The Baztan Trail
A pilgrimage through Basque lands
Before you set off:
Type of route
Hiking
105 kilometres
of adventure
3000m D+
ever higher
7 days / stages
of happiness
Difficulty
Accessible
Season
From May to September
General presentation
The Baztan Trail offers an exceptional hike from Bayonne to Pamplona. Discover the soul of the French Basque Country and Navarre on a journey weaving together history, landscapes and authentic flavours. From the medieval streets of Bayonne to Pamplona, through the lush Baztan valleys, every stage brings something new. You walk between forests, meadows and charming Basque villages, with stirring panoramas of the Navarrese Pyrenees at every turn.
Stage descriptions:
Freedom first: this route can be tailored to your wishes, with the option of selecting specific stages.
Day by day
Day one
This first day precedes the hike proper and is given over to Biarritz and Bayonne.
Day two
The first hiking stage takes you from Bayonne to Ustaritz. You follow the peaceful course of the Nive past Basque farmsteads, orchards and vineyards.
Day three
Between hills and forests, this second stage introduces you to magnificent Basque villages — Ainhoa being a prime example. Meadow after meadow unfolds until Urdax, a picturesque Pyrenean enclave famed for its caves and its monastery.
Day four
This third stage takes you from Urdax to Elizondo. From the bucolic Urdax valley, the trail climbs through beech woods and bracken. You enjoy sweeping views over the Navarrese valleys before the day ends in the charming village of Elizondo, capital of the Baztan, where the stately architecture and the quiet of the Bidasoa river welcome you in an atmosphere of genuine tranquillity.
Day five
This fourth day of walking is a gentle climb to the village of Berroeta, between lush meadows and traditional farmsteads. Outstanding views over the Baztan valley accompany you all the way.
Day six
On this fifth day of walking, you follow exceptional panoramic trails. Shaded forests, meadows and bracken-clad hillsides keep you company until Lantz. Along the way, you cross the Col de Belate (847 m), stumble upon the remains of a monastery and drink in the views over the Navarrese Pyrenees.
Day seven
The sixth and final day on the trails. From Lantz, the path winds between gentle hills and open valleys. Meadows give way to oak woods, then to the outskirts of Pamplona and its magnificent historic centre. You’ve made it — hats off!
Points of interest
1
Les Halles Mercado de Biarritz
Information
A historic and lively market in the heart of Biarritz, where local gastronomy, fresh produce and authentic atmosphere blend with everyday life and Basque charm.
2
Cathédrale Sainte-Marie (Bayonne)
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The Gothic cathedral of Bayonne, Sainte-Marie, stands out for its impressive stained-glass windows, its historic cloister and its majestic architecture, a religious and cultural symbol of the historic centre.
3
Central Market of Bayonne
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An iconic market in Bayonne, ideal for tasting Bayonne ham, Basque cake, artisan cheeses and regional wines in an authentic and gourmet atmosphere.
4
Maison Dagourette, the ethnographic museum dedicated to the Basque Country.
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An essential Basque museum in Bayonne, located in the Maison Dagourette. It traces the history, traditions and culture of the Basque Country through a rich ethnographic collection.
5
Monastery of Urdax and Museum of San Salvador
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The historic monastery of Urdax, together with the museum of San Salvador, reveals monastic life, sacred art and the spiritual history of this Navarrese site.
6
Natural caves of Ikaburu
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Natural caves of Ikaburu in Urdax
Shaped by the Urtxuma river, these caves reveal impressive galleries and stalactites along an underground trail steeped in mystery and natural beauty.
7
Amaiur Mill: Lunch and Talo workshop
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A gastronomic experience at the Amaiur mill, including a lunch and a talo-making workshop, to learn how to prepare this traditional speciality in a historic and rural setting.
8
Museum and Monolith of the Castle and Mill
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The museum and monolith of Amaiur commemorate the historic castle and mill, retracing local history, battles and the cultural heritage of the valley.
9
Chocolaterie Malkorra
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Specialising in artisan chocolate, this house offers tastings of products combining tradition and creativity. An ideal stop for lovers of cocoa and local flavours.
10
Cathédrale Santa María la Real
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The Gothic cathedral of Pamplona, Santa María la Real, stands out for its imposing façade, its cloister and its rich religious history, nestled in the heart of the old town.
By plane
Biarritz (BIQ) – ideal for starting in Bayonne.
Bilbao (BIO) – the option offering the most connections.
Pamplona (PNA) – convenient for the return.
Logistically very straightforward: fly into Biarritz outbound + return from Pamplona.
By train
Bayonne: Direct TGV from Paris.
Hendaye–Irun connection: the rail link between France and Spain.
Pamplona: direct services to Madrid and Zaragoza.
By car
Atlantic corridor: A63 / AP-8 motorways.
Direct Bayonne–Pamplona access: via the mountain road (Baztan Valley).
