Hiking New Aquitaine

Discover the Basque Country and its mountains in the company of a private guide, with a program adapted to your physical condition? Zeharka, short for "to cross" in Basque, is the company name of Bixente, mountain guide and sports educator. We offer a wide range of hikes: discovery, gourmet, nocturnal, sporting, bivouac, orienteering, but also trail riding, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing, snowshoeing (in winter) or an introduction to the 3 Basque pelotes: bare hand, chistera, paleta. The choice is yours, and you can set off in complete confidence.

An ecological discovery trail lets you discover (with or without a guide) a wetland area rich in flora and fauna specific to the banks of the Germaine. The trail is located in the Marais de Groléjac regional nature reserve. Upstream of the lake, the reserve boasts a remarkable biological heritage. In any season, the ballet of birds is fascinating. In summer, the lake is reserved for swimming, but it is possible to hire a boat.

On the road, valley of the Sédelle, mills, lavoir, confluence, site Claude-Monet, caves pierced in the rock, steep cliffs, dry moorland. On arrival, view of the ruins of the feudal castle of Crozant.

A wonderful walk from Larrau along the GR on one of the most spectacular and most frequented sites of the Western Pyrenees. The torrents have dug the ground, forming spectacular and long crevasses, the witness, these gorges of Holzarte! Following the marked path along the edge of the crevasse, we arrive at the junction of the Olhado and Olhadybia crevasses, at an altitude of 590 meters. There, the highlight of the walk begins as you approach the footbridge, a real suspension bridge over a bubbling torrent 160 meters below!

The trail starts from the Sansanet picnic area, 2 km upstream from the forges d'Abel. The trail rises through pastures to the border, offering magnificent views of the Peyranère plateau and the Val d'Aspe massifs. Once at the border, the route follows the herd track to the 30-hectare Lac d'Estaens, with its legend of shepherds and a black ram haunting the area. Today, the lake supplies the Espélunguère hydroelectric power station.

The former domain is now public property, classified as a Sensitive Natural Area. It overlooks the city to the south. A path of 2.5 km length for 30 min to 1 hour of walking, marked out through wood leads the visitor to the top of the hill : view on Itxassou and the Basque Pyrenees. Picnic area. An easy and family outing which, despite its low altitude, allows you to enjoy a panoramic view. Stop at the educational building "Elondare".

See the details in "Walks, Stroll".

Between Haute-Soule and Basse-Navarre, in the heart of the Iraty forest, this pass rises to an altitude of 1,283 m. One of the 3 main sites in Europe, it is "inhabited" by birdwatchers, whether migration specialists or simple amateur enthusiasts, who you'll find on your way from July 15 to November 15. Black kites, Montagu harriers, birds of prey, cranes... fly over the Basque mountains and don't go unnoticed! Sunrises and sunsets in this mosaic of landscapes.

From the beach of Erretegia to Bidart, the Coastal Trail winds along the Atlantic coast to the village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. 13 km long, it takes 3:30 a. m. to complete the entire path, but it can be segmented at any time. For example, you can enjoy a round trip to Guétary port in 1:30 a. m. You will then have a beautiful view of the coastline, between beaches and cliffs. From Bidart, don't miss the Sainte-Madeleine Chapel and its pleasant panorama.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1:30.

Difficulty: easy.

Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are available to you from Bidarray. The great mountain bike crossing from Bidarray to Sare, where you will discover white and red houses, frontons and its pelota players... A difference in altitude of 1 270 m, for experienced mountain bikers... The hike that leads you to the picturesque abandoned village of Arizakun, wedged between impressive cliffs... The ascent of the Harriondo massif which allows you to overlook the valleys of the Baztan and the Nives. Difference in altitude: 550 m. And the magnificent hike to Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry.

Discover your heritage on foot! On this easy hike, you'll learn how Iraty's forest resources were used to make masts, oars for fishermen, furniture and charcoal. You'll notice the diversity of the flora and fauna... Many of the activities along the interpretive trail still "vibrate" in the heart of Iraty; a true museum open to all!

Dream Pony welcomes you to the heart of the Ile d'Oléron to discover the farm's animals and ponies (around twenty of them). On the program: horse riding from a few hours to several days, pony christenings with Sushi, Arnaga or Ugo (from age 2), rides (for all levels), pony lessons and courses for children. A visit to the farm and fun workshops are also on offer, so you can spend an enjoyable afternoon with these adorable little ponies!

The Asinerie de la Petite Creuse is an organic farm covering 40 hectares of meadows, crops and woodland. The herd of donkeys is raised in the open air, grazing on natural meadows and receiving regular mineral supplements. The Asinerie offers donkey trekking, as well as a natural archery course. The wooded areas surrounding the farm provide resting places for the herd and shady paths for hikers.

This is a unique site, home to remarkable biodiversity. Set in the heart of a hunting reserve and consisting of three vast marsh water bodies, this renovated former farmhouse provides an opportunity to discover the gentle marsh. Its many objectives include preserving wetlands, maintaining biodiversity and controlling invasive species. Two types of visit are offered: you can stroll freely along the trail, borrowing binoculars to observe the fauna, or enjoy a guided tour by reservation.

Agence les Corsaires organizes exciting geological hikes led by Pierrick d'Alleman, an FFFM-certified geologist with a passion for rocks and ancient history, who takes even the most daring hikers on a journey into a world that reveals the existence and secrets of a 65-million-year-old ocean of rocks beneath our feet. On the program: the cliffs of Bidart, Biarritz, the Hendaye coastline, La Rhune, Mondarrain, Artza Mendi and the fossils of Urculu.

I love this hike, which can be completed in half a day. When you leave the village of Bonloc in the direction of Saint-Esteben, keep an eye on the kilometre marker: at the Saint-Esteben milestone (3.5 km), take a small road to the right. And you can stop the vehicle as the road becomes a path: after crossing a stream called Garraldako Erreka, the world is yours! This ascent takes around 2 hours and is accessible to all.

The ascent to the estives is a major event for the valley, and the signposted route is only the lower part of the transhumance from Arette to La Mouline. This route juggles between the cluses and the departmental road. From Arette, follow the right bank of the Vert and climb towards the Cazaurang farm, near the Hourat bridge, to reach the defile between the Sudou peak and the Soom de Liorry. The scenery is grandiose and surprising.