Nature
Best hikes in the Basque Country: from La Rhune to the Pic d’Orhy
Easy, tough and legendary Basque Country hikes: La Rhune, Artzamendi, Holzarté, Pic d’Orhy, Jaizkibel, Gorbea, Anboto, Aizkorri, Txindoki. Heights, times, tips.
From the green hills of Labourd to the first 2,000-metre peaks of the Pyrenees, by way of the limestone summits of Gipuzkoa, the Basque Country — Euskal Herria, on both sides of the border — has hikes for every level. Here is a selection, from the easiest to the most demanding.
The northern side (French Basque Country)
Family walks
| Walk | Altitude | Start | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mont Ursuya | 678 m | Hasparren, Urcuray, Mendionde or Macaye | Family-friendly, about 2 hrs |
| Atharri circuit (Itxassou) | — | Laxia quarter | Easy, 9.2 km, 3 hrs |
| Holzarté footbridge (Larrau) | — | Auberge de Logibar | About 1 hr up, 2 hrs there and back |
- Ursuya looks out over the Hasparren area: a climb within reach of families, with several possible starting points.
- The Holzarté footbridge, suspended more than 150 m above the Olhadubi canyon, is one of the most spectacular walks in Soule. The Logibar car park is small, so the shuttle bus is recommended. See Larrau.
The summits of Labourd and Lower Navarre
- La Rhune (Larrun, 905 m) — Labourd’s iconic summit, straddling France and Spain. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the ascent; you can start from the Col de Saint-Ignace, Sare, Ascain, Olhette or the Col de Lizuniaga, with five routes of varying difficulty. The little train lets you ride back down. Everything you need to know is in our complete guide to La Rhune.
- Baigura (897 m) — starting from the outdoor activity centre in Mendionde; the site also offers paragliding, climbing, mountain biking and off-road scooters.
- Artzamendi (924 m) — the highest point in Labourd according to our Itxassou guide, with its cromlechs. The Mondarrain–Artzamendi circuit is 22 km long and takes about 8 hrs 15 mins: it is difficult.
The Pic d’Orhy (2,017 m), the first ‘2,000’ of the Pyrenees
On the borders of Soule and Navarre, the Pic d’Orhy is the westernmost summit over 2,000 m in the whole Pyrenean range, and the highest point in Soule. The easiest route starts from the Port de Larrau pass. It is a mountain with a strong presence in Basque culture: ‘the bird of Orhy’ (Orhiko xoria) recurs in poetry, proverbs and traditional songs.
The GR 10, for serious walkers
The GR 10 long-distance path crosses the entire French Pyrenees, from Hendaye to Banyuls-sur-Mer: 916 km in 52 stages, or around fifty days. Along the way it passes the Holzarté footbridge in Soule. Recommended season: mid-June to the end of October.
The southern side (Spanish Basque Country and Navarre)
Jaizkibel, facing the ocean
Above Hondarribia, Jaizkibel can be walked from Pasaia Donibane or from the Guadalupe sanctuary (Hondarribia), with easy options as well as short, steep ones. Views over the ocean and Txingudi bay.
The Basque ‘big three’
Three iconic summits, brought together in events such as the Hiru Haundiak trail race (‘the three big ones’):
| Summit | Altitude | Natural park | Classic route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aizkorri | 1,528 m (highest point of the massif: Aitxuri, 1,551 m) | Aizkorri-Aratz (2006) | From the Arantzazu sanctuary, via the Urbia meadows |
| Anboto | 1,331 m | Urkiola (1989) | From the Urkiola pass |
| Gorbea | 1,482 m | Gorbeia | From Álava or Biscay |
- Aizkorri is the highest massif in the Basque Autonomous Community. At the summit: a shepherds' refuge dating from 1934 and the Santo Cristo hermitage. Other routes: through the San Adrián tunnel (the ‘Calvary path’, a steep 30-minute climb through limestone) or from Zegama. See the Arantzazu sanctuary.
- Anboto is the mountain where Basque mythology places the home of Mari, the ‘Lady of Anboto’. See Durango.
- Gorbea is topped by a 17.23 m metal cross, in place since 1907; hundreds of mountain-lovers traditionally gather there at New Year. See Laudio/Llodio.
Txindoki, the ‘Basque Matterhorn’
In the Aralar range, Txindoki (1,346 m) owes its nickname to its pyramid-shaped silhouette, a symbol of the Goierri valley. The easiest route starts from Larraitz (Abaltzisketa): about 1 hr 45 mins to the Egurral col, before the final ascent along a limestone ridge.
Gentler walks in Navarre
- The source of the Urederra: 6 km there and back, 2 to 3 hours, booking required.
- Bertiz park: seven trails, from 1.5 km to 22 km.
Details in our guide to nature escapes.
Our tips
- Choose according to your level and the amount of ascent, not just the distance.
- Respect the livestock and close gates behind you: many walks cross summer pastures.
- For pilgrims, see also the Route Napoléon.
Sources
- Bayonne tourist office — The most beautiful walks from Bayonne
- Itxassou town council — Leisure, outdoors, activities (in French); Pays Basque tourist office — The Holzarté footbridge (in French)
- Wikipedia (English): Pic d’Orhy, Aizkorri, Txindoki
- Wikipedia (French): GR 10
- Wikipedia (Spanish): Urkiola Natural Park, Mount Gorbea
- Carreras de montaña — Hiru Haundiak (Aizkorri, Anboto, Gorbea)
Ongi etorri — happy hiking!