Pyrenees GR10 Stage 1 Trek: Hendaye to Saint Jean Pied-de-Port

Hendaye plage

Saint Jean Pied de Port

Ainhoa

Hendaye plage

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Pyrenees GR10 Stage 1 Trek

Join a classic European long-distance walking route
Beautiful scenery & picturesque villages
Trek the foothills of the Pyrenees

Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure

Outstanding fully-qualified guides
Authentic hotels and gites
Full luggage support

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 1 Trek: Dates and Prices

AT A GLANCE

7 nights

6 days' trekking

Luggage delivery

Group size 4-10

Join: Hendaye

End: St Jean Pied-de-Port

Nearest airport: Biarritz

ACCOMMODATION

7 nights in hotels

DIFFICULTY GRADING

7

Moderate

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TRIP NOTES

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 1 Trek: Overview

The GR10 is one of the classic long distance walking paths in Europe. GR stands for Grande Randonnée, translating to 'big walk' in French. The route stretches from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, covers a total of 866km (538 miles), and if done in its entirety, the trek would take around 2 months. We have split the whole route into 8 one week sections, so you can link the trips together and join us for as many weeks as you like, or can dip in and out over the course of several years.

This first section from Hendaye to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is set in the Basque country, in the heart of the Atlantic Pyrenees. The trip begins with rolling hills and fantastic sea views as you enter the foothills of the Pyrenees. The middle section of the trip is punctuated with the beautiful picturesque villages of Ascain, Sare and Bidarray, and then the terrain becomes more mountainous towards Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

What to expect

The days are varied, ranging from shorter days of 4 hours to longer days of up to 8 hours, covering 11km-22km, and with ascents from 300m-1260m. We have luggage access throughout the week, so we will only need to carry day packs, and we will stay in traditional local hotels and gites.

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 1 Trek: Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Hendaye

The group will meet at our hotel in Hendaye. The guide will give an informal briefing about the days to come, and will answer any questions you may have about the week ahead.

Accommodation: Hotel (no dinner included)

Luggage access

Day 2 - Trek from Hendaye to Ascain

We begin our trip in true style by dipping a toe in the sea at Hendaye Plage, the start of the GR10. It's not long before we pass through the pretty village of Biriatou, as we rise rapidly above the Atlantic. We cross several cols today: the Col d'Osin, the Col des Poiriers, the Ibardin and the Grand Escarga - sounds quite a lot for a first day, but they are all quite rolling! Our final descent takes us towards the village of Ascain. Depending on availability of accommodation we may need to take a transfer to our hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6.5 hours

Distance: 20km

Altitude gain / loss: +1000m / -920m

Day 3 - Trek from Ascain to Ainhoa

Today we will pass through the beautiful villages of Sare and Ainhoa. Both villages are noted as "plus beaux villages de France", and we'll see a lot of traditional Basque houses dating back to the 17th century.

Accommodation : Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6.5 hours

Distance: 21.5km

Altitude gain / loss: +636m / -596m

Day 4 - Trek from Ainhoa to the Col des Veaux

Although we have a shorter day today, it is almost entirely uphill! We have a fantastic climb as we wind our way around Mount Errebí (583m), and then further past the Col des Trois Croix to Soporro at 617m. We finally join the spectacular Gorospil ridge, and if the weather is good we can divert from the GR10 and take the ridge walk to the summit. In bad weather we'll stay on the GR10 to reach the Col des Veaux.

Accommodation: Gite d'Etape (dormitory), dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 4 hours

Distance: 11km

Altitude gain / loss: +700m / -240m

Day 5 - Trek from the Col des Veaux to Bidarray

We pass underneath the Pic Iguzki to reach the Col de Mehatse at 716m. We have a series of cols (the Artztey and the Espalza), before we begin our steep descent to Bidarray. We'll pass the Harpeko Saindua cave on the way down, whose limestone walls are said to have healing properties.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 4 hours

Distance: 11km

Altitude gain / loss: +300m / -720m

Day 6 - Trek from Bidarray to Saint Etienne de Baïgorry

Here our mountain days truly begin, as we ascend to the superb red sandstone ridge, the Cresta d'Iparla, to reach its peak at 1049m. The view is exceptional, stretching from the Atlantic over 100km to your west, to the Pic d'Anie in the southeast.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 8 hours

Distance: 16km

Altitude gain / loss: +1260m / -1248m

Day 7 - Trek from Saint Etienne de Baïgorry to Saint-Jean-Pied-dePort

Today's climb takes us up to the Col d'Urdanzia at 872m, followed by the Munhoa peak at 1023m, with a panoramic view of Basse-Navarre down below. We descend through green pastures to the pretty town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, which is also the starting point for the Camino Francès, the most popular version of the Camino de Santiago.

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6.5 hours

Distance: 20km

Altitude gain / loss: +859m / -864m