• Pyrenees: Mountains to Atlantic Ocean

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

• From £720 / €810 in April, May, June, September & October
• From £750 / €845 in July & August
• Single supplement (minimum 2 in party): £110 / €125
• Without bag transfer: less £100 / €110 per booking
• Extra night in St Jean Pied de Port B&B: £55 / €60
• Extra night in Hendaye B&B: £55 / €60
• All prices per person and based on 2 sharing a room, except where stated

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

• Discovery of the Basque Coast and mid-mountain landscapes
• The charm of the villages we pass through: Sare, Ainhoa, St Etienne de Baigorry, St Jean Pied de Port
• A well-established local terroir: gastronomy, culture, architecture.
• Hiking on the mythical GR10

• 4 nights in hotels and 3 nights in welcoming guest houses/gites. 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 St Jean Pied de Port and from Hendaye
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
• 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 challenging with average days which include 6 hours 30 minutes of walking, about 18km and 800m of ascent & descent. The hardest day includes 7 hours and 30 minutes of walking and 1050m of ascent. 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, have experience of walking in the mountains, know how to navigate and be in good physical condition.

Walking Holiday Day-by-day

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome at your hotel in St Jean Pied de Port

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is the capital of the Pays Basque region. It lies in a circle of hills at the foot of the Roncevaux pass into Spain. After checking into your hotel you may choose to do a walk in the surrounding area. A chance to discover the many delights of this seductive region.
Explore St Jean and its surroundings
Walk through the Irouléguy vineyards and the village of Ispoure, in the surroundings of the capital of the Basse Navarre - a region with many touristic assets.
Kurutxamendi loop
The Kurutxamendi is a small hill dominating Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. This pedestrian loop can be the object of a pleasant short and easy stroll at the side of the pilgrims who go to St Jacques de Compostela. Despite the low altitude, however, you will have good visibility on the peaks of Navarre, and even Labourd.

Distance : 8km, duration : 3h, altitude gain : +280m, descent : -280m.

Distance : 5km, duration : 1h30, altitude gain : +145m, descent : -145m

Day 2: St Jean Pied de Port - Saint Etienne de Baigorry

A challenging first stage in the heart of the Basque Country, with the ascent of the Mont Munhoa, culminating at 1021m, and the Oylarandoy massif, before reaching the wonderful village of Saint Etienne de Baigorry.

Distance : 19,5km, duration : around 7h, altitude gain : +955m, descent : -960m.

Day 3: Saint Etienne de Baigorry - Bidarray

Today is another challenging walk that is one of the most beautiful hiking trails of the Basque Country. It leads you to Bidarray through some breath-taking scenery, such as extraordinary red sandstone cliffs along the famous crest of Iparla and its culminating peak at 1044m. From there, you will enjoy an immense panorama. Then you'll go descend towards the charming village of Bidarray.

Distance : 18,5km, duration : around 7h30, altitude gain : +1050m, descent : -1100m.

Day 4: Bidarray - Col des Veaux

A section between small peaks and villages with a strong Basque identity. The trail heads toward the Col de Mehatche, situated at an altitude of 716m. You pass into a rocky landscape, home to griffin vultures that swirl above you.

Distance : 11,5km, duration : around 4h30, altitude gain : +800m, descent : -360m.

Day 5: Col des Veaux - Sare

Passing small summits and passes, the itinerary winds its way through the Zuccuta Pass, a superb lookout, and bypasses the Atxulegi (617m) and then Ereby (583m). Afterwards, descend to the magnificent village of Ainhoa, a 12th century bastide settlement. Finally, walk through pleasant and preserved Basque countryside, to reach Sare, another pretty Basque village.

Distance : 22km, duration : around 6h45, altitude gain: +400m, descent : -850m.

Day 6: Sare - Ibardin

During this stage, the trail passes through the massif of La Rhune (larrun: place of grazing, in Basque language), considered as the first Pyrenean summit of the chain and whose 905m summit, remains the sacred mountain of the Basque people and a place full of history. You'll spend the night at the Col d'Ibardin, located on the border, with its ventas. An opportunity to taste the Spanish atmosphere and admire the superb views over the valley.

Distance : 18km, duration : around 6h45, altitude gain : +1050m, descent : -750m.

Day 7: Ibardin - Hendaye

From the border, walk through lush green landscapes against the backdrop of the ocean and sites with a strong Basque imprint, descend the foothills of the Atlantic Pyrenees, leaving the Rhune behind you, to reach the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and Hendaye, a lively coastal town bordered by the superb bay of Txingudi.

Distance : 15km, duration : around 5h, altitude gain : +460m, descent : -845m.

End of your tour in Hendaye. Opportunity to visit the city and enjoy its sandy beach.

Day 8: Departure

Your holiday ends after breakfast in Hendaye.