The 8 most beautiful walks around Hendaye

Want to discover the verdant face of the Basque Country? Discover our selection of the best walks around Hendaye.

Nestled in the heart of the Basque Country, at the gateway toSpain, the seaside resort of Hendaye is a town steeped in history. Prized for its miles of beach, its marina and the beauty of its neo-Basque houses, it attracts holidaymakers from all over France. A veritable paradise for water sports enthusiasts, it also holds many surprises in store for nature lovers. Let’s set off on some incredible hiking trails through natural landscapes.

Between verdant mountains and impetuous waves, discover our selection of the best walks around Hendaye.

1. GR® 10 Stage 1: From Hendaye to Col du Grand Descarga

Photo credit : Alltrails

We begin this selection with a hike around Hendaye on the GR 10, which crosses the Pyrenees from the Haute-Garonne to the Pyrénées-Orientales. Don’t worry, we’re not taking you on an 800 km journey through the mountains.

Start your 22 km journey along the Hendaye seafront to the Col du Grand Descarga. Admire the Pyrenean vegetation all around you in this mountain landscape. Heather, beech forest and hooked pine line your route. In the distance, La Rhune and its impressive lookout can be seen on the horizon of the Basque Country.

Please note that this challenging route is best suited to experienced hikers in excellent physical condition. Bring good walking shoes, hiking poles and food. Generation voyage recommends that you hike this trail in late June, when the days become longer, to admire the incredible flowering of the site.

2. Jaizkibel hike

Photo credit : Alltrails

For one of the most beautiful hikes around Hendaye, head to the Spanish Basque Country. Very popular with hikers, this footpath takes you up to Mount Jaizkibel, 543 meters high, from the Guadalupe monastery.

From the summit, take in an incredible view of the Cantabrian Sea and the Bay of Txingudi. The bay of Hendaye also stands out in a luminous panorama under the sun’s rays. Some viewpoints even feature an orientation table to help you identify the various peaks erected around you.

For history lovers, explore the remains of the war. Aramitz tower, Jaizkibel dome, Santa Barbara tower and Iselin dolmen are all part of the Basque heritage. Along the way, you’ll also encounter many pilgrims on the famous Pilgrim’ s Way to Santiago de Compostela.

3. Hiking from Irún to Hendaye

Photo credit : Alltrails

Not sure which hike to take around Hendaye without climbing mountains? A hike from Irún in Spain to Hendaye seems like the ideal option for a leisurely stroll with no major changes in altitude.

It’s 8 km long, and offers you the chance to join these two essential Basque towns on the Atlantic coast. As you stroll along, you’ll come across the Isle of Pheasants and the river’s unspoilt marshes. The gateway to Spain is just around the corner. You’ll pass over the Pont de Saint-Jacques and then skirt the bay of Chingoudy.

Can you smell the sea spray from Hendaye Bay? Your walk comes to an end in front of Hendaye’s main beach. Ice cream in hand, towel on the sand, admire the ballet of surfers battling the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

4. The Coastal Path from Hondarribia to Pasaia

Photo credit : Alltrails

What better way to combine nature and the ocean than by hiking the coastal path between Hondarribia and Pasaia? Armed with your walking sticks, take to the undulating landscape of this Spanish region. The sound of waves teasing the cliffs lulls you all the way to Cabo Bioznar in Pasaia.

What can you say about the panorama that unfolds before your eyes? On one side, the majestic mountains of Jaizkibel and Tximistarri; on the other, the Cantabrian Sea. Once you’ve reached your destination, reward your physical efforts with a cool drink and some delicious tapas.

5. Hiking from Pasaia to San Sebastian

Photo credit : Alltrails

For this hike around Hendaye, you start from the finish point of the previous hike: Pasaia. This 15 km walk is much easier than it looks from the port town. Between land and sea, admire the Plata lighthouse on its rocky spur 163 metres above the sea and the remains of a 19th-century aqueduct.

The most beautiful panorama of this itinerary unfolds before your eyes as soon as you arrive above the town of San Sebastian, or Donostia in Basque. This shell-shaped bay is one of the most beautiful in the world. You’ll soon understand why!

If you’re keen on water activities, rent kayaks or paddles to navigate the clear water to Isla de Santa Clara.

6. Col d’Ibardin hike via Lac d’Ibardin

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Famous for shopping and bargains on the French-Spanish border in the Pyrenees, the Col d’Ibardin rises to an altitude of 300 meters. Lovers of nature trails will be delighted by this hike around Hendaye.

This family-friendly walk takes you over the summit of the Col d’Ibardin to Lake Xoldokogaina, or commonly known as Lac d’Ibardin. Between the oaks and the pottoks (mountain horses) lies Lake Ibardin. Its soft, peaceful surface, tinged with fish jumps, will no doubt remind you of the distant landscapes of our Scottish neighbors (without the Loch Ness monster).

The best natural vantage point is the sumptuous dam, which reflects the color of the sky like a natural mirror. Embrace the breathtaking view over the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the Basque coast as soon as the sun rises.

7. Circular Paramoudras

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This 12 km hiking trail in the Pyrenees is well worth the detour for these geological curiosities, unique in the world. Have you heard of paramoudras? These regular, symmetrical rock formations are 45 million years old. Despite their age, these damselflies have resisted erosion for all that time on our planet. Whether you’re a geology enthusiast or just a little curious, admire these balls, cylinders of hard sandstone or flint in the cylinder-shaped chalk.

This walk between mountains, forests and meadows introduces you to the natural riches of this massif, which has been classified as part of the Natura 2000 network. Young and old alike can use their imagination in a variety of ways. Look, a turtle! And there’s a toad’s head! On the seaside, dolphins and whales play between the waves of the Cantabrian Sea. Keep your eyes peeled!

8. Rocher des Perdrix hike

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Le rocher des Perdrix is a 4 km circuit easily accessible to both experienced sportsmen and beginners. Without too much difficulty, you’ll reach the belvedere of the Rocher des Perdrix and the summit of Xoldo. On a clear day, the viewpoints embrace the Basque Coast, with views of La Rhune, the 3 Crowns and the Landes.

The Basque Country is waiting for you to discover its hiking trails!