A loop starting from Puerto Otsondo

fr

On this 10km route, which is not very physically demanding, you can admire the Bastan valley and the Elizako Erreka stream. There are also sheepfolds, the calm of the Basque mountains and encounters with pottoks and ponies.

Technical sheet

n°1333372
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.99 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 284 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 277 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 709 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 460 m
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Photos

Canadian passage
Remarkable beech
Pottoks
Lapitxuri Erreka" stream

Description of the walk

Park at the Paso de Otxondo.

(S/E) Cross the cattle grid to Gorramendi. Continue on this road NA-2655 to the next junction.

(1) Turn left and immediately right on the stony, uphill road to reach a grassy plateau where several tracks intersect.

(2) Take the path furthest to the right, which follows the NA-2655 overhang. Continue on this path, ignoring a path to the right and another to the left, for about 1km to reach the "T" intersection.

(3) At this intersection, turn left onto the wide track (part of the Route Napoléonienne), which leads up to a sheep pen. Continue along this track, ignoring a path on the right which descends along an area of pine trees. Reach a new intersection.

(4) Here, the path on the right is a dead-end, leading only to the summit of Mont Antsestegi. Continue on the wide path which starts to descend, and whose surface is concrete, becoming dirt a little further on. Continue to the next junction of 4 paths.

(5) Take the grassy path opposite, which bends slightly to the left. Continue on this path, straight ahead at the next 2 intersections with a path coming from the right.

(6) Take the right-hand path which runs along the edge of a row of beech trees and downhill. Continue on this path, then turn right and, a little further on, turn left to avoid the courtyard (with dogs) of the Larraldea dwelling, then turn left again, heading South. Further on, cross the cattle grid (with a low wall on either side) and continue straight ahead.

(7) After the second cattle grid, continue South on this wide carriage road. Reach an intersection after a hairpin bend that no longer exists on the ground, probably a logging road that hasn't been used for several years.

(8) Go straight ahead, the next track on the right leads to a house, so go straight ahead. A second path on the right leads to the top of the hill, so stay on this wide path. There's a third grassy path on your right, so continue straight ahead on this wide track, which leads back to the first crossroads you passed at the start.

(1) Turn right and head back down towards Paso de Otxondo, back to the start / car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 573 m - Otsondo Pass
  2. 1 : km 1.1 - alt. 600 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : km 1.93 - alt. 680 m - To the right, grass path
  4. 3 : km 2.62 - alt. 683 m - Left at the intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.33 - alt. 708 m - Staying on this wide path
  6. 5 : km 4.59 - alt. 665 m - Opposite, grass path
  7. 6 : km 5.39 - alt. 566 m - To the right along the trees
  8. 7 : km 6.33 - alt. 460 m - Straight ahead, wide road
  9. 8 : km 7.29 - alt. 483 m - Straight ahead on a wide road
  10. S/E : km 9.99 - alt. 574 m - Otsondo Pass

Practical information

There are no water points or shelters on the route, so it's advisable to bring water.

Bring a head covering and/or rain gear, depending on the weather.
No difficulty on this route, walking shoes or good sneakers will be enough.

Between (3) and (5) in October, pigeon hunting season, it is highly recommended to stay on this wide path.

In the nearby area

Between (S/E) and (1) on your right is the Bastan valley.
(3) A few metres beyond this point, a sheep pen which is also used as a gathering point during the woodpigeon hunting season (in October). A little further on, on your right, a pine plantation, sometimes with pottoks or ponies.
(6) A few metres before this point you can also see pottoks and ponies in a pine plantation.
(8) In the hairpin bend, just before this point, you can admire the valley of the stream, Lapitxuri Erreka, which passes through Dancharia to become the Nivelle just over the border.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Montemar
Montemar

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A fine route, fairly easy thanks to wide tracks for much of the way.
There are magnificent views first of the south and its mountains and then of the west and the ocean.
Best enjoyed in fine weather with clear skies, but with plenty of protection as there are few shaded areas.

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maloyakabosse
maloyakabosse

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

hello everyone
magnificent circuit in the Basque country but yes there is a but I strongly advise you to park your car at the start N°1 of the hike and not before the Canadian barrier because there are too many cars... note that there is no signposting but we didn't get lost...

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Izura
Izura

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

ten km with little change in altitude ... perfect

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marcbouff&64
marcbouff&64

From the picnic area there is a path that takes you to the bend in the pass, which avoids walking along the road but requires you to cross the road on the bend in the pass !!!!!

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VL2
VL2

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

For parking, we opted to park 400m further on at the Col d'Otsondo picnic area for greater safety.
With this solution, there is just over 1km of tarmac on both the outward and return legs.
Apart from that, the route is very pleasant: you're (almost always) on wide paths and you can look out from Hendaye to Bayonne on one side, and on to the peaks (snow-capped for us) of the Spanish Pyrenees on the other.
It would be a good idea to lengthen the route a little: we had finished in 3 hours.

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Hervé Bignon
Hervé Bignon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did this route with a group on a beautiful sunny morning, but with more than a little wind.

Both sides are splendid, on the Baztan side and on the Basque coast.

We set off from the picnic area a few steps away towards the Baztan, which is better for parking several vehicles at once and doesn't add too much road.
What's more, you can have lunch there at the end of the outing.

We could also have started from the point (1) which offers a few less exposed places than the pass itself.

Thanks for this good idea.

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bodu
bodu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

This is an easy walk (with little difference in altitude), during which you will come across more horses and pottoks than humans...
Although the morning was a little foggy, there were still some fine views over the Baztan valley (Amaiur village in particular). It takes less than 3 hours to complete, and there's no need to rush. A significant part of the route is covered by vegetation, which makes it a hike to be recommended in slightly hot weather.

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quatrechoux
quatrechoux
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk, alternating between sun and shade, with nice little spots for picnics and beautiful views. Not too tiring.

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harispe
harispe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pretty walk in magnificent sunshine on the summits and thick fog in the valleys.
All you have to do is follow the signs.
Thank you for your time.

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Zanatany64
Zanatany64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 16, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very nice walk, highly recommended. Make the most of a sunny day like we had, it's great.

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Delafon
Delafon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A marvellous walk from every point of view: thanks to the author! Most of the route is on balconies with unforgettable views over the coast and the French Basque country or over the Baztan, a bucolic landscape full of charm with sheep, porttoks and old farms. The route skirts superb woods and even passes through a small coniferous forest on a carpet of soft green moss. The route and time given are accurate. So thanks again to the author and Visorando!
Blandine from Sare

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