El Recorrido Baztán-Bidasoa

Grand walking tour OF THE FOOTHILLS AND BORDERLANDS OF the BASQUE PYRENEES.

The basic sample route we are currently offering is designed to include the best of the Basque Pyrenean foothills centred on the Baztan-Bidasoa region on both the Spanish and French side of the border. The full 6-day route offers a shorter or longer option on the longer days, with a possible add-on of an extra day at the end to make a 7-day route including an ascent of Mendaur – the region’s highest and most emblematic peak – from Ituren. It is also possible to start the walk in Lesaka and end in Elizondo to make a 5-day walk and/or end in Erratzu to make a 4-day walk, overnighting the 1st night in Etxalar, for those with slightly less time. It is also possible to arrange extra nights’ half board accommodation at any of the villages along the route to allow more time for longer, more relaxed exploration. Click on the following links to go directly to a brief  day-to-day description of the full 6-day route, and also the optional extra day to climb Mendaur:

Day 1: Ola to Lesaka

Day 2: Lesaka to Etxalar

Day 3: Etxalar to Zugarramurdi

Day 4: Zugarramurdi to Urdax

Day 5: Urdax to Erratzu

Day 6: Erratzu to Elizondo

Day 7 (optional): Ituren to Sunbilla

Notes:

* Walking times refer to the actual time walked at moderate pace. As a general rule, it is advisable to add 20% to these times to allow for photo/rest/lunch stops

* Cumulative elevation gain refers to the TOTAL height gain over the course of each day, i.e. the sum of every gain in elevation over each day’s walking.

* Grade of difficulty: shorter options: moderate; full routes: fairly strenuous.

* It is a condition for booking this or any other guided or self-guided walk described on this Basque Country Walks website that participants be covered by a suitable travel insurance policy that includes walking over hilly/mountainous terrain up to 1500 metres that is valid for Spain and the French Pyrenees (in the case of this route), and includes emergency evacuation. Please contact me for further details or recommendations. Participants also need to sign and return a disclaimer form which will be sent at the time of booking.