Hotel Andreinia
Warm welcome and comfortable stay in this hotel with heated pool. 2 star hotel close to the port in Hendaye at the start of the GR10 in the heart of the mountains
Highlights
Second stage of the mythical crossing of the Pyrenees via the GR10 long-distance trail
Unique landscapes & culture of the Basque Country
Villages and pastures in the traditional landscape of Bearn country
Some long and rewarding days for those that like a challenge
Only carrying a light rucksack
Let 's discover the full itinerary!
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome at your hotel in Saint 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 beautiful region.
Explore St Jean and its surroundings
Walk through the Irouleguy vineyards and the village of Ispoure, in the surroundings of the capital of the Basse Navarre. 9km (3hrs), +300m, -300m.
Kurutxamendi loop
The Kurutxamendi is a small hill dominating Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. This is a short and easy circular trail following alongside the pilgrims who go to St Jacques de Compostelle. Despite the low altitude, you will have good views of the peaks of Navarre and Labourd. 5km (1hr30), +150m, -150m.
Overnight: St Jean Pied de Port
Day 2: St Jean Pied de Port - Esterencuby
The GR10 stays in the Pays Basque for approximately 170km of walking, winding its way through tiny villages but always staying on the French side of the border. The trail heads out in an Easterly direction from St Jean towards the nearby hills. Following the deepening valley past small, isolated farms, sparkling mountain streams and steep green slopes. You get glimpses of the higher Pyrenean peaks to the East. The landscape is rural and distinctly Basque, as you pass through villages such as Caro. Your day ends at Esterencuby, where you can enjoy the local atmosphere.
Overnight: Esterencuby, Walk: 12km (4hrs), +500m, -450m.
Day 3: Phagalcette - Iraty
In the morning, short transfer from Esterencuby to Phagalcette. A challenging but beautiful walk today. The GR10 traverses some stunning, rural countryside along cols and ridges with airy views across the beech filled valleys. There are many species of birds such as honey buzzards, black kites, red kites, cranes and storks. Herds of horses, cows and sheep graze on the hillsides. The GR10 swings up onto the flat topped Occabe before arriving in the huge majestic forest of Iraty.
Overnight: Iraty, Walk: 20.5km (7hrs45), +1400m, -700m.
Day 4: Iraty - Logibar
Heading off from Iraty, today’s walk is mainly downhill. High mountain passes and ridges with spectacular views across the dense forest. You head towards the ridge of Ugatze at 1170m before heading towards your gite at Logibar. 16km (6hrs30), +450m, -1400m. Variation possible in case of bad weather, via the village of Larrau.
Overnight: Logibar, Walk: 11km (3hrs30), +200m, -1150m.
Day 5: Logibar - Senta
From the hamlet of Logibar, the GR10 passes the canyon of Holzarte with its famous bridge. The GR progresses in the direction of the plateau of Ardakhotchia before arriving at the ‘cayolar de Saratze’, altitude 1205m. Cayolars are the traditional shepherd’s cabins. To get to the hamlet of Senta, your walking trail takes you into the valley of Baretous. You have now left the Basque country and have entered a region called the Bearn. It is a region that functions to the rhythm of nature’s calendar and a rural pastoral life.
Overnight: Senta, Walk: 25.5km (8hrs), +1270m, -1050m.
Day 6: La Pierre-Saint-Martin - Lescun
In the morning, short transfer from Senta to La Pierre-Saint-Martin (20mins.) (It's also possible to walk this part, adding a night in La Pierre St Martin). The GR10 makes its way to Arres de Camplong and on to the L’Anie massif. There are superb views of the Pas d’Azuns mountains in the direction of the Pic d’Anie at 2504m, one of the first really high summits in the mountain chain. The trail continues into the famous glacial cirque at Lescun. The views are superb; the summit of Camplong, the Pic Billare and the nearby plateau of Sanchese.
Overnight: Lescun, Walk: 15.5km (6hrs30), +500m, -1150m.
