About the route
You walk along good paths. The terrain varies and the ground is often stony. We therefore recommend that you wear hiking boots with ankle support and walking poles if necessary.
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the week.
You arrive at your first hotel in Hendaye and, depending on when you arrive, you may want to go hiking in the Domaine d'Abbadia region. It's a stunning 65-hectare stretch of land on the coast. Here you will find a varied landscape of marshes, moors and high cliffs. You can also visit the famous Neo-Gothic chateau: Domaine d'Abbadie.
If you have more time, consider walking the coastal path from St. Jean de Luz, where you can enjoy the panoramic views.
Hotel (example): Hotel Bellevue
Hendaye is located at the mouth of the Bidassoa River, which forms the border with Spain. The GR10 route begins on Hendaye beach and you'll soon be high above the Atlantic. The first stage is quite pleasant. Small villages dot the hilly landscape, which is peaceful and harmonious. The atmosphere is glorious in the Basque country, but you see no sign yet of the dramatic mountain scenery you have in store.
Hotel (example): Venta Elizalde
Today you start to see the first mountains on the horizon. You have the option of a short climb to the summit of La Rhune, which at 900 metres is considered the first mountain peak in the Pyrenees. You will pass the small picturesque villages of Sare and Ainhoa, made up of large houses along some roads. The houses - most of which date from the 1600s - have their year of construction and details of their family history written on the gables. You finally reach the village of Dancharia, just three kilometres from the Spanish border.
Hotel (example): Hotel Pikassaria
Today the GR10 passes a series of mountain peaks as you hike over mountain passes along the path that winds around l'Erebi (583m) and on to l'Axulegi (617m). You reach the high col Zuccata mountain pass where, weather permitting, you can take an alternative route to the Col des Veaux or you can choose to hike further on the ridge. The alternative is not part of the GR10, but the views are worth it. The ridge leads you on to Pic Gorospil (691m), where there are also excellent panoramic views.
Hotel (example): Ferme Esteben
The GR10 continues between mountain peaks and small mountain villages with a strong Basque identity. The trail continues towards the Col de Méhatché, located at 716m. You now enter a rocky landscape where you can see vultures circling high above. You descend to the village of Bidarray, where you spend the night in the heart of the Basque Country.
Hotel (example): Gite Aire Zabal
Today's challenging hike goes to Saint Etienne de Baïgorry through a mountainous landscape with large sandstone cliffs along the Cresta d'Iparla ridge and mountain peak (1044m).
Hotel (example): Hotel Juantorena
This is the last stage of the first section of the GR10, which goes to Saint Jean Pied de Port in the heart of the Basque Country. Today's walk is about six hours of challenging hiking with 900 metres of altitude before you arrive in Saint Jean Pied de Port, idyllically situated on the banks of the Nive River. This is a historic entry point to Spain and is, for example, where the Camino Francés starts. We recommend a visit to the old town, which is brimming with history.
The tour is now over and you will leave the last hotel of the tour during the morning.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 4 nights in 2-star hotels (days 1, 3, 5 and 6)
- 1 night in Spanish Inn (equivalent to 2-star hotel)
- 1 night in hostel in private room with shared bath/toilet
- Breakfast every day
- Dinner every day (except Day 1)
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Luggage transfer between accommodations
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from France
- Drinks with meals
- Handling fee (€20)
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons, this tour cannot be booked for solo travellers. There must be min. be two participants.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Biarritz in France are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 5-8 business days)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
From Biarritz airport to Hendaye
It's easy to get from Biarritz airport to Hendaye. It is possible to take the train, which takes about 55 minutes. It is also possible to take a taxi, which takes about 20 minutes. Get an overview of the options here: Rome2Rio
Return from St. Jean Pied de Port to Hendaye
If you need to return to Hendaye after the tour, we can arrange a transfer for you.
On this trip you will stay as follows:
- 5 nights in 2-star hotels (days 1, 3, 5 and 6)
- 1 night in Spanish Inn (equivalent to 2-star hotel)
- 1 night in hostel in private room with shared bath/toilet
On this trip, breakfast and dinner are included throughout the trip. However, on day 1, dinner is not included.
Included meals
Breakfast is the standard "continental breakfast" with tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam etc.
Evening meals consist of 3-course menus with starter, main course and dessert.
Please note that drinks for the evening meals are not included in the price.
Dinner on Day 1
In Hendaye there are many restaurants to choose from.
Lunch
Lunch is not included but can be purchased at the accommodation. It will typically be in the form of a picnic lunch that you take with you on the tour.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 15kg each.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
This trip has a difficulty level of 3-4, which means that most hiking days on the tour are level 3 and a few are level 4.
Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.
Grade 4
Demanding hiking with daily marches of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain at higher altitudes. There can be longer ascents of up to 1,000 meters. Requires good physical condition, endurance, and knees and ankles capable of enduring prolonged descents. You need to be in good health and preferably have hiking experience. Requires good hiking boots and regular outdoor clothing. There can be significant temperature differences.
Read more about our grading system here.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
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