• Pyrenees GR10: Part 1, Hendaye - St Jean Pied de Port

• 1 April - 31 October (every day subject to availability)

• From £800 / €890 in April, May, June, September & October
• From £830 / €920 in July & August
• Single supplement (minimum 2 in party): please consult us.
• Without bag transfer: less £200 / €225 per booking (2 in party)
• Extra night in St Jean Pied de Port B&B: £55 / €60
• All prices per person, except where stated

• 7 nights, 6 day's self-guided walking moving between hotels and guest houses

• Starting the mythical crossing of the Pyrenees via the GR10 long-distance trail
• First few days are relatively easy - gentle start to crossing the Pyrenees
• Unique landscapes & culture of the Basque Country
• Pretty town of Saint Jean Pied de Port built from red stone
• Only carrying a light rucksack

• 5 nights in hotels and 2 nights in welcoming guest houses. Half board except on day 1 and 7. Evening meals, often based on local specialities include a starter, a main dish and a dessert.

1. 7 nights' accommodation.
2. All breakfasts and 5 evening meals.
3. Full walking notes and maps.
4. Transport of luggage between accommodation , transfer on day 3, GPS files (if requested)

1. Travel to Hendaye and from St Jean Pied de Port
2. Lunches, evening meals on days 1 and 7 & drinks with meals
3. Any excursions or entrance fees
4. Travel insurance

• Find out more about the GR10 and the different walking holidays
• Pyrenees GR 10: Part 2, St Jean Pied de Port - Etsaut
• GR10 Part 3: Etsaut - Cauterets
• GR10 Part 4: Cauterets - Luchon
• GR10 Part 5: Luchon - Aulus les Bains
• See other walking holidays in the Pyrenees: Cerdagne Explorer - Pyrenees Coastal Trail - Azun Valley: Pyrenees Balcony Trail
• Return to Home Page

Walking Profile

6 days independent walking moving everyday between hotels and guest houses. It is graded moderate to challenging with average days which include 6-7 hours of walking and 800m of ascent & descent. The hardest day includes 7 hours and 30 minutes of walking and 1100m of ascent. The walking becomes harder and more mountainous as you progress. Paths are generally good and well defined, although they can be rocky and mountainous in character in places. You should have a good head for heights and be able to navigate.

Walking Holiday Day-by-day

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome at your hotel in Hendaye

Depending on your arrival time, after checking into your hotel, you may choose to walk in the region of Domaine d’Abbadia. A fantastic natural site of 65 hectares situated right on the coast. You will find a great mix of landscapes, moors, prairies, heather and high cliffs. You can also visit the famouse neo-gothic chateau, the Domaine d'Abbadie.
5.5km (2hrs), +80m, -80m

Day 2: Hendaye - Ibardin

Hendaye lies on the estuary of the River Bidassoa, which forms the border with Spain. The GR10 walking route begins its course on Hendaye Plage. Rising rapidly above the Atlantic, this first stage of the walk is pleasant. The landscape, scattered with villages, is peaceful and harmonious with the rolling hillsides. The ambience is very basque but there is no sign yet of the high dramatic mountains to come. 15km (5hrs30) +845m, -460m.

Day 3: Ibardin - Sare

During this stage, the path will pass by the massif of La Rhune (larrun: place of pasture, in Basque), considered as the first Pyrenean summit of the chain. At an altitude of 900m it is considered the first peak in the Pyrenean chain.its 905m, and is a sacred mountain for the Basques and a place full of history. Then you will reach the pretty village of Sare and its typically Basque architecture which integrates the originality of the surrounding environment.

16.5km (6hrs) +700m, -1000m.

Day 4: Sare - Col des Veaux

During this stage, you will cross at first the pleasant and preserved Basque countryside before arriving at Ainhoa, magnificent village-bastide of the XIIth century. Then, crossing small summits and passes, the route goes around the Ereby (583m), further on the Atxulegi (617m), and soon appears the Zuccuta pass, a superb belvedere. From there, depending on the weather conditions, you can reach the Col des Veaux by the trail or, if the weather is good, by staying on the ridge, off the GR10, continue to Gorospil Peak (691m), and enjoy the panorama of the Basque mountains.

22km (7hrs), +800m, -300m.

Day 5: Col des Veaux - Bidarray

The GR10 continues to alternate between the Pyrenean summits and mountain villages that have a strong Basque identity. The trail heads in the direction of Col de Mehatche situated at an altitude of 716m. You'll pass into a rocky landscape that is home to griffin vultures that circle high above. You descend to Bidarray village, an emblematic overnight stop that is vibrant with the characteristic Basque culture and lifestyle. 11.5km (4hrs), +360m, -800m.

Day 6: Bidarray - Saint Etienne de Baigorry

This challenging day is one of the most beautiful hiking routes in the Basque Country. From the charming village of Bidarray, you will start the ascent towards the Iparla ridges. From the bottom of the valley, they look like a long, impassable wall. From the top, you will enjoy an immense panorama. Then you'll descend towards Saint Etienne de Baigorry, a magnificent village in the Basque Country, with many typical Basque architecture buildings.

18km (7hrs30), +1100m, -1050m.

Day 7: Saint Etienne de Baigorry - St Jean Pied de Port

This is the final day of the first week's walking on the GR10 trail in the heart of the Basque Country. The track rises above St Etienne de Baigorry to reach the Oylarandoy and Munhoa massif, culminating at 1021m and overlooking St Jean Pied de Port, which you will reach after a long descent. Surrounded by pink sandstone ramparts, the medieval town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is attractive with its cobbled streets lined with old houses, its old bridge over the Nive river, picturesque facades on the water's edge, its sentry walk and imposing citadel reworked by Vauban.

19.5km (7hrs), +960m, -955m.

Day 8: Departure

Your holiday ends after breakfast in Saint Jean Pied de Port. Opportunity to visit the historic capital of Basse-Navarre.