Day 7: Lescun / Borce - Etsaut
This is the last day’s walking for this stage of the GR10 between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Etsaut. The trail comes out of the Lescun glacial cirque and progresses towards a series of small charming mountain villages. After passing by the plateau de Lhers and the Col de Barancq, you arrive at the village of Etsaut in the famous Aspe valley. This is the gateway to the Pyrenees National Park.
Overnight: Estaut, Walk: 16km (6hrs15) +850m, -1150m.
Day 8: Departure
Your walking holiday ends after breakfast.
At a glance
1 June - 30 September
From €1020
Self-Guided
7 nights / 6 or 7 days walking
Linear Trail
Distance: 15 - 25km per day
Ascent: 360-1500m per day
Gites in rooms for 2 (except for 1 night)
Half-board
Other walking holidays along the GR10 in French Alps
Pyrenees GR10, Part 1: Hendaye - St Jean Pied de Port
Pyrenees GR10, Part 3: Estaut - Cauterets
Pyrenees GR10, Part 4: Cauterets - Luchon
Pyrenees GR10, Part 5: Luchon - Aulus-Les-Bains
Pyrenees GR10, Part 6: Aulus-Les-Bains - Merens
Other long distance treks in the mountains
GR5 Part 1: Traversing the Alps from Lake Geneva to Nice
Full list of self-guided walking holidays
GR 10 Trek
This self-guided walking holiday is the second part of a wonderful & dramatic 415km crossing of the Pyrenees Mountain chain between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean along the GR10 long distance trail. You'll amble through stunning scenery that varies enormously, with flower filled meadows, sparkling lakes, cirques and high summits. You’ll get a taste of many different cultures, from the Basque country by the Atlantic to Catalonia by the Mediterranean. Each valley you pass through has its own distinct flavour.
This section of the GR10 long distance trail starts in St Jean Pied de Port in Basque Country and then weaves its way from village to village, through the French side of the Pyrenees. It is a great opportunity to discover typical villages of the region including Esterencuby or the hamlet of Logibar and then Sainte-Engrace, the most eastern Basque mountain village. From this point on the GR10 enters typically Pyrenean, high mountain landscapes in the Bearn. In gaining altitude you will reach Saint-Martin before descending to the village of Lescun, famous for its glacial cirque. The end of this part of the long distance self-guided GR10 trail is at the village of Etsaut, in the Aspe valley, gateway to the famous Pyrenees National park.
Holiday Profile
7 night/8 days: 6 or 7 days independent walking moving between accommodation
Dates
Everyday (subject to availability) from 1 June to 30 September
Walking Profile & Grade
6 days independent walking moving everyday between hotels and one refuge. It is graded strenuous, although the average days include 6 - 7 hours walking and 850m of ascent & descent. The hardest day, however, includes 8 hours of walking and 1410m 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 and be able to navigate. There are two strenuous days with well over 1000m of ascent. On all but one of the other days when the ascent is less, there is over 1000m of descent in the day.
This walking holiday is graded strenuous. See more information about walking grades.
Accommodation & Meals
7 nights in rooms for 2 in hotels and 1 night in a mountain gite in dormitories. Half board except on day 1.
Where is this trek?
When to Travel
Our self-guided walking trail along part 2 of the GR10 long distance path is available from 1 June to 30 September. This second stage of the trek goes over mounatin passes and ridges approaching 1500m and so before June there is a high risk of snow on the trail and some of the accommodation is not open. June is the best month for wild flowers and is also a relatively dry period along with July. In August and September there are more periods of stormy weather, on avergae. From mid September night time temperatures tend to be fresher. The busiest period in terms of fellow walkers is from Mid July to mid August.
Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps
The vast majority of this walking holiday follows the GR10 (Grande Randonnee) long distance trail which is very well way-marked with red and white markings. There are also a number of signposts along the trail. The walking follows clear paths for its entire duration. Some small sections follow local or unmarked trails, for example to access accommodation, but these are easy to follow. On this particular walking holiday we use the Cicerone guide books. As well as the walking notes we supply walking maps. You'll be provided with detailed 1:25,000 walking maps.
