Hiking tour – Basques Pyrenees

Day 1 – Arrival at SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT

The chief town of Basse Navarre is located at the base of the Roncevaux pass in a charming and lush pocket. The upper part of the city, encircled by fortified walls and the citadel – a fortification which had been built to prevent the Spanish invasions – were developed on the two banks of the Nive River. The city holds a rich patrimony which includes la prison des Evêques (Bishops’ Jail), la maison des états de Navarre, and the Romanesque bridge…that you shall not want to miss. lodging and breakfast in a 4-star hotel

Day 2 – SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT – ST ETIENNE DE BAÏGORRY (7 hour walk – alt. gain: 900 m)

You will leave the city for the small village of Lasse before attempting the first ascent to the Manhoa Summit (1021 m). You will walk through grazing lands down to the Urdanzia Pass and will continue making your way through large, green areas covered with high ferns until you reach the Ahara Pass. You will make your way on the flank of the valley, walking on stony paths through vast grazing fields, and will slowly descend to Saint Etienne de Baïgorry, a Basque village with white houses that stretches out in the valley along the river (lovely, shady square near old plane trees next to the fronton). The church next to the hotel is worth a visit. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel with pool

Day 3 – SAINT ETIENNE DE BAÏGORRY – BIDARRAY (8.30 hour walk – alt. gain: 1400 meters)

This is a long and gorgeous walk. After crossing the river and admiring the Romanesque bridge, you will start climbing up to the Buztanzelhay Pass. Walking in turn across summits and passes, you will follow the border between France and Spain and will cross l’Astate and the Pics (peaks) de Toutalia and Iparla. Then the path along the crests distances itself from Spain and progressively descends to the Nive Valley and Bidarray. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a charming 2-star hotel

Day 4 – BIDARRAY – AINHOA (7.30 hour walk – alt. gain : 800 meters)

You will meet with the Bastan Torrent at Le Pont d’Enfer (Hell’s bridge) and will walk back up the deep valley until you reach the hamlet of Arouchia at the end of the little road. You will continue climbing to the crests’ line which marks the border between France and Spain. Along the passes, you will reach the Mehatché Pass, located between the Artzamendi and Iguzki peaks. The path continues along the border and then runs along the flank of the slope under the crest of Mont Bizkayluze. You will pass round the Mont Atxulegi before joining the Troix Croix Pass and walking down to Ainhoa, seeing the Aubépine Chapel on the way. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel

Day 5 – AINHOA – ASCAIN (8 hour walk – alt. gain: 1050 m)

You will leave the village of Ainhoa, walking down the picturesque main street lined with white half-timbered houses with coloured window shutters. You will visit the picturesque church, with its wood ceiling and double gallery. You will arrive at and follow the Nivelle River before climbing to the Franco-Spanish border, passing through forests. You will walk along the border and down to Sare, a nice village characteristic of the Basque country. Sare holds a lovely church with a three-floor gallery. You will then begin your ascent of la Rhune, a famous summit of the Basque Country. You will be rewarded for your efforts by a wonderful view of the ocean, the forest of the Landes region and the Basque Pyrenees. You will finally walk down to Ascain, a charming little Basque village. Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel

Day 6 – ASCAIN – HENDAYE (7.30 hour walk – alt. gain: 650 m)

Transfer by taxi to the Montobaîta gîte which shortens this walk, cutting out several uninteresting kilometres of asphalt. From here, you will pass around the Cibourne Mountain, cross through a forest to the Ibardin Pass (tourist area) and then descend progressively to Biriatou, a picturesque little village nestling on the flank of the mountain and overlooking la Bidassoa. You will make your way through the green countryside until you reach the seaside and Hendaye, the last stage of this walk. Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel

Day 7 – HENDAYE

Tour ends after breakfast