Bayonne
Fêtes de Bayonne (July–August): One of the largest festivals in France; five days of music, traditional dances, parades, fireworks and an incredible festive atmosphere in the streets.
Feast of the Virgin of Carmen: 16 July.
Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian: 26 September.
Espelette
Pepper Festival (last weekend of October): A popular celebration in honour of the famous Espelette pepper (PDO), featuring a large producers’ market, brotherhood parades and musical entertainment.
Village festivities (early August): Three days of celebration with traditional entertainment, dances, communal meals and street music.
Ainhoa
Patron saint festivities (14–15 August): Mass, bare-hand pelota, mutxiko (Basque leaps) on the fronton, dances and evening concerts.
Artisan and producers’ market (19 October): A local fair showcasing regional produce and artisan crafts.
Guided walks “Gourmet Twilight” (23 September): A walk with tasting at the Chapelle de l’Aubépine.
Urdax / Urdazubi
Whitsun Festival (June): Free activities, cider and pintxos tasting, music and Basque strength games (rural sports).
Ikaburu Caves Day (July): Celebration with special guided tours, legends and entertainment.
Xareta Day (first Saturday of August): Community meals and festive events in Urdax.
Witch Day (Saturday before Midsummer, 24 June): Fair in Zugarramurdi (neighbouring village) with activities at the museum and in the caves.
Elizondo (Vallée du Baztán)
Saint James Patron Festivities (24–26 July): Processions, traditional dances ( Mutildantza ), rural fair, music, gastronomic events and a parade of giants. This is a highly important local celebration.
Baztandarren Biltzarra (mid-July): Grand brotherhood festival with a parade of traditional floats representing the 15 villages of the valley.
Autumn / Spring Fair (October): Food market, cultural and craft activities.
National Pyrenean Livestock Auction-Competition: Annual event dedicated to livestock farming, with culinary days and a pintxos route featuring Navarrese veal.
Youth Chupinazo: Festive launch of the local festivities with the opening speech read on the square.
Lantz
Carnaval de Lantz (du dimanche au mardi avant le Mercredi des Cendres) : L’une des célébrations populaires les plus emblématiques de Navarre. Elle met en scène des personnages mythiques (Miel Otxin, Ziripot, Zaldiko, Arotzak et Txatxos), avec des défilés, le bûcher de Miel Otxin et la danse du zortziko .
Pampelune / Iruña
San Fermín (6–14 July): The most famous festivities in Navarre and among the best-known in the world. On the programme: the encierro (running of the bulls), music, processions, a parade of giants and big-heads ( Gigantes y Cabezudos ), and an electrifying atmosphere throughout the city.
Holy Week (March/April): Traditional processions, notably the Holy Burial procession, of great solemnity.
San Saturnino (29 November): Patron saint of Pamplona. Musical wake-up calls ( dianas ), civic-religious procession, parades and festive events.
San Blas (3 February): Blessing of the roscos (traditional ring cakes) at the church of San Nicolás.
Pampelune / Iruña
Feria del Toro (coincides with San Fermín): An international benchmark in bullfighting.
Festival Flamenco On Fire (August): Concerts and shows on open-air stages and in theatres.
Cazuelica and Wine Week (4–13 October): Gastronomic trail through the bars of the old quarter (Casco Viejo) offering cazuelicas (mini casseroles of slow-cooked dishes) paired with Navarrese wines.
Pincho Week (15–24 March): High gastronomy competition in miniature format in the city’s bars.
Christmas: Craft markets, nativity scenes and the Three Kings Parade (5 January).
Apart from the main cities on this route, the other destinations remain little known. The busiest period is June, July, August and September, mainly in Bayonne and Pamplona. In the other areas, you will not encounter excessive crowds of tourists, even at the height of the season.
Travel better, all year round
Travelling better means choosing tourism that is more respectful of the land and the people who bring it to life. Through these routes, the project invites you to slow down, to immerse yourself in the landscapes, to meet the locals and to value traditional know-how, while adopting responsible and sustainable practices.
Meeting points with North-South getaways
The Cultural Crossing
Information
Stage 3: IPARRALDE: Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Urdax
Stage 4: BAZTÁN VALLEY: Urdax – Pamplona
Stage 5: PAMPLONA Stage 6: Roncesvalles: Pamplona – Roncesvalles
Stage 7: SALAZAR VALLEY: Roncesvalles – Ochagavía
Stage 8: RONCAL VALLEY: Ochagavía – Irati – Isaba
Stage 9: BELAGUA: Isaba – Oloron-Sainte-Marie
The Flavour Trail
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Day 4: Camping Asolaze in the Roncal Valley.
Days 5 and 6: Camping Ezcaba five minutes from Pamplona.
Day 7: Camping Baztan in the Baztan Valley.
Day 8: Camping Pyrénées Nature.
The Pyrenees,
High Summits Edition
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Hendaye – Perpignan – Week 1
- Pamplona
- Abodi
- Jaca
- Lumbier
