France - GR10 ➤ Section 2 - St. Jean Pied de Port to Etsaut
The first part of this walk is through the Basque Country. The GR10 winds from village to village without entering Spanish territory. On this part of the route you will have the opportunity to discover the typical villages, such as Estérençuby and Logibar.
After Logibar in Sainte-Engrace - which is the easternmost Basque mountain village, the GR10 enters the more magnificent part of the Pyrenees. As you gain altitude, you reach Saint-Martin before descending to the town of Lescun, famous for its "glacial cirque" (amphitheatre-like valley).
On this section you start to see the first 2000-metre peaks, such as Pic d'Anie. Before that, however, you will see the Iraty forest, Haute Soule and the Holzarté gorges with their famous footbridge. The best part of this tour comes towards the end at the village of Estaut in the Aspe Valley, which is the gateway into the Pyrenees National Park.
About the route
This walking tour requires a good basic fitness and preferably experience of hiking in mountainous areas. The route is marked all the way and follows good paths. The terrain is varied and the ground is often rocky. Note that there are two particularly challenging stages on this walk with +1200 / -1400 metres of altitude.
Great things about this tour
Photo gallery from the tour
Here you can see the stunning scenery and some of the views that come with walking this section of the GR10
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Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is the capital of the Basque Country. It is spread over the hills at the foot of the Roncevaux Pass, which leads into Spain. After checking into your hotel, you can choose to walk around the area and discover the many delights of this beautiful region.
The GR10 route cuts about 170km through the Basque Country and winds through small villages on the French side of the Pyrenees. The route heads east from St Jean towards the nearby hills. You'll follow the route deep into the valley, past small isolated farmsteads, glistening mountain rivers and verdant hillsides. You can just make out the higher mountains of the Pyrenees to the east. You're truly in the countryside in this region of the Basque Country, where Basque culture is omnipresent.
As you pass villages such as Caro and Estérençuby, you can really enjoy the special atmosphere of the region. If you have chosen the "comfort version" of this route, you will stop in Estérençuby and stay overnight in a hotel here. If not, continue to Phagalcette, where you will stay in a hostel.
Walking time: 5½ hours (normal) or 4 hours (comfort)
Distance: 16km (normal) or 12km (comfort)
+940 / -490 (normal) or +510 / -440 (comfort)
Today you have a challenging route ahead of you. The GR10 passes through beautiful countryside along ridges with views of gorges and beech trees. Many different bird species live here, such as buzzards, black and red kites, cranes and storks. Flocks of horses, cows and sheep graze on the hillsides. The GR10 climbs the plateau at Occabé, after which you arrive at the large forest.
If you've taken the comfort version of the walk, you'll be driven from Estérençuby to Phagalcette at the start of the day's hike.
Walking time: approx. 7-8 hours
Distance: 20.5km
+1435 / -715
You start your hike from Iraty and today the route is mostly downhill. Along the way you'll pass high mountain passes and ridges with beautiful views over dense forests. You hike along the Ugatze ridge (1170moh) and finally reach Logibar.
In case of bad weather, you take an alternative route via the village of Larrau (this route can be taken regardless of the weather, of course).
Walking time: about 6½ hours or 3½ hours
Distance: 17km or 10,5km
+460 / -1400m or +210 / -1145
From Logibar, the GR10 crosses the Hozarté Gorge with its famous footbridge. The GR10 continues towards the Ardakhotchia plateau, after which you arrive at 'Cayolar de Saratzé' (1,205moh). A 'Cayolar' is a traditional shepherd's hut. You arrive in the village of Senta through the Barétous valley, which is part of the second region of the tour: Béarn.
Walking time: approx. 8 hours
Distance: 25,5km
+1210 / -975
The day begins with a short transfer from Senta to La Pierre-Saint-Martin (although it is also possible to walk the distance, which requires an overnight stay in La Pierre-Saint-Martin).
The GR10 continues to Arres de Camplong and up the L'Anie massif. From here you have a superb view over the Pas d'Azuns mountains towards the Pic d'Anie (2504moh) - one of the first really big mountains in the Pyrenees. The route continues into the famous 'Glacier Cirque' at Lescun. The views are excellent and you can see the summit of Camplong, le Pic Billare and the Sanchése plateau.
