Urrugne walks

The old coastal path along the Basque coastline from Ciboure to Hendaye is permanently closed to pedestrians due to coastal erosion and numerous landslides.A new path, further inland, has been temporarily proposed by the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Department. This is the route described here. (!) Comment from a user on 30 August 2025 >Hello, access to this route is now prohibited between SOCOA point (1) and the corniche house point (8) by prefectural decree. Could you please note this restriction, as I have informed and discouraged hikers who were venturing onto this section.nOTE: The comment dated 25 July 2025 is the subject of this proposal, but the signs had not yet been put up.FFRando64. GR®8 coastlineexplanatory pdf from FFRando 64

Lake Ibardin with a detour that has become mandatory since crossing the dam is no longer permitted.We therefore descend along the left bank of the stream to complete a true circular loop.

A beautiful loop that climbs up to Xoldoko Gaina, then descends to the Col d'Osin (Osingo Lepoa), passes through the Col des Poiriers (Pitare), an area rich in monoliths, and returns along the side of Xoldo, skirting the lake.

This is a very easy hike that starts at the foot of the Col d'Ibardin next to the old customs house, climbs up to the pass and descends on the side facing the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. It is called the Sentier des Mulets (Mule Trail) in reference to the convoys of mules that once criss-crossed the mountain to carry all kinds of goods, not necessarily declared at customs, across the border. For the record, Pierre Loti's novel Ramuntcho, written in Ascain, recounts these stories of smugglers.

Meadows on pink cliffs. In the coves, the waves erode these pink cliffs, which continue to crumble into the sea. The moorland above the ocean, the cliffs and the pretty bay of Loya (Loïa) are unspoilt corners of nature thanks to the work of the Conservatoire du Littoral, which manages the area. It would appear that dogs are not allowed on the trail, even on a leash!

Climb to the summit of Ciboure Mountain to discover the Basque Coast via the Insola forest.

A hike in the heart of nature, with views of either the sea or the mountains, but also offering the chance to discover dolmens and a fortified camp dating back to Napoleon.

La Petite Rhune, passing by the Yasola venta, offers an unusual view of La Rhune. Follow this trail towards the Col de Kizkuitz to discover an unusual feature of the Rhune massif. The return to the Col des Trois Fontaines will allow you to seek out the little secrets of the Ihizelai rocky plateau.

A beautiful route to discover La Rhune in all its glory.

Starting from Biriatou, climb Xoldoko Gaina and its tower. This hike takes you quickly up the Basque Coast, with views of La Rhune, the 3 Couronnes and the Côte d'Argent in the Bay of Biscay. The return journey is along the Bidassoa.

A short hike up Mont du Calvaire above Biriatou, with views of Xingudi Bay and the Basque coast.

A circular route to discover three peaks overlooking the Basque coast to the north and the Bidasoa valley to the south.

A beautiful hike that combines superb views and varied trails. Definitely do it in good weather to enjoy the landscapes that await you.

Lake Xoldokogaina, also known as Lake Ibardin, is located at an altitude of 330 m in the Arola Valley, surrounded by the Xoldo, Munhoa and Onéaga mountains. It was created in the early 1930s as a water reserve. Swimming and fishing are prohibited. A hike starting from the car park, below the ventas (traditional Basque restaurants) when arriving from the pass, provides access to the lake and offers beautiful views of the Basque coast and the surrounding mountains. The trail crosses pastureland where you may encounter pottoks and betisoak. The Ibardin Pass offers exceptional views of the Spanish and French Pyrenees. The site is ideal for relaxing by the water or enjoying a picnic.

Walk from the San Martial hermitage with panoramic views on both sides of the border.To be avoided during the hunting season, as the path is lined with pigeon shoots.

These are three peaks, Bizkartzun, Zuhalmundi and Esnaur, clearly visible from Saint-Jean-de-Luz and located behind Ascain. Emblematic of the nearby hinterland, they each offer a superb 360° view of the coast, the Rhune and the Pyrenees further east. This route takes you up these peaks one after the other on an easy trail with steep sections, flat sections, scree, a bit of tarmac and dirt tracks, all in a stunning setting.

This is a short walk we did in October to discover the Esnaur and then gather some chestnuts along the pretty Arraioko Erreka stream.

A short detour takes you past the bottom of Esnaur, then Suhalmendi and finally up Bizkarzun, two peaks in Ascain dominated by the Rhune.

This hike passes by a Basque pig farm, which produces Kintoa charcuterie and cured meats. Mount Esnaur offers a beautiful view of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ascain.

A double loop around Bizkartzun allows you to discover this often overlooked waterfall.

This beautiful loop, which takes you from the bottom of the valley to the peaks of Suhalmendi and Esnaur via the Basque pig trail, will allow you to discover many facets of the Basque Country.

This hike takes you up the Suhalmendi for a magnificent 360° view of the Pyrenees and the ocean. You'll also discover the Basque pig that makes such delicious hams and other charcuterie. There's also a nice little picnic area where you can enjoy your picnic.

La Rhune in a wide loop below Miramar. A little-used path to the Col des Trois Fontaines. A little longer, but easy and with much better views.

A hike that will lead you to one of the primary summits of the Pyrenees, offering you a view over the entire Basque country, French and Spanish.

