Welcome to Euskal Herria! In this article, we invite you to discover the most beautiful hikes in the French Basque Country.
Most visitors discover the Northern Basque Country through Biarritz, Bayonne or Saint-Jean-de-Luz. However, both the inland Basque country and the Pyrenees boast landscapes of breathtaking wild beauty! From verdant alpine meadows dotted with flocks of sheep, pottoks and vultures, to the dizzying peaks that mark the Spanish border… there’s no shortage of opportunities to make hiking enthusiasts dream.
But what are the best trails to take to discover the region? In this article, we present the 11 most beautiful hikes in the French Basque Country.
1. Mondarrain peak
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Running time: approx. 3 hours 20 minutes
- Distance: 10 km
- Difference in altitude: 230 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
This hike in the French Basque country is a must. Accessible to the whole family, it takes you to the heights to admire a 360-degree panorama of mountains and coastline.
The trail is only 10 kilometers long, yet it’s sure to bring out the best in the region’s scenery… and you might even be lucky enough to come across a few pottoks, the famous wild Basque ponies!
If you decide to embark on this hike with children, make sure you follow the itinerary carefully. Otherwise, you’re likely to come across some fairly technical sections, with climbing involved.
2. Holzarte and Olhadubi canyons
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 4h30
- Distance: 13.4 km
- Height difference: 666 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
Looking for a technical challenge? Then set off to discover the Holzarte and Olhadubi gorges! Right from the start, the climb is steep. You reach the beautiful Holzarte footbridge, the highest point of this hike in the French Basque Country. You can turn back here, or continue on your way. However, the end of the trail is long and difficult.
As you can see, the route is not without its difficulties. But you’ll cross richly varied landscapes, alternating between forests, streams and waterfalls. A true moment of escape!
3. The Three Kings table
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 3h45
- Distance: 11.1 km
- Ascent: 1,260 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
Rendezvous near Lescun and set off in search of the Table des Trois Rois, situated at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. This hike in the French Basque Country will take you through wild, rocky landscapes whose charm evokes the origins of the region. Before you know it, you’ll have the chance to take in incredible panoramic views of the surrounding area.
It’s a tough route, but its end-of-the-world feel makes it ideal for contemplation. A real nugget!
4. Montagnon d’Iseye, Pic Mardas and Pic Lasnères
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Running time: approx. 4 hours 10 minutes
- Distance: 12.4 km
- Ascent: 1,248 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
Looking for a great hike in the Pyrenees? Then follow this mountain trail from the Col d’Arrioutort. It takes you to the Montagnon d’Iseye, which contains a magnificent heart-shaped lake. You’ll also cross Pic Mardas and Pic Lasnères, offering superb views of the surrounding area.
There are a few difficulties along the way. Bring good hiking boots and plenty of water.
5. Arratzolatze – Orhy peak
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 5h15
- Distance: 15.6 km
- Difference in altitude: 995 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
Rocky peaks, misty vistas and wild ponies are the order of the day on this superb hike in the French Basque country. It takes you up to the Pic d’Orhy, the giant of the Basque Pyrenees, rising to 2,007 meters above sea level. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, just a stone’s throw from the Spanish border.
The route includes some difficult sections, so is best reserved for experienced hikers.
6. Hautza via Urrizpilota and Usatxarreta
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: about 5h30
- Distance: 16.4 km
- Height difference: 1,393 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
This attractive loop trail takes you to the heights of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. It takes you to the summits of Trempetta (812 m), Urrizpilota (935 m), Elhorriko Kaskoa (983 m), Harrigorri (1,117 m), Autza (1,306 m), Olhate (925 m), the Olhateko Kaskoa ridge (858 m) and the Ispeguy pass (672 m). The views over the Baïgorri and Baztan valleys are simply magnificent.
A hike in the French Basque Country that reveals its charms in both summer and winter… But one that’s suitable for seasoned walkers who aren’t afraid of heights and sporting challenges!
7. Bidarray – Iparla peak
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 4h30
- Distance: 13.2 km
- Ascent: 964 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
Leaving Bidarray, cross the mountain pasture plateaus typical of the northern Basque country and reach the heights of the Iparla peak. You then have the option of continuing on to the ridges… Beautiful landscapes loom ahead, inhabited by vultures, with views of the Atlantic.
On the other hand, the climb is quite steep. We advise you to tackle it in the morning to take advantage of the shaded path. The descent is just as challenging, with a few technical sections. In other words, it’s best to be in good physical condition before embarking on this hike!
8. Buztanselai – Ubedo
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Running time: approx. 3 hours 10 minutes
- Distance: 12.6 km
- Ascent: 955 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Start this hike in the French Basque Country at Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry. The first part of the route takes you up to the Col d’Apaloy and then the Col de Buztanzelai via a pretty wooded path. Then the slope becomes very steep. For this reason, this trail is best suited to experienced hikers!
But it’s well worth the effort. From here, you can admire Euskal Herria on one side, bordered by the Atlantic, and the Spanish Pyrenees on the other. All along the descent, you’ll have the opportunity to observe this superb landscape. It’s a real treat, but we wouldn’t recommend it if you suffer from vertigo.
9. Col d’Arras via Chemin de la Mâture
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 2h30
- Distance: 9.8 km
- Difference in altitude: 706 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Looking for a hike in the French Basque Country that’s a little out of the ordinary? The Chemin de la Mâture is a famous trail in the Pyrenees. Carved out of the rock in the 18th century to ensure the transportation of timber from the Pacq forest, it winds its way up the gorges d’enfer.
It includes many technical passages, particularly on the last section. For this reason, it is not recommended for beginners or those afraid of heights. In any case, please take care when using it!
But after the effort, the comfort: the end of the hike is without difficulty. It’s a lovely, shady walk that takes you up to the Col d’Arras.
10. Lac du Montagnon
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 4h15
- Distance: 12.7 km
- Vertical rise: 1,161 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
This superb hike takes you to the heights, to discover the Lac du Montagnon. This mountain lake is unusual in that it is heart-shaped… It offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding peaks, including the emblematic Pic du Midi d’Ossau, which rises to 2,884 meters.
A real natural gem, but one that has to be earned! The trail is designed for experienced hikers in very good physical condition. The gradient is significant, and some sections are quite technical, particularly at the end of the trail.
11. Pic d’Anie from the Aberouat refuge
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Running time: 4h40
- Distance: 14 km
- Ascent: 1,165 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
This hike in the French Basque country offers breathtaking panoramas. It does, however, include some highly technical sections and is generally very difficult. It requires a good level of hiking ability and some knowledge of the mountain environment. What’s more, its signposting is rather haphazard. There are many paths that can take you off course… You’ll need to think ahead!
The Pic d’Anie will be your playground on this hike. Its atypical pyramidal silhouette and altitude of 2,507 metres make it an emblematic summit of the Pyrenees. As you climb it, you’ll pass through wildly varied landscapes. A true wonder!