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,923 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,283 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 358 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

In Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, head straight towards the centre. At the next roundabout, follow signs for Sare and Dantcharia on the D3. At the Cherchebruit roundabout, take the D4 on the right towards Sare. At the entrance to Sare, turn left onto the D306 towards Grottes de Sare and Col de Lizarrieta. After the turn-off for the caves, continue on the D306. The start of the hike is at the entrance to the forest, 300 m before a rest area. There are two or three parking spaces on each side of the road. Otherwise, continue on to the rest area.

(S/E) Take the path on the right-hand side of the road that climbs to the right of the stream. At the first intersection, about 60 m away, take the path on the right. Yellow markings. The return path is on the left. After an initial climb, you will reach a multi-junction. Follow the yellow markings on the left. The path runs alongside a fence with a view of the Rhune. You will reach a track suitable for vehicles.

(1) Take the track on the left and follow it for 700 m to the altitude 221.

(2) Cross the small stream over a small bridge. Leave the track that branches off to the left and immediately take a path on the right (signposted) with yellow markings. Climb in wide zigzags due south, then go around the hill (at altitude 379) on the left.

(3) The path slopes west then south-west, skirting a beech forest then a larch forest. Join the very steep path that climbs up from the Col de Lizuniaga. Turn south where the slope becomes steeper until you reach the Col Lepo Aundi at altitude 605.

(4) Border marker 39. Follow the well-marked path that branches off to the left and climbs in two stages: first summit 661 m and Ibanteli summit 698 m

(5) Descend to the Lepo Aundi Pass. Border marker 39

(4) Descend south-southeast to the Lizarrieta Pass. (See practical information).

(6) Take the road that descends to the left for 350 m to a hairpin bend at altitude 419.

(7) Leave the road and take the path on the left. Yellow markings. Introductory trail on oak trees and charcoal production in the past, and wood pigeon hunting. The path first climbs very slightly towards the north-east, then roughly follows a contour line. Arrive at point 405 and pass between two stone walls. The path turns at a right angle and heads due north. A little further on, cross a scree slope and enter the forest.
The trail reaches a barn and the start of a track.

(8) Follow this track for about 300 metres

(9) Leave the track and take the path on the right that enters the forest. Follow the yellow markings until you reach (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 358 ft - Car park at the entrance to the forest
  2. 1 : mi 0.43 - alt. 620 ft - Track
  3. 2 : mi 0.89 - alt. 725 ft - Altitude 221 Small bridge
  4. 3 : mi 1.42 - alt. 1,194 ft - Elevation altitude 379
  5. 4 : mi 2.25 - alt. 1,982 ft - Lepo Aundi Pass. Border marker 39
  6. 5 : mi 2.57 - alt. 2,274 ft - Summit - Ibantelli (698m)
  7. 6 : mi 3.68 - alt. 1,450 ft - Col de Lizarrieta (441m)
  8. 7 : mi 3.9 - alt. 1,375 ft - Path in the hairpin bend
  9. 8 : mi 5.23 - alt. 866 ft - Barn
  10. 9 : mi 5.4 - alt. 837 ft - Leave the track
  11. S/E : mi 5.98 - alt. 361 ft - Car park at the entrance to the forest

Notes

(6) The Venta Lizaieta on the Spanish side is a good place to stop for refreshments or even a meal. Credit cards are not accepted. On the French side, there is a very good restaurant called Hordago Ostatua.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
g70
g70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike began at 3.30 pm in cloudy weather (cloud base at around 900 metres).
A very beautiful hike, well signposted and easy to follow; I only used the GPS at the Col de Lizarrieta.

The climb is steady and relatively ‘easy’ up to point 3, and gets a bit tougher on reaching point 4 (Aundi Pass). I took a long break on the Ibantelli to enjoy the view in the company of vultures and beautiful ladies (butterflies), and I really appreciated being alone on this summit rather than on the Rhune in the clouds with the tourists.

The descent was just as pleasant as the ascent; it was a lovely surprise to come across herds with calves and foals just a few days old before reaching the Col de Lizarrieta. There’s a short stretch of road after the Col de Lizarrieta, but it’s very brief, followed by a pleasant walk through the forest. The nature trail is very interesting, putting the hike into perspective, with the Atxuria in the background. You can clearly see the scars of poorly controlled controlled burning (lots of charred trees).

A truly top-notch hike – I highly recommend it!

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LM64
LM64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A classic hike along the Basque coast, in the sunshine but peaceful as it was a Friday morning... Beautiful scenery as far as the eye can see, with sections through the woods, which is lovely in this heat!

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g70
g70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike began at 3.30 pm in cloudy weather (cloud base at around 900 metres).
A very beautiful hike, well signposted and easy to follow; I only used the GPS at the Col de Lizarrieta.

The climb is steady and relatively ‘easy’ up to point 3, and gets a bit tougher on reaching point 4 (Aundi Pass). I took a long break on the Ibantelli to enjoy the view in the company of vultures and beautiful ladies (butterflies), and I really appreciated being alone on this summit rather than on the Rhune in the clouds with the tourists.

The descent was just as pleasant as the ascent; it was a lovely surprise to come across herds with calves and foals just a few days old before reaching the Lizarrieta Pass. There’s a short stretch on the road after the Lizarrieta Pass, followed by a pleasant walk through the forest. The nature trail is very interesting, putting the hike into perspective, with the Atxuria in the background.

A truly top-notch hike, I highly recommend it!

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User 14771946

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike offering superb views and an insight into the historic production of charcoal in this part of the Basque Country.

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User 9684157

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

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eric bourdon
eric bourdon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

a lovely walk with superb views, unfortunately the return journey is through an area that has been affected by a fire or poorly controlled slash-and-burn farming. To be revisited in a few months

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utsenea.stjeandeluz
utsenea.stjeandeluz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A varied hike with an option to climb to the summit and, on the way back, cross the pass, with explanations about life and flora in these mountains in centuries past.
No difficulty and the path is in good condition.

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MEB31
MEB31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but not an easy one, as the climb is long and steady, as is the descent. The landscapes are varied, and the section after La Venta, surrounded by fantastical trees, is particularly noteworthy.
Not to mention the pottocks, the sheep, the shepherd... We saw it all!
We did it in 5 hours, taking it slowly with lots of stops and picnics.

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Fields
Fields

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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Coco64
Coco64

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with magnificent views, very well explained route, worth doing again 😁

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Matperes
Matperes

Very pleasant hike, well marked by the app...

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Micas
Micas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pretty hike, not very busy even on a Sunday, easy going and very clear route description. Herds of animals and a beautiful view of the Pyrenees from the summit.

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Matperes
Matperes

Very pleasant hike, well marked by the app...

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Martine et Patrick
Martine et Patrick

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with the added bonus of a stop at the pass before heading back down.

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Matperes
Matperes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Delighted with the application and its reliability

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