Urkulu circular loop from the Col d'Orgambidé

de fr

We thoroughly enjoyed this route, which I "invented" to change my usual habit of climbing almost straight up through the forest and descending almost the same way. A variety of landscapes and atmospheres are on the menu during this fairly leisurely 3½-hour walk. I have fond memories of passing by the stream and its blue-green pools, surrounded by meadows covered with spring flowers. It's as romantic as you could wish for. In short, you want to take your time here, so those who are keen on sporting achievements should refrain!

Details

n°583436
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 555 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 554 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,418 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 974 m
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Photos

The Pyrenees
Basque clouds

Description of the walk

By car, drive up from Esterençuby and the Sources de la Nive to just before the Col d'Orgambidé, park next to the enclosure, to the right of the intersection of the D428 and the road coming from Spain.

(S/E) Follow this same road until the next junction at Col d'Orgambidé.

(1) Cut across the meadow, heading roughly south-east. The idea is to end up on the ridge of what some people call the Monts d'Orion.

(2) Follow it to an altitude of 1,090 metres, keeping the same direction.

(3) Descend, heading due south, along the animal trails. Cross the road and continue towards the stream that can be seen a little below.

(4) Follow it, or what remains of it, as it seems to disappear underground, and cross its bed heading west towards the meadow that forms a passage through the forest. At the end of this meadow, find a proper path and follow it.

(Entrance or exit of the forest)

(5) Enter the forest via this path that crosses it. Shortly after leaving the forest, the path begins to descend. Look for a signpost on the left and above (towards the west).

(6) (1065m) Head towards this signpost, but as soon as you reach the ridge that slopes gently down towards the north-north-west, follow this ridge.

(7) From there to the summit, climb up the meadow heading west-northwest, gradually approaching (each person can choose their own route, more or less facing the slope depending on their mood and fitness level) the rocky ridge above. Finally, follow it to the summit (1409m). To reach the summit, make your way between the rocks, keeping due north.

(8) Descend the meadow north then north-west until you reach a path that turns into a tarmac road. Follow it for about 1 km.

(9) Leave it on the right at a 180° left turn, entering the forest (1230m).
Descend between the meadow and the forest, heading generally east-northeast then east-southeast until you reach a carriage road (1110m).

(10) Follow it until it turns right towards some huts and continue south-east horizontally (1140m) across the meadow, which will soon begin to descend gently as it approaches the rocky ridge on the left.
Find a way down north towards a hut.

(11) Take the path that leads there and follow it to the road that takes you back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 974 m - Enclosure to the right of the D428 junction
  2. 1 : km 0.68 - alt. 987 m - Col d'Orgambidé
  3. 2 : km 1.11 - alt. 1,042 m - Start of the Monts d'Orion ridge
  4. 3 : km 1.88 - alt. 1,097 m - Start of descent
  5. 4 : km 2.48 - alt. 1,032 m - Stream
  6. 5 : km 2.91 - alt. 1,038 m - Entering the forest
  7. 6 : km 3.95 - alt. 1,066 m - Signpost
  8. 7 : km 4.49 - alt. 1,051 m - Start of the climb to the summit of Urkulu
  9. 8 : km 6.49 - alt. 1,408 m - Urkulu
  10. 9 : km 8.08 - alt. 1,229 m - Leaving the road
  11. 10 : km 8.73 - alt. 1,103 m - Junction with a carriageway
  12. 11 : km 10 - alt. 1,074 m - Path to a cabin
  13. S/E : km 10.98 - alt. 974 m - Enclosure to the right of the D428 junction

Notes

Caution (Moderator's notes)

- The hike takes place partly in France and partly in Spain (bring IGN France, IGN Spain or even OSM maps).
- The hike includes sections that are "off-trail," which requires a minimum of orientation skills.
- Fog reduces visibility, increasing the risk of getting lost.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
LM64
LM64

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with no one else around (because it was a Friday) and beautiful weather, so the scenery was stunning... Saw a puffball mushroom 20 cm in diameter!!!

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GLEPATIO
GLEPATIO

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike in good weather, but be sure to stay within sight or use a compass after the tower for the return journey. Follow the recommended route.

