Hiking 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.

A pedestrian path of ecological discovery makes it possible to discover (with or without a guide) a wetland, rich in a fauna and a flora specific to the banks of the Germaine, which abounds in the pond of Grolejac. This path is located in the regional nature reserve of the Marais de Groléjac, on a surface of 15 ha. Upstream of the pond, the Reserve presents a remarkable biological heritage, with plant and animal species. In any season, the ballet of the birds is fascinating. In summer, the lake is reserved for swimming but it is possible to rent a boat.

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".

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!

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.

The Lakhoura peak rises imposingly from the horizon, offering a breathtaking spectacle of nature in all its splendor. Located on the border between France and Spain, the Lakhoura peak dominates valleys including the Belagua valley, the Saint-Engrâce valley and the Arres d'Any limestone massif, with peaks such as the Pic d'Arlas, Table des 3 rois, Ansabère and Sierra de Alano. This walk follows the border ridge between Pierre-Saint-Martin and Pic d'Orhy, crossing the gateway to Béarn and Haute-Soule.

Departing from Artouste, you have access to a variety of organized activities, supervised by professionals, that can take place on a half-day or full-day basis. Among these options, you can choose from hikes ranging from one day to several, with the possibility of spending the night in cabins or tents. Also available is the Grand Tour du Lac excursion, which lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and starts and finishes behind the Maison de Fabrèges. For further information, please contact the tourist office.

Discover Lac d'Artouste and its walks from the train station at the foot of the dam. A 30-minute walk (easy) will take you to the lake. On site, a variety of activities are available for all ages and tastes. Walkers will enjoy the scenery, anglers will have the opportunity to discover Arctic char and fario trout, while children can take part in a treasure hunt with a questionnaire on the fauna, flora and history of the train, complete with information panels. As a bonus, budding explorers will receive a diploma and a gift.

Explore the flora and fauna of the region, with the chance to spot marmots, isards, bearded vultures, the griffon vulture, the largest bird of prey in the Pyrenees, or the Egyptian vulture, the oldest vulture in the world. You can also discover edelweiss and rhododendrons along the paths.

Laëtitia, a seasoned sportswoman with a passion for outdoor activities, offers you the discovery of her favorite playground, the Pyrenean foothills of the Basque Country, on foot, on trail, on horseback and along the coast, with surfboard or paddle. With a training and a diploma of sports educator, she will share her passion with you by proposing outings in small groups on her favorite themes such as the history, the local fauna, the flora, the rocks or the gastronomy and its producers without forgetting the beaches from San Sebastián to the Adour.

In the heart of the forest of Marensin, tour of Moulin de Bianou is a pleasant walk of seven kilometres. Allow two hours walk, or 45 minutes by bike. At the beginning of the village hall Linxe, tour alternates bare meadows and pine forests, along the river Bianou. It allows you to observe the airials and large estate of the town, described as "castles", typical of the Region.

Price: free.

Distance: 7 km away.

Problem: easy.

This inner loop 6 km tour is easy to make family. It combines the two highlights of the city: the presence of Adour and the architectural heritage of this ancient wall. You will go along the banks of the river before taking the path of the ramparts, buildings dating from the 12th century. This walk can be made by bike, in just 25 minutes.

Price: free.

Duration: 1:40.

Problem: easy.