The Pyrenean Haute Route - A Trekker's Guidebook

The Pyrenean Haute Route (HRP) is one of Europe’s most beautiful and challenging walks. Taking the highest practical line through the Pyrenees on both French and Spanish sides of the main ridge, the route is 800km long. The guide breaks it into 42 stages, and adds 10 major peak ascents along the way. Full village and facility details.

The Pyrenean Haute Route

High level trail through the Pyrenees

Author

Ton Joosten

Cover

Paperback - PVC

Edition

First

ISBN_13

9781852844264

Availability

Temporarily out of stock

Price

£15.00

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Front Cover (1)
Location Map (1)
Overview Maps (2)
Sample Routes (1)
Sample Photos (5)

Seasons

Mid-June to mid-September. Some risk of snow on high passes in June, and temperatures fall in September. August can be hot and thundery.

Centres

Starts at Hendaye on the Atlantic and finishes at Banyuls sur Mer on the Mediterranean. Avoids centres as much as possible, but rarely far from facilities.

Difficulty

A long and challenging trek through some wild and remote country. Limited waymarking, rescue remote.

Must See

Pic du Midi, the regions between Ordesa and Gavarnie, summit ascents including the Vignemale and Pico de Aneto. But the experience of this 800km trek must be the big attraction.

View Sample Route Map

Day 2: Col de Lizuniaga to Arizkun

Route: via the Col de Lizarrieta (441m), Col de Esquisaroy (515m) and the Col Bagacheta (793m)
Grade: 2
Time: 7hrs 15mins
Height gain: 800m
Height loss: 650m
Map: IGN Carte de Randonnées, 1:50,000, no 1: Pays Basque Ouest; Editorial Alpina, 1:40,000, Alduides Baztan (Haute Route is not shown on this map)

An easy walk in normal conditions. The Haute Route follows mainly the GR11 (red–white marks), so navigation is not difficult. A lot of walking on dirt roads. Some improvisation needed on the descent to Arizkun.

0.00 Col de Lizuniaga. Cross the road and follow a concrete road that soon turns into a dirt road. The road climbs gently between pastures. After 2km you meet the GR11 coming in from the right. Don’t turn right, but keep following the dirt road that bends to the left and climbs gently to the:

1.25 Col de Lizarrieta (441m). Border stone no 44. On the left there is a house, and on the right a bar/souvenir shop (probably closed). Cross a small road and climb steeply SE on a dirt road and then go down to the Col de Usategi (475m, border stone no 46), ignoring a path to the bar/restaurant Usategi. Notice a large tower (for hunters) made of stone left of the road and keep following the road, on the French side of the border, until:

2.00 Col de Nabarlatz (477m), where several paths meet near border stone no 50. Turn right, go down S between bracken and turn left on a junction. Go down in a forest until the Basate stream. Cross the stream and climb on a muddy track W to a farm. In front of the farmhouse the dirt road bends sharply to the left. Keep following the road until a junction. Turn right and walk a few minutes on a practically level dirt road. Turn left at the next junction (possibly water available left of the road) and climb on a dirt road SE. Past the highest point (building on the left, barn on the right) and continue down on the dirt road. Ignore a dirt road that comes in from the right and take a path (between bracken) on the left that soon brings you to:

3.20 Col de Irazako (540m, large trees), where a number of dirt roads meet. Climb the dirt road E left of a fence. Notice a farm/barn on the right and walk underneath a high-tension cable near the highest point. Go down SE on the right side of a ridge to:

3.40 Col d’Ursua (540m). Cross a small road and climb S on a dirt road. Past a kind of pass the dirt road bends to the left and you climb SE in a pine forest to the Col de Palomeras (610m, large building for hunters). Ignore a dirt road on the left and one on the right side soon after the pass. Soon you leave the forest. Go down SE to a pass (550m, old oak tree, several roads meet here). Continue to go down SE, pass a farmhouse to the left and follow the dirt road that bends to the right. Walk under a few beech trees and take a path on the right side of the dirt road. Walk on almost level terrain towards a dirt road. Turn left and soon you reach the:

4.30 Col d’Esquisaroy (516m). Cross a small tarmac road and climb steeply SE between pastures on an eroded dirt road. Gradually the climb eases. Leave the dirt road and turn right near a small iron cross (730m, standing or lying in the grass). Climb S to the:

5.25 Col Bagacheta (793m). Leave the GR11, which goes S, and follow a path NE.
Initially level, the path goes down SE to a col (670m). Go down SE to a farm that is surrounded by large trees. Go down SE on the dirt road that gives access to the farm. The dirt road meets a concrete road near a farm. Follow this road, ignore a road coming from the left and go down gently. After a short climb you reach a junction east of the small hamlet of Azpilkueta (370m). Turn left and walk on a road (Na‑4457) to the N 121b (250m, near the village of Arizkun). Cross the road and turn right past a few buildings after about 150m. Walk towards an old stone bridge (signpost Arizkun, yellow marks). Cross the bridge and climb finally to the centre of the village of:

7.15 Arizkun (280m), a small attractive Basque village where you can stay for the night in the charming Fonda Etxeberria (a tavern with a small shop, tel. 948 453 013 or 948 453 342). It’s the only place to stay in Arizkun!

If visibility is poor it makes sense to follow the GR11 all the way to the village of Elizondo (shops, several hotels and restaurants), 4.5km south of Arizkun. Follow the N‑121b from there to Arizkun to join the Haute Route.