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Teilaria
Teilaria

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

VERY BEAUTIFUL ROUTE, A REAL FEAST FOR THE EYES; COMPASS ESSENTIAL. WE WERE ALL IMPRESSED.

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Jean GOURSAUD
Jean GOURSAUD

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with no significant difficulties. The estimated duration (4 hours 45 minutes) is very generous. No difficulty in finding your way, although some sections are "off-trail". Note that the paths under the woods are heavily trampled by herds of cows and therefore very muddy in wet weather (especially between points (5) and (6)).
You will encounter more people between point (7) and the summit of Urkulu, with hikers coming from the Arnosteguy pass.
As always, there is a wonderful reward when you reach the summit of Urkulu.

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chiara401
chiara401

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Good description. Very pleasant hike, especially in the wooded section, but quite challenging on the climb up Urkulu.
Overcast skies in the morning and a chilly north-easterly wind. A good day overall.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

@cibits

Thanks for the track.

I compared them on GPSVisualizer
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com.

It is clear that the author opted for a hike with long off-trail sections, which requires technical knowledge and mastery of navigation tools (map, compass and/or GPS). Whereas you opted to use paths and trails as much as possible. These differences are particularly visible on the OSM map.

But the author of the hike has his criteria; it's his hike, it's his choice.

And as pkmj083 perfectly mentioned on Thursday, 24 May 2018 at 15:26

You can invent your own route without risk of getting lost if there is no fog.

In conclusion, the virtual hikers will be the sole judges.

Best regards

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cibits
cibits
• Edited:

Hello Henri

I didn't know how to send you the link, but I found a way to contact you via private message.
I'll do what's necessary.
cibits

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henri57
henri57 ★
• Edited:

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback.

It should be noted that part of this hike is in France and part is in Spain, which is not clear from the description.

Added today in the practical information section.

For those who are interested, I have the actual GPS track.

Please send it to me. Just download it from the website below and send me the link by private message.

https://framadrop.org

See you soon!

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cibits
cibits
• Edited:

Overall rating : 1 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

Following on from my comment, the person who suggested this hike (Olem) had even previously titled their post
"Urkulu circular route from the Orgambidexka Pass", which is not the same place as "the Orgambide Pass". The latter is in the municipality of Esterençuby, not St Michel.

It should be noted that part of this hike is in France and the other part is in Spain, which is not clear from the description.

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cibits
cibits
• Edited:

I know this hike, as I have done it several times.
When you read the description and you're out there, nothing matches up.

Good luck to those who rely on this description!

For those who are interested, I have the actual GPS track.

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calou40
calou40

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The hike is really beautiful from start to finish.
It's not always easy to find the trail, but you can just use your GPS to find your way.
You can also do your own route in certain places.
BE CAREFUL!!!! Very windy and very cool.
The circular route is easy, except perhaps for the climb to the top of Urkul.

I forgot one small detail: when you reach the stream surrounded by meadows, I recommend taking a good break because the place is simply magnificent (I loved it).

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calou40
calou40
• Edited:

The hike is really beautiful from start to finish.
It's not always easy to find the trail, but you can just use your GPS to find your way.
You can also do your own route in certain places.
BE CAREFUL!!!! Very windy and very cool.
The circular route is not difficult, except perhaps the climb to the summit of Urkul.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to give your opinion.

The trail is not very well maintained.

By "marked on the map", we mean assessing how accurately the route shown on the map corresponds to the actual terrain.

Due to thick fog. Unfortunately, we were also unable to find our bearings.

Finding your way in foggy weather is not easy because it is difficult to match the map to the terrain. In this specific case, I recommend that you use the GPS app in addition to the description and map route.

The aim is not to be glued to your smartphone, but to have a tool that allows you to validate waypoints and thus remove any doubts about your orientation.

See you soon!

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Jeanny-Babe
Jeanny-Babe

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I attempted this hike with a friend, but we couldn't complete the circular route because of thick fog. Unfortunately, we also couldn't find our bearings and locate the trail, which isn't very well marked.
However, we were extremely happy to reach the Urkulu ruins, which were above the fog. It was magnificent!

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raphael.archis
raphael.archis

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk, thank you, but the signs are difficult to follow, especially when it's overcast. It's easier to follow the GR trail in the first forest.

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