France - Basque Country- Hiking on GR8 from Bayonne to St Jean de Luz
France - Basque Country- Hiking on GR8 from Bayonne to St Jean de Luz
This self-guided walking tour in the Basque Country takes you from the Adour River up to the Basque mountain and finally to the coastline.
The GR8 is perfectly waymarked and opens the doors of an authentic region proud of its century-old traditions. Bayonne, Cambo les Bains, Sare, Espelette, Saint Jean de Luz, renowned places in a green environment and typical red and green shutter farms and cottages. The last stage winds its way on the mythical GR10 to reach Saint Jean de Luz.
Day 1
BAYONNE
Arrive at the end of the afternoon in Bayonne, a lively city with a strong identity, crossed by the Adour River and the Nive River. Have dinner in one of the restaurants along the Nive River in front of the traditional colored façades.
Day 2
BAYONNE - MOUGUERRE - CAMBO LES BAINS - 20 km - 5h10 of walking
Taxi transfer from your hotel in Bayonne to Mouguerre.
The footpath winds its way through a green lush vegetation, goes downhill under the woods, over brooklets, from farm to forest track to finally reach the charming spa station of Cambo les Bains.Dinner and night in the village.
Day 3
CAMBO LES BAINS - AINHOA 18 km - 4h45 of walking
This stage enters the area of the famous villages of the inland Basque Country : Espelette and its red chili, Itxassou and Ainhoa classified among the most beautiful villages of France. Dinner and night in a charming Guest House in front of the “fronton”.
Day 4
AINHOA - SARE 15 km - 3h45 of walking
From Ainhoa you will take a path going up to the ridge path with views over the distant ocean. The way leads to Saint Ignace and then goes down to Sare and its remarkable Church. Dinner and night in Sare.
Day 5
SARE - ST JEAN DE LUZ - 12 km - 3h00 of walking
From Sare the GR8 changes into the mythical GR10 up to Saint Jean de Luz. You will walk from the mountain to the ocean. You will climb the slopes of the highest peak called the Rhune and then take a forest track to go down to Ascain and then Saint Jean de Luz the colorful fishermen port, a city with numerous historic places and particularly the Church where the King Louis 14 got married in the 17th century.
Day 6
ST JEAN DE LUZ
End of the walk after breakfast.
The walk can be continued southwards to Hendaia and the Spanish border.
1 additional day in Saint Jean de Luz can be added to walk along the coast to Guethary.
Included : (see details in Dates and Prices section)
2 and 3 star hotels and guest houses- Half Board
Luggage transfer
An English road book and a map.
English speaking email or phone assistance
Starts in : Bayonne (tgv from Paris)
Ends in : Saint Jean de Luz (tgv to Paris)
Access : train station.
Information : click on "ask for more information"
Phone Cecile : +33 5 58 48 71 65
Customize your tour : add or remove one night or more,combine with another tour
See also :
Bike tour in the Basque Country
Walking along the Basque Coastline
MORE PHOTOS IN OUR BLOG : CLICK HERE
Highlights
Basque country overview
From inland to the coast
Beautiful attractive villages