More about the route
This walking tour requires a good basic fitness and preferably experience of hiking in mountainous areas. The route is marked all the way and follows good paths. The terrain is varied and the ground is often rocky. Note that there are two particularly challenging stages on this walk with +1200 / -1400 metres of altitude.
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the week.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is the capital of the Basque Country. It is spread over the hills at the foot of the Roncevaux Pass, which leads into Spain. After checking into your hotel, you can choose to walk around the area and discover the many delights of this beautiful region.
Hotel (example): Hotel Central
The GR10 route cuts about 170km through the Basque Country and winds through small villages on the French side of the Pyrenees. The route heads east from St Jean towards the nearby hills. You'll follow the route deep into the valley, past small isolated farmsteads, glistening mountain rivers and verdant hillsides. You can just make out the higher mountains of the Pyrenees to the east. You're truly in the countryside in this region of the Basque Country, where Basque culture is omnipresent.
As you pass villages such as Caro and Estérençuby, you can really enjoy the special atmosphere of the region. If you have chosen the "comfort version" of this route, you will stop in Estérençuby and stay overnight in a hotel here. If not, continue to Phagalcette, where you will stay in a hostel.
Hotel (example): Hotel Andreinia
Today you have a challenging route ahead of you. The GR10 passes through beautiful countryside along ridges with views of gorges and beech trees. Many different bird species live here, such as buzzards, black and red kites, cranes and storks. Flocks of horses, cows and sheep graze on the hillsides. The GR10 climbs the plateau at Occabé, after which you arrive at the large forest.
If you've taken the comfort version of the walk, you'll be driven from Estérençuby to Phagalcette at the start of the day's hike.
Hotel (example): Chalets Iraty
You start your hike from Iraty and today the route is mostly downhill. Along the way you'll pass high mountain passes and ridges with beautiful views over dense forests. You hike along the Ugatze ridge (1170moh) and finally reach Logibar.
In case of bad weather, you take an alternative route via the village of Larrau (this route can be taken regardless of the weather, of course).
Hotel (example): Auberge Logibar
From Logibar, the GR10 crosses the Hozarté Gorge with its famous footbridge. The GR10 continues towards the Ardakhotchia plateau, after which you arrive at 'Cayolar de Saratzé' (1,205moh). A 'Cayolar' is a traditional shepherd's hut. You arrive in the village of Senta through the Barétous valley, which is part of the second region of the tour: Béarn.
Hotel (example):Gite Burguburru
The day begins with a short transfer from Senta to La Pierre-Saint-Martin (although it is also possible to walk the distance, which requires an overnight stay in La Pierre-Saint-Martin).
The GR10 continues to Arres de Camplong and up the L'Anie massif. From here you have a superb view over the Pas d'Azuns mountains towards the Pic d'Anie (2504moh) - one of the first really big mountains in the Pyrenees. The route continues into the famous 'Glacier Cirque' at Lescun. The views are excellent and you can see the summit of Camplong, le Pic Billare and the Sanchése plateau.
Hotel (example): Maison de la Montagne
This is the last walking day on section two of the GR10 between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Etsaut. The route leaves the 'amphitheatre' at Lescun and continues through a series of small, pleasant villages. After passing the Plateau de Lhers and the Col de Barancq, you'll head to Etsaut in the famous Aspe Valley. This is the very gateway into the Pyrenees National Park.
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
- 6 nights in hostels in dormitories (can be upgraded to comfort version - see under "accommodation" below)
- Breakfast every day
- Dinner every day (except Day 1)
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Luggage transfer between accommodations
- Transfers as described in the programme
- 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)
- Optional Accommodation upgrade (see more below)
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 St. Jean Pied de Port
It is easy to get from Biarritz airport to St. Jean Pied de Port. It is possible to take the train and bus, which take about 2½ hours. It is also possible to take a taxi, which takes about 50 minutes. Get an overview of the options here: Rome2Rio
Return from Etsaut to St. Jean Pied de Port
If you need to return to St. Jean Pied de Port after the tour, we can arrange a transfer for you.
Return from Etsaut to Biarritz Airport
Here's how to get from Etsaut all the way to Biarritz airport: Rome2Rio
On this trip you will stay 7 nights in hostels in dormitories. If you wish to upgrade to the Comfort version of the tour, you will stay as follows:
COMFORT
- 1 night in a 3-star hotel (day 1 and 7)
- 1 night in a 2-star hotel (day 2)
- 1 night in guesthouse in private room (day 6)
- 1 night in chalet in private room (day 3)
- 1 night in private dormitory (day 4)
- 1 night in dormitory (day 5)
Note: Sleeping in dormitory is required on both versions of the tour and therefore it is necessary to bring a sheet / sleeping bag on the tour. You will be provided with blankets at all accommodations, so sheet bag will be sufficient.
On this trip, breakfast and dinner are included throughout the trip. However, on day 1, only breakfast is 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 St. Jean Pied de Port 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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