Hiking in the Basque Country
Hiking in the Basque Country
During your stay in our hotel on the outskirts of Biarritz and Bidart, take advantage of our ideal location between the ocean and the mountains, and discover the Basque Country and its marked trails.
Arbonne : Perukain and Hourmalague Trails
Arbonne is a village with a relief composed of plains and hills, watered by numerous streams flowing into the nearby ocean.
There are two walks directly from Arbonne:
- Perukain: This pleasant 4.5 km long route alternates meadows and undergrowth. The nature of the vegetation indicates that water is present in abundance in the soil.
- Hourmalague: This itinerary, forming a loop of 4 km, allows you to follow the trail of the mills of Alotz and Ziburria.
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Numerous tours near Arbonne
Take advantage of the privileged location of our hotel. Discover numerous marked trails and hiking routes for all levels.
Here are a few examples:
TOUR OF LAKE SAINT PEE
Only 10 km from the hotel, enjoy a walk of about 3h30 around the lake of St Pée sur Nivelle from the city centre. Arriving at the lake, take a break and refresh yourself in the lake and enjoy the many activities offered at this leisure base.
FROM COLLAR TO COLLAR SINCE SARE
A very beautiful hike of about 12 km (4h40) which rises from Sare at the start of the car park near the town hall towards the Rhune and passes from pass to pass to offer you remarkable views of the mountain, the countryside and the ocean.
CHAPEL TOUR IN AINHOA
A magnificent 7.4 km (2h15) route with an ascent to the Chapel of Our Lady of Hawthorn, built at an altitude of 389 meters on the side of the Atsulai mountain, which will allow you to enjoy a magnificent panorama of the surrounding mountains.
Hiking in La Rhune
The summit of La Rhune, at an altitude of 905 metres, marks the border with the South Basque Country (Spain).
To climb this small mountain and enjoy a breathtaking view of the region, several routes can be taken. One of them starts from the village of Ascain, only 15 km from the hotel. The departure is from the quarry car park located near the village hall.
Taking this route, the ascent is about 2 hours and the descent is 1h30 with a difference in altitude of 870 m for 10.7 km.
For a quicker ascent, you can take the little train de la Rhune from the Col de Saint-Ignace station, an authentic collector’s cog railway train dating from 1924.
For more information on colds
and to book your tickets click here
The coastal path from Bidart to Hendaye
This hike of about 25 km will take you from Bidart to Hendaye by a superb trail.
It will make you overhang the ocean, between cliffs and typical villages of the Basque coast, while being able to admire the close mountains.
It does not present any particular difficulties and can be done in 5 to 7 hours depending on the walkers and their level or in several times.
It is possible to return to the starting point by bus.
Multiple entrances to make this hike:
– Bidart : Beach Erretegia
– Guéthary : Les Alcyons
– Saint-Jean-de-Luz : Sainte-Barbe
– Ciboure : Socoa
– Urrugne : La Corniche (viviers) and Asporrotzttipi (the Boléro)
– Hendaye : Abbadia et Sokoburru
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Iraty
In the heart of the Basque Country, between 1300 and 1500 metres above sea level, Iraty offers breathtaking panoramas.
You will also be captivated by the beauty and diversity of the fauna and flora.
Whether you are with your family or for the very sporty, at Iraty you will find the hike adapted to your level thanks to several marked hiking trails.
As for the Iraty forest, it is the largest beech forest in Europe. It is home to many species specific to this region.
Enjoy the serenity of an enchanting setting and a unique view of the mountains!
Each season has its own colour and activity!
In spring, the flowers start to appear and the Basque mountain regains its intense green. Take the time to observe them during your walk and let yourself be carried away by this feeling of well-being that nature offers you.
In autumn it’s an explosion of colours! And you can hear the roar of the deer and go mushroom picking.
For winter sports lovers, 14 km of snowshoe hiking trails and more than 28 km of Nordic skiing trails are always available in a majestic setting.
The GR 10: The great crossing of the Pyrenees
The GR10 is a long-distance footpath that crosses the Pyrenees on a marked route alternating valleys, peaks and passes.
It is a medium mountain itinerary that should not be taken lightly. A good experience of the mountain environment, a good physical condition and knowledge of the means of orientation will be necessary to achieve this incredible crossing between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
From the beach of Hendaye to the village of St Jean Pied de Port, this first part of the GR10 offers you an itinerary that will take you across the Basque country from the ocean. It will allow you to discover the typical villages nestled in the green valleys with their half-timbered houses, the pastures where you can cross the famous Pottok horses as well as the medium altitude mountains including the emblematic Rhune.
Cycling, freewheeling the Atlantic Ocean
The Vélodyssée is 1,200 km of bike paths and shared lanes. It runs along the Atlantic Ocean from Hendaye to Roscoff, in Brittany, and allows you to take advantage of unmissable sites in addition to the sumptuous landscapes that the Atlantic coast offers.
It is a cycle route that starts in Portugal and goes all the way up to Norway. It also crosses Spain, the United Kingdom and Ireland (although the route is not yet fully completed in these countries unlike France).
From Bayonne to Hendaye
No time or courage to ride the entire Velodym?
Be aware that there are many itineraries giving you the opportunity to cover only part of them. And here is a glimpse of one of them that will allow you to discover the beauty of the Basque coast
Leaving Bayonne, go through the town of Biarritz and its elegant streets, a quiet stopover in Arbonne and then on to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and its charming little port, all in enchanting landscapes with the Pyrenees as a backdrop. Between seaside resorts, fishing ports and typical towns, this itinerary also allows you to enjoy a view of the cliffs overlooking the ocean and its beautiful beaches.