Luggage Transfers
On this walking holiday you can choose to have your main luggage transferred between accommodation so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday several local taxi companies are responsible for transporting your main luggage. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 15kg.
Travel Info
How to arrive in St Jean Pied de Port
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By Plane: Biarritz Parme airport (25km) : daily flights from Paris, London, Lyon. www.biarritz.aeroport.fr
Toulouse-Blagnac airport (180km, 1.00); flights from several UK airports with Easyjet -
By train :TER trains to Bayonne, from main cities. Then, trains from Bayonne to Saint Jean Pied de Port.
Consult the SNCF website, www.ter-sncf.com, for more information and timetables. -
By car : Bordeaux auto route A63, 172km ; then D918 from Bayonne to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, 48km. Toulouse auto route A64, 293km, then Bayonne to Saint-Jean, 48km. Free parking in St Jean de Pied de Port at the top of the rue d’Espagne in front of the college.
How to return from Etsaut
From Etsaut, bus to Pau via Oloron. Trains from Pau to Toulouse, Tarbes, Bordeaux and Paris.
How to return to St Jean Pied de Port :
Bus from Etsaut to Oloron Ste Marie, train to Pau, another train to Bayonne and another train from Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port.
www.ter-sncf.com to consult a timetable.
We recommend arriving by train to avoid returns to St Jean to recover your car, because the return journey is long by public transport and very expensive if you take a taxi. If you have to come by car, we recommend that you leave your car in Hendaye on the first day and return by public transport because you will not be tired by a week's walking.
Please contact us for assistance in organising your travel arrangements
Further Information & Advice
For useful advice about independent walking trips and preparing for your self guided holiday please take a look at the articles in our top-tips section. Once you have booked on this independent walking or trekking holiday, further information about the walking, the region and what to bring, will be sent to you. We do have a web page dedicated to what clothes and equipment you should bring.
7 nights / 6 or 7 days walking
- From €1020
- Without bag transfers: less €180 per booking
- All prices per person, based on 2 sharing a room, except where stated
- Please contact us for single supplement prices
What's included in the price
- 7 nights' accommodation.
- All breakfasts and 6 evening meals.
- Full walking notes and maps.
- Transport of luggage between accommodation, transfers on days 3 and 6, GPS files (if requested)
What's not included in the price
- Travel to St Jean Pied de Port and from Etsaut
- Lunches, evening meal on day, drinks with meals
- Any excursions or entrance fees
- Travel insurance
Payment
- A deposit payment of 30% or at least £250 or 250€ per person must be made to confirm your booking. The balance of payments is due 8 weeks before the holiday date. If the holiday date is less that 8 weeks away at the time of booking, then the full price should be paid.
6 nights in rooms for 2 in hotels, and 1 night in a mountain gite in a dormitory. Half board everyday except on day 1 when it's on a B&B basis.
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam)
- Evening meals in hotels and gites are often local specialities, include a starter, a main course and a dessert.
- Picnic lunches and drinks are not included. Picnic lunches can be ordered from your accommodation the night before.
Pic d'Anie
A small guest house with 5 rooms in a historic property in the pretty village of Lescun, surrounded by mountains
Extra Nights
Extra nights are possible at St Jean Pied de Port at the start of the trip and in Estaut at the end of your walk.
Combining trips
This is part 2 of a long distance trek across the French Pyrenees. It is possible to do the walking stages either side of this part of the trek. Here are the links to parts 1 and 3 of the trek:
- Pyrenees GR10, Part 1: Henday - St Jean Pied de Port
- Pyrenees GR10, part 3: Estaut - Cauterets
- Pyrenees GR10, Part 4: Cauterets - Luchon
- Pyrenees GR10, Part 5: Luchon - Aulus-les-Bains
- Pyrenees GR10, Part 6: Aulus-les-Bains - Merens
Please consult us for a price on any of the above options.
Tailor Made Trips
If you want to learn more about the region's culture through tailor-made activities and visits, check out those trips that include a few days in Occitanie. Contact us to add them to your hike.
Ride the waves of adventure from Paris to La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Biarritz where sophistication meets the laid-back vibes of the 'French California'.