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From Urrugne (exit 2 of the A63 motorway), at the roundabout on the outskirts of town, follow signs for Col d'Ibardin and Ascain (D4). After 3.5 km, at the intersection between the D4 and D404, turn right to climb the narrow road to Col d'Ibardin. At the pass, turn right towards the shops and park in the first large car park (on the right).
(S/E) At the far end of the Col d'Ibardin car park (altitude 325 m), take a path on the left that leads back to the road, which you must climb between restaurants and shops. At Venta Gorria, continue left on the steep tarmac road to the highest shop (Venta Elizalde): ignore the two paths here (including theGR®10) and follow a horizontal path on the right (antenna). You will come to a barrier.
(1) Go straight ahead and, at the Y-junction, take the path on the left. It climbs steeply in two hairpin bends, with views of the Atlantic coast. Ignore the first forest path on the right further up, then an open path on the left, and stay on the main path straight ahead. At the end of the upper edge of a conifer plantation, you will reach an intersection (altitude 505 m), near the entrance to a cave (on the left).
(2). Leave theGR® marked trail here and descend to the right through the grass, walking straight along the edge of the forest (steep slope). In the lower part, walk along a beech forest and then, still on the main path at the edge of the forest, avoid a bump on the right. Behind it, the descent becomes steeper and leads to a T-junction under a large oak tree (altitude 270 m).
(3) Turn right to follow the path along the edge of the lake, which can be seen intermittently through the foliage. At the eastern tip of the lake (altitude 256 m), a clearer gap allows you to get closer to it. After your break, continue on the same path, which begins to climb again towards a first T-junction (oak tree): continue left on the main path to reach a sharp bend.
(4) At Col d'Oneaga (altitude 295 m), you will come to an intersection of several paths. Turn right and walk along a wide, slightly ascending track. Pass by a viewpoint overlooking the lake. You will arrive at a fork at the foot of a large oak tree.
(5) Continue straight ahead. After a fleeting view of Saint-Jean-de-Luz Bay on the left, then a more open view of La Rhune opposite, the almost horizontal track crosses the forests and later rejoins the back of the ventas and the Col d'Ibardin. (S/E)
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