Pyrenean travel agency specializing in your hikes and treks in the Pyrenees, the GR10 and more
BASQUE COUNTRY: Maison IPUTXAINIA, 64220 ASCARAT
ARIEGE: 20 chemin de la montagne, 09000 FOIX
+33 (0)5 34 14 51 50 - +33 (0)6 10 97 16 54
Brochure PDF
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Discovery of the Basque Country by bike
The best of the Basque Country, guided walking
French Bask country
Guided walking
Guided Walking
7 Days
6 Nights
5 Activity Days
From 885,00 €
This accessible hiking tour takes you to the foothills of the Pyrenees, offering an immersive discovery of the Basque Country ! Explore numerous unique villages nestled in lush green valleys, as well as the iconic Rhune Mountain.
This tour is an opportunity to experience an exceptional cultural identity as you walk along coastal cliffs between Hendaye and Spain, and from village to village, across ridges and through forests.
Your guide, a Basque Country specialist, will introduce you to this rich culture through encounters in the many villages you'll pass through.
You'll follow sections of the legendary GR10, the Trans-Pyrenean trail that stretches from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and follow the footsteps of witchcraft in the Basque Country… Mystery awaits !
Your guide will inspire you with the vibrant Basque culture and traditions.
And, of course, the gastronomy will be a highlight: Itxassou black cherries, Espelette pepper, Bayonne ham, sheep's cheese... enough to delight your taste buds!
HIGHLIGHTS :
• Coastal hiking, GR 10 trails, classified villages, mystical forests, and legends of witchcraft…
• Shepherd's meal, lunch in a traditional restaurant.
• Comfortable accommodation in a 3-star hotel with a swimming pool.
• Discovery of the Basque Coast and the inland Basque Country.
• Discovery of the Basque Coast and the inland Basque Country.
• Easy access from Bayonne train station
• Coastal hiking, GR 10 trails, classified villages, mystical forests, and legends of witchcraft…
• Shepherd's meal, lunch in a traditional restaurant.
• Comfortable accommodation in a 3-star hotel with a swimming pool.
• Discovery of the Basque Coast and the inland Basque Country.
• Discovery of the Basque Coast and the inland Basque Country.
• Easy access from Bayonne train station
Dates and Prices
EVERY WEEK, FROM MARCH 29 TO OCTOBER 24, 2026.
Departure guaranteed from 4 participants.
Price per person :
€885 in April, October, and November
€915 in May and June
€940 in September
€970 in July and August
Supplements/Discounts:
- Single Room Supplement (Standard): €195 per person
- Single Room Supplement (Standard) IN JULY/AUGUST: €225 per person
- Extra Night (B&B, Double Room): €54 per person
- Extra Night (B&B, Single Room): €82 per person
- Full-board accommodation from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7
- Transfers during the tour
- Guidance by a certified mountain guide (BE AMM), specialist in the Basque Country - Visit to the Zugarramurdi Cave
- Insurance
- Meals not specified in “Price Includes”
- Transfers not mentioned in the program
- Entrance fees for visits
- Drinks
- Booking fees: €15
Day 1: Start of the Tour in Bayonne
Meet
at 6:00 PM in Itxassou (or at 5:25 PM at Bayonne train
station).
Check into your accommodation, a 3-star hotel with a
swimming pool, where you'll stay for the entire week.
Welcome drink and briefing about the tour.
Day 2: Typical Basque Villages
Explore the villages of
Ainhoa (listed among "The Most Beautiful
Villages of France") and Espelette,
world-renowned for its peppers that decorate the façades of village
houses. This is the perfect introduction to the “Basque
World,” its culture, gastronomy, and lush green
landscapes.
Note: When the group has fewer than 9 participants, the
hike is a loop. For groups of 9 or more, the hike may be linear,
from Ainhoa to Espelette.
Distance: 12 km, duration: 5 hours, ascent: +490 m, descent: -530
m, transfer: 20 minutes
Day 3: A Foray into Spain via the Stunning Coastal Trail
Today, we’re heading to Spain.
Facing the Bay of Txingudi, which separates Hendaye from the
Spanish port of Hondarribia, we’ll reach Cabo
Higuer, the westernmost tip of the Pyrenees! From there,
the trail alternates between cliffside paths and lush green
valleys, offering a perfect blend of the Basque
Country-where ocean meets mountains!
Beach stop in Hondarribia at the end of the hike
!!
Distance: 12 km, duration: 5 hours, ascent: +390 m, descent: -580
m, transfer: 1 hour
Day 4: Ascent of “Larrun,” an Iconic Peak of the Basque Country
La Rhune (or Larrun
in Basque), rising to 900 m, overlooks the Basque coast and the
mountains of both the French and Spanish Basque Country. The
exceptional panoramic views are well worth the
effort! This mountain also reflects the Basque people’s strong
connection to traditional practices like livestock farming. Bonus:
Our route avoids the crowds, allowing us to fully appreciate the
beauty of this massif.