The typical, picturesque village of Fontarrabie is one of the region's finest examples of Basque-Spanish culture and architecture. With its facades of brightly-colored wood contrasting with the surrounding white, its pedestrian streets, ancient fortifications and cathedral, it's a Basque journey summed up in one town. Numerous cafés and "pintxos" bars line the route for a gastronomic break.

Signposted loop on the SL-GI-1006 trail which passes at the foot of the Aitzondo waterfall and along the Irugurutzeta kilns. Apart from the incline at the start and the staircase to follow, the rest of the hike is a pleasant, mostly shaded walk with no major difficulties. The spectacle of the great waterfall is magnificent for those who manage to get close enough.

A pretty loop near the town of Irun to climb to the summit of San Martial, then on to the Ermita de San Martial with its exceptional view over the bay of Txingudi.Please note: due to the presence of numerous hunting posts, this hike should not be attempted during the pigeon hunting season.

This half-day loop follows the coast from Cap Figuier to Artzu Portua, offering beautiful views of the sea and rocky ledge.The outward journey uses the GR®121, which runs along the coast, while the return is via a path that follows the contour lines, and is therefore flat and without difficulty.

Short walk with beautiful views of the Three Crowns and Lake Endara on the Errenga River.

Take a short tour of the Basque pig farm that gave rise to the Kintoa designation, with a picnic at the Ascain sheepfold.

A stroll along the Domiko Canal then a descent to Embalse de Endara before returning to the start via the GR®11.

Discovery of an old mine and access routes via numerous tunnels that had been dug into the mountain. All this in the forest of the Aiako Harria (Aia Mountains in Basque) nature park, also known as the Three Crowns.

A beautiful loop from the charming village of Vera de Bidassoa with a magnificent view of La Rhune on the way up and a pleasant descent through the forest.

Very close to the town of Irun, this route takes you into the heart of nature, where you can breathe in the fresh air far from the traffic. You will climb a small hill, but you will also learn a little history as you discover an ancient tower that was once used to defend the town of Irun.

A short hike along the most pleasant part of the Basque coastal path.

A round trip to the first two summits of the Three Crowns, plus a third as a preamble. For the less adventurous, the climb to Txurrumurru requires crossing a rocky bar that can be tricky. Nevertheless, it's worth the effort to reach the narrow passage between two boulders that gives a view of Lake Endara. Going to the last summit, Erroilbide, is much trickier and requires experience, which is why it is not mentioned in this itinerary.

What more could you ask for in the coastal area of the Southern Basque Country: mountainous landscape, granite terrain and a ridge path! The Three Crowns massif offers three peaks to explore. We will start this route with Erroilbide, then Txurrumurru and finally Irumugarrieta. The view is magnificent, with a 360° panorama of the Southern Basque Country and the Labour coastline stretching as far as the Landes. The route along the ridge includes passages, in couloirs and on slabs, which must be negotiated with caution.Some passages require the use of your hands. There is a fixed ring on the ascent to Txurrumurru. Not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo.

Nice hike to the top of La Rhune, along the pigeon fields, on the south side, avoiding the crowds and the little cogwheel train.

Another way to climb La Rhune. You won't have to contend with the crowds on the more popular trails. Here, there are very few people, except for the locals.

This is a short walk with no other aim than to spend a pleasant moment in a superb landscape and enjoy the peace and quiet of the wide open spaces of the Basque Country.

A very beautiful hike that climbs from Sare towards La Rhune and passes from pass to pass, offering remarkable views of the mountains, countryside and ocean.

Discover the Basque coast from Bidart, where you can watch the surfers, to the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The route is uneven between the very pleasant coastal path and the detours behind the numerous properties. You can end your visit at the beach in Saint-Jean-de-Luz or relax in the town.

Starting from Sare, a beautiful little village in the Basque Country, a short hike allows you to discover the beautiful landscape around the village.

This beautiful hike will allow you to discover the most famous peaks of the Basque Country as you climb, as well as enjoy a wide view of the ocean.

With the beautiful village of Sare as its starting point, this hike showcases the built heritage, old stones, history and landscapes in a very varied loop where there is no room for monotony. From a sporting point of view, the climbs and descents follow one another without transition, never very long, but admittedly with a few steep sections that are sometimes quite tough. It takes a little effort to complete this varied circuit between the town hall square and the heights of the Col de Saint-Ignace. But above all, there are discoveries to be made along the way. Walking along the cobblestones of the old galtzada (medieval road) is a poignant introduction to the area's heritage, followed further on by an old wash house, the remains of Napoleonic redoubts and traditional houses and barns.

A circular walk that passes over the summit of Kopako Harria and overlooks Lake Endara.

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

Starting from refreshing streams, a warm-up walk through chestnut and oak woods gradually reveals the other side of the Rhune, towering above the foggy plains iridescent with the first rays of the sun. After following a small canal, the route climbs into the open, widening the view of the hillsides. The slope becomes steeper along the edge of the forest, then along the border, before levelling out onto a wide, beautiful lawn. It is then time to climb the last slopes leading to the summit of Ibanteli. This summit offers a breathtaking 360° panorama of the Basque countryside, the ocean, the Rhune, the Col d'Ibardin, the Peñas de Hayas and, to the east, the Pyrenees and Atxuria. In this direction, you can also see the Lizarrieta border pass, which may be waiting for you for a refreshing break or a typical, hearty lunch..

A beautiful hike that allows you to admire many legendary peaks of the Basque Country and gain a better understanding of wood pigeon hunting.