Sacred Earth Travel - France - GR10: Hendaye to St Jean Pied de Port (1)

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Hiking itinerary Hendaye to St Jean Pied de Port - GR10, first section

The walk from Hendaye to Saint Jean Pied de Port is part of the legendary GR10 trail that traverses the entire Pyrenean mountain chain (258 miles coast to coast). The Pays Basque section makes up around 106 miles of the trail). The first section covers a variety of landscapes typical of the Basque region, in the heart of the Atlantic Pyrenees. The scenery has a charm and regional authenticity that you won't find elsewhere. Rolling hills, magical villages, such as Sare, Ainhoa and Dancharia that are steeped in Basque tradition, and a rich pyrenean flora and fauna are all waiting to be discovered.

Departures
Every day from mid-May to the end of September. Bookings from two people or more.

Trip Summary

Start:
Day 1 at your hotel in Hendaye, according to your time of arrival.

End:
Day 7, in Saint Jean Pied de Port
If you also do the 2nd section of the GR10, spend the night in St Jean Pied de Port, B&B in gite.

How to get there:
By plane: Biarritz-Parme airport
By car: From Bordeaux autoroute
By train: TER in direction Hendaye.

Accommodation
Half-board (except on day 1) in gites and comfortable hotels.

Minimum no of participants: 2

Level of difficulty:
The walks are on good footpaths and trails, the terrain is varied, but often rocky. You need to be used to walking and take regular exercise to enjoy this trip.

Type: Self-guided walking.

Carrying:
You need to carry a small day sack only with a water bottle, camera, picnic and wind jacket. The main luggage will be transported by vehicle between the different accommodations.

Day 1

You will have time to settle into your hotel in Hendaye before heading out for your fist hike. Today's walk will be easy and will give you the opportunity to explore the town or to do a circular walk to the famous néo gothic chateau, the Domaine d'Abbadie.
5km, 3h00, +60m, -60m.

Day 2

Rising rapidly above the Atlantic, this first stage of the walk is pleasant. The landscape, scattered with villages, is peaceful and harmonious with the rolling hillsides.
12km, 4h15, +610m, -293m.

Day 3

From Olhette to Dancharia, along the Rhune massif, the first outlines of the distant mountains can be spotted on the horizon. You pass picturesque villages - Sare and d'Ainhoa are scarcely more than single streets lined with large houses.
16km, 6h45, +535m, -580m.

Day 4

Today the GR10 passes a series of small summits, crossing over the first mountain passes, it winds its way around l'Erebi alt 583m, and then further on l'Axulegi alt 617m, then the col Zuccuta and finally the col des Veaux.
11km, 4h00, +525m, -113m.

Day 5

From the col des Veaux, the GR10 continues to alternate between the Pyrenean summits and mountain villages that have a strong Basque identity. The trail heads in the direction of the Col de Méhatché before descending to Bidarray village.
11km, 3h30, +195m, -615m.

Day 6

Today's walk is challenging and will lead you to Saint Etienne de Baïgorry across some breathtaking scenery.
17km, 6h45, +1230m, -1220m.

Day 7

Ascend to Monhoa summit before arriving in the capital of Basse Navarre. 18km, 6h00, +860m, -865m.

Your holiday comes to an end in Saint Jean Pied de Port, after your walk. Opportunity to visit le bourg, the historical capital of Basse-Navarre.

Price includes

4 nights in gites and 2 night in hotels, 5 evening meals, 6 breakfasts, luggage transfers, the dossier containing your maps, route notes and all necessary details needed for your holiday.

Price does not include

Entrance fees, additional transfers, drinks, evening meal day 1, picnics, additional activities, holiday insurance and travel.

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.