Note: For those who prefer not to hike, there’s an
option to take the scenic train to the summit. Advance booking is
recommended at the start of the tour!
Distance: 11 km, duration: 5h30, ascent: +680 m, descent -820 m,
transfer: 30 minutes
Day 5: The GR10 and the Penas de Itsusi
The
Basque Country is closely linked to the GR10,
which begins on the beach of Hendaye. Around
Itxassou, the trail follows the ridge known as the "border crest,"
marking the boundary between France and Spain. It then approaches
the Penas de Itsusi, a favored refuge for
vultures, giving us plenty of opportunities to observe these
majestic birds.
To top it off, we’ll enjoy a traditional farm lunch at
Marie-Pierre’s-a typical Basque shepherd’s meal that will
warm our hearts !!
Distance: 16 km, duration: 5h30, elevation gain: +580 m, elevation
loss: -580 m, transfer: 20 minutes
Day 6 : In Xareta, Following the Footsteps of Smugglers… and Witches !
Not
far from Sare and the border with Navarre, we enter the magnificent
border beech forest. People have long “worked by night” here !
This territory also witnessed a tragic chapter in history: a witch
hunt ordered by King Henry IV, with the Zugarramurdi cave-which you
will visit today-being a highly symbolic site.
• Distance : 9 km, Duration : 5 hours, Elevation gain :
+360 m, Elevation loss: -360 m, Transfer : 30 min
Day 7 : End of Your Stay
The stay concludes after breakfast. For those who arrived by train : transfer to Bayonne train station, arriving on site at 9 :30 AM.
The programs have been prepared based on the latest information available at the time of writing; unforeseen events may occur, and situations beyond our control may alter the schedule. On site, our guides are the best judges and may modify the itinerary according to the weather or if the safety of the group requires it.
Welcome
On Day 1 at 6:00 PM at your accommodation in Itxassou (64 – Pyrénées-Atlantiques): Hotel Txistulari.
If you arrive early in Bayonne :
1/ Luggage Storage : Hôtel Côte Basque, located opposite Bayonne train station, offers luggage storage (€10 per bag, 2024 rate subject to change).
Address : Hôtel Côte Basque, 2 rue Maubec, 64100 Bayonne. Phone : +33 5 59 55 10 21.
Dispersion
On Day 7, around 9:30 AM, after breakfast.
For participants who arrived by train, a transfer to Bayonne train station is provided, with an arrival time of 9:30 AM.
Transfer to Bayonne station (arrival at 9:30 a.m.) for those arriving by train.
Level
Terrain Type
Fairly easy hikes on good trails, with varied terrain, but often rocky.
Level 2
These tours are designed for those seeking an active vacation. A reasonable level of physical fitness is required. Expect to walk for 4 to 5 hours per day. Uphill speed: +300 m per hour.
* Please note that walking times are average estimates, accounting only for actual walking time and excluding rest breaks.
Accommodation
6 nights in a 3-star hotel with a swimming pool, in a double room.
www.txistulari.fr
The TXISTULARI Hotel Restaurant has been our trusted partner for several years. It is a family-run hotel where Jean-Jacques and his son Michel prepare delicious Basque specialties, along with some dishes inspired by fresh, local products. Anne-Marie’s warm hospitality will also delight you.
Single rooms are available upon request, with an additional fee and depending on availability. Private parking is available for those traveling with their own vehicle.
OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
On certain dates, depending on the size and distribution of the group and the type of rooms, we may work with the Gure Gostuan guesthouse, a very charming and comfortable guesthouse located 200 meters from the Txistulari Hotel. If this is the case, you will be informed before your registration is confirmed, so that you can make the decision.
For those staying at Gure Gostuan: breakfasts will be served on-site, but dinners will be shared with the group at the Txistulari Hotel. You will also have access to the Txistulari Hotel’s swimming pool, as the Gure Gostuan House does not have one.
Here is the link to the Gure Gostuan guesthouse website if you’d like to take a look before agreeing to stay there: www.gites64.com/Chambre-d-hotes-Itxassou-Ithurry-borgeais-Coeur-Pays-Basque-64G441006.html
Meals
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam)
- Dinner often includes Basque specialties, with a starter, main course, and dessert
- Picnic lunches included
- Drinks not included
Luggage porterage
Only personal items for the day and your picnic need to be carried.
Group
Group of 4 to 15 people.
Supervision
The hike is led by a certified mountain guide (BE Accompagnateur Montagne), specialist in the Basque Country.
To discover
About stays
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