Circular tour of Lake Arritzulegi from Ituren

The starting point for the hike is located at the cemetery in the villageof Ituren, which is also where the Iglesia de San Martin is located. To get there, see the "Practical Information" section.

From the start, you have a view of both Mendaur, with its chapel, and the dam, which is the destination of this hike.

(S/E) From the church, go down the road you came up by car, but take the footpath reserved for pedestrians that runs alongside the road.

(1) Turn left and go up a cemented street. At the next intersection, recognisable by the large rabbit on the wall, find a path on the left.

(2) Leave the cement street and take the path on the left. Go through a gate (close it behind you) and continue on a smaller path. A little further on, cross the stream on some beams and head to the left.

(3) At the crossroads, turn right towards Jurdaneko borda. Pass this house and continue along the path. At the next crossroads, take the wide path on the right and continue climbing gently, following the wide bends. You will come to a star-shaped crossroads.

(4) Take the second path on the left, which is wide, very steep and full of earth. You will reach some ruins.

(5) From here, the route follows a wire fence off the path, heading to the left.

(6) At this point, stop following the fence and head left to join a clearly visible path. Then pass the ruins, with a beautiful standing stone serving as a boundary marker. Continue along this beautiful mountain path.

(7) Cut left. At this point, the easy path ends, and you'll need a taste for adventure to continue or follow the GPX track. In the forest, the ground is covered with leaves, making it difficult to find a path.The Visorando app is therefore essential, although you don't necessarily have to follow it to the letter.
There are a few landmarks, however: an old collapsed wall at the foot of a tree and a cairn indicating that you need to go that way. After crossing a stream, you need to look for footprints, which quickly disappear. On the mountainside and in a grassy area with no trail, you need to remember the approximate direction to take, which you spotted just before the dam. Note that there is a fairly flat rocky area, but it is easier to go over the top, especially as these rocks are in a wet area. Then, still on the mountainside, head towards the large rock in the distance at the edge of the forest.

(8) There is no particular path to follow, as the terrain is uniform and covered with leaves. Head to the left, towards some ruins and a sort of cliff:the view of the dam and the lake is very beautiful. Pass very close to the ruins and start descending to reach the dam. It is even possible to make a round trip (this part is optional).

(9) Continue straight ahead uphill, and you will soon come to a very wide path near some other house ruins. From this point, the hike continues on well-marked paths.

(10) Take this path to the left to go around the lake. A little further on, you will find a picnic area with tables and benches. The view of the lake is also very beautiful here.

(11) Leave the wide path on the right and take the GR® trail, which is marked in red and white. These are the GR®-11 / GR®-12 trails, which you will follow almost to the end of the hike. The path is well marked, and you will hear the sound of the Solsetako river (Solsetako erreka) as you walk. You will come to a small bridge where the markings may be confusing.

(12) Continue straight ahead without crossing the bridge, descend to the left at the foot of the bridge and find a wide path that follows the river. You will come to a main road, which you should take, heading to the left. A few moments later, you will see the beautiful Solsetako waterfall. The road is lined with cairns that become closer and closer together and, when they are very close to each other, signal a change of direction.

(13) You must then leave the road and take the path on the right: red and white markings.

(14) Just after passing under a large water pipe, turn right, arrive at a road and continue straight ahead.

(15) Turn into the street on the left, then continue straight ahead to reach the church and the place where the car is parked (S/E).

To get to the starting point of the hike by car.

Cross the border at Behobie. At the roundabout, turn left onto the N121-A towards Pamplona.
Continue on the N121-A.
At kilometre 47 of the N121, take the exit for NA-1210 / Doneztebe / Santesteban.
Then take the NA-170 towards Leitza / Iturren by turning right. Cross the bridge over the Bidasoa and continue on the NA-170 towards Leitza and/or Iturren. Pass through the village of Elgorriaga.
Enter the village of Ituren, and towards the exit of the village, in a bend with a stone wall, turn right following the direction "Eliza" (church) marked on a small sign. Continue along this paved road and, a few moments later, turn left.
A little further on, at a fork in the road, take the left-hand path to the cemetery and the Church of San Martin.
Park here.

For information, by car, from Saint Jean de Luz it is about 45 km in approximately 55 minutes.