Hiking in Espelette: Trails, Mondarrain, and the GR10

Hiking from Espelette in the Basque Country

Espelette is an ideal starting point for hiking in the Basque Country. Located one kilometer from the town center, the Ezpondakoborda guesthouse offers access to mid-mountain trails, away from the most crowded sites. Forests, ridges, and meadows stretch out across a Natura 2000-designated landscape at the foot of Mount Mondarrain.

This setting allows you to enjoy a leisurely walk, set out early in the morning, and return to a peaceful environment after your hike. The trails are suitable for both casual walkers and experienced hikers.

Mondarrain and Artzamendi, peaks near Espelette

Mondarrain (749 m) overlooks Espelette and Itxassou. The hike to the summit, which can be completed in half a day, offers unobstructed views of Labourd, the Atlantic Ocean, and the first peaks of the Pyrenees. Artzamendi (926 m), recognizable by its facilities at the summit, can be climbed from the Col des Veaux or from Itxassou.

In these hills, you’ll often come across pottoks—small, semi-wild horses—and Manech sheep roaming freely. These encounters are part of the hiking experience in the inland Basque Country.

The GR10 and the marked trails around Espelette

The GR10, which connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean by crossing the Pyrenees, passes near Espelette. Numerous short and medium-length hiking trails complement it around Aïnhoa, Sare, and Itxassou. These loop trails allow you to vary the distance and elevation gain depending on how you feel that day.

We provide our guests with guidebooks for the marked trails in the Basque Country and a storage area for hiking gear. We’d be happy to recommend our favorite routes based on your skill level and the weather.

Extend the experience around Espelette

Also worth exploring: mountain biking and cycling around Espelette, canoeing and rafting, or all the activities and villages around Espelette. To plan your stay, check out the Mendi bed-and-breakfast.