Walking time: about 6½ hours
Distance: 15,5km
+465 / -1200
This is the last walking day on section two of the GR10 between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Etsaut. The route leaves the 'amphitheatre' at Lescun and continues through a series of small, pleasant villages. After passing the Plateau de Lhers and the Col de Barancq, you'll head to Etsaut in the famous Aspe Valley. This is the very gateway into the Pyrenees National Park.
Walking time: approx. 6½ hours
Distance: 16km
+850 / -1140
Note: On our walking holidays we would normally have a night in the last town before checking out in the morning. However, on our GR10 treks we finish the sections without the last night because the next section has this "arrival night" included. Today you therefore have several options:
- If your walking holiday is only this section, you can either let the tour end with the arrival in the town, then continue to the airport or back to your car - or you can choose to add an "extra night in the last town" on the booking form.
- If you are walking several sections of the GR10, you don't need to choose an extra night here because it is already included in the next section (you can, however, choose an extra night anyway if you want a rest day).
Price includes
- 6 nights in hostels in dormitories (can be upgraded to comfort version - see under "accommodation" below)
- Breakfast every day
- Dinner every day (except Day 1)
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Luggage transfer between accommodations
- Transfers as described in the programme
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from France
- Drinks with meals
- Handling fee (€20)
- Optional Accommodation upgrade (see more below)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons it is not possible to go on this tour as a solotraveler.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Biarritz in France are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 48 hours)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
From Biarritz airport to St. Jean Pied de Port
It is easy to get from Biarritz airport to St. Jean Pied de Port. It is possible to take the train and bus, which take about 2½ hours. It is also possible to take a taxi, which takes about 50 minutes. Get an overview of the options here: Rome2Rio
Return from Etsaut to St. Jean Pied de Port
If you need to return to St. Jean Pied de Port after the tour, we can arrange a transfer for you. This costs 170 euros for 1-4 people.
Return from Etsaut to Biarritz Airport
Here's how to get from Etsaut all the way to Biarritz airport: Rome2Rio
On this trip you will stay 6 nights in hostels in dormitories. If you wish to upgrade to the Comfort version of the tour, you will stay as follows:
COMFORT
1 night in a 3-star hotel (day 1)
1 night in a 2-star hotel (day 2)
1 night in guesthouse in private room (day 6)
1 night in chalet in private room (day 3)
1 night in private dormitory (day 4)
1 night in dormitory (day 5)
Note: Sleeping in dormitory is required on both versions of the tour and therefore it is necessary to bring a sheet / sleeping bag on the tour. You will be provided with blankets at all accommodations, so sheet bag will be sufficient.
On this trip, breakfast and dinner are included throughout the trip. However, on day 1, only breakfast is included.
Included meals
Breakfast is the standard "continental breakfast" with tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam etc.
Evening meals consist of 3-course menus with starter, main course and dessert.
Please note that drinks for the evening meals are not included in the price.
Dinner on Day 1
In St. Jean Pied de Port there are many restaurants to choose from.
Lunch
Lunch is not included but can be purchased at the accommodation. It will typically be in the form of a picnic lunch that you take with you on the tour.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 15kg each.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
This trip is aimed at the experienced hiker in good physical shape and with mountain hiking experience.
The hikes are on average 7-8 hours per day, the altitude difference on average 1000-1300 m. The tour follows accessible paths, but also on uneven terrain, with some minor technical difficulties. The walking times given are indicative, they are average times that only take into account the duration of the actual walk without taking breaks into account. Depending on the weather conditions, the walking pace may also vary.
This tour has difficulty grade 3-4. Which means that most days are difficulty 3 and some days are difficulty 4.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
Grade 4
Trekking with daily walks of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain and higher altitude. There will be longer ascents and descents. Requires endurance and strong knees and ankles. Requires good hiking boots and "outdoor" clothing. There will be major fluctuations in temperatures.
Read more about our Grading System
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
Travel Insurance In general we recommend that you are covered by a good travel insurance covering at least Medical Expenses, Illness, Personal Accident, Baggage and Repatriation. The customer is responsible to take the necessary travel insurance that covers these costs. Bering Travel, or our local partners, do not have any responsibility for our customers not being covered by a necessary travel insurance. You have to arrange your insurance in your home country.
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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