Hiking around Ainhoa

Step straight from Les Hauts d’Ainhoa onto some of the most beautiful walking trails in the French Basque Country.

Ainhoa is an excellent base for exploring the western Pyrenees on foot. Paths climb directly from the village into the surrounding hills, from gentle walks of a few hours to longer mountain routes. The Camino de Santiago passes through Ainhoa on its way towards Spain, while the GR10 offers access to some of the great landscapes of the Pyrenees.

Between wooded paths, open pasture, ridge walks and mountain views, there is something here for almost every kind of walker.

Camino de Santiago

Ainhoa lies on the Camino Baztanés, one of the historic pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. The trail crosses the Basque Country from Bayonne towards Pamplona, passing through Ainhoa before continuing across the Pyrenees into Spain.

Ainhoa, on the Camino de Santiago

For centuries, pilgrims and travellers have passed through Ainhoa on the Camino Baztanés, an ancient route linking Bayonne with Pamplona and the wider network of trails leading to Santiago de Compostela.

The Camino passes through the heart of the village before heading south through the green foothills of the Pyrenees towards the Spanish border. Whitewashed Basque houses, wooded hills, grazing land and old mountain tracks make this one of the quieter and more atmospheric sections of the Camino.

You do not need to be walking all the way to Santiago to experience it. From Ainhoa, sections of this historic route can easily be followed as a day walk, offering a glimpse of the landscapes and paths travelled by pilgrims for generations.

Chapel of Our Lady of the Hawthorn

Climb from Ainhoa to the small chapel of Notre-Dame de l’Aubépine, set high above the village, for one of the loveliest views in the area.

The climb to the Hawthorn Chapel

On the hillside above Ainhoa, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Hawthorn is one of the most rewarding walks you can make directly from the village. The path climbs through the hills towards the calvary and small chapel, built on the site where, according to local tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young shepherd beside a hawthorn bush.

As you climb, the landscape gradually opens up below you. From the heights, there are wonderful views over Ainhoa, the surrounding Basque countryside and the first peaks of the Pyrenees. On a clear day, the view stretches towards the Atlantic coast.

It is a relatively short walk and makes a lovely half-day outing — or simply a beautiful place to climb to later in the day. Combining landscape, local history and panoramic views, it is a wonderful introduction to the countryside around Ainhoa.

Waymarked walks

A network of waymarked trails around Ainhoa makes it easy to explore the hills, forests and countryside of the French Basque Country. Around twenty routes offer walks of varying lengths and difficulty, from relatively easy outings of a few hours to much longer hikes.

These trails are a lovely way to discover the area at your own pace without committing to a long-distance route such as the GR10. Many follow loops through pasture, woodland and open hills before returning towards the village.

For something gentler, the Blue Pottok trail is another enjoyable way to discover the landscape around Ainhoa.

Hiking Beyond Ainhoa

Beyond the trails that begin directly in the village, Ainhoa is ideally placed for exploring some of the best hiking in the French and Spanish Basque Country.

Just a short drive away, Sare and La Rhune offer beautiful routes through forest and open mountain pasture, with far-reaching views across the Pyrenees and, on clear days, towards the Atlantic.

Across the Spanish border, the landscapes of Xareta and the Baztan Valley become wilder still, with green hills, old villages, woodland and historic paths. It is an area where you can easily choose between a relaxed few hours on foot, a full-day hike or something more challenging.

Staying in Ainhoa makes it possible to choose a different landscape every day — on either side of the border — and return to the peace of the village afterwards.

The GR10

The GR10 crosses the French Pyrenees from the Atlantic coast at Hendaye towards the Mediterranean. Its route passes through the Basque Country and Ainhoa, giving walkers access to one of France’s great long-distance trails.

You can also use the GR10 from Ainhoa for a day hike, following mountain paths through pasture and hills with wide views towards the Pyrenees.

Planning your hike

The trails around Ainhoa can be enjoyed for much of the year, but conditions in the hills can change quickly. Even for a relatively short walk, take suitable footwear, water and protection from the sun or rain according to the season.

After heavy rain, some paths can become muddy and slippery. In summer, setting out earlier in the day is often more comfortable. Many routes also cross grazing land, so remember to close gates behind you, give animals plenty of space and follow any signs or local instructions along the way.

Before setting out, it is always worth checking current trail and weather conditions. The local Tourist Office can also recommend routes suited to your experience, the season and the amount of time you have available.

Find walking routes and local information at the Tourist Office →