Itinerary
- Day 1
Aire-sur-l'Adour
You'll arrive in Aire-sur-l'Adour, a quiet market town sitting along the River Adour with history stretching back to Roman times. Take the day to walk around the town center, checking out Rue Gambetta and Rue Carnot where you'll find small local shops. This gives you a chance to get oriented before your hiking journey starts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Rue Gambetta and Rue Carnot for local shops
- Visit Roman settlement remnants and learn about the town's history
Landmarks Aire-sur-l'Adour - Day 2
Aire-sur-l'Adour to Arzacq
This is a challenging hiking day covering about 31 km with 365m of climbing and 215m of descent. You'll walk through green landscapes, passing through hamlets and old buildings including medieval chapels and traditional washhouses. Early on you'll catch your first view of the snow-capped Pyrenees, and later you'll reach the 11th century church of Miramont Sensacq, which was once dedicated to St. James.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking trail from Aire-sur-l'Adour to Arzacq Arraziguet
- Visit Miramont Sensacq 11th century church
Landmarks Miramont Sensacq Church Pyrénées-Atlantiques - Day 3
Arzacq to Larreule
The route takes you through rolling hills with southern views of the Pyrenees the whole way. You'll pass through villages like Louvigny and Larreule, where there's a 10th century Benedictine monastery that served as an important stop for medieval pilgrims. This day is shorter at about 12.3 km with 200m of climbing and 305m of descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking trail from Arzacq to Larreule
- Visit 10th century Benedictine monastery in Larreule
Landmarks Larreule Benedictine Monastery - Day 4
Larreule to Maslacq
You'll hike past the country church of Sainte Quitterie in Uzan and a historic stone fountain, then continue through Arthez-de-Béarn, which stands out for its Basque architecture. After that you're heading to Maslacq on a pleasant 26 km route. Several longer climbs add difficulty to the day, with 155m of ascent and 205m of descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking trail from Larreule to Maslacq
- Visit Sainte Quitterie church in Uzan
- See stone fountain at Uzan
Landmarks Sainte Quitterie Church Arthez-de-Béarn - Day 5
Maslacq to Navarrenx
Walking through forest, you'll experience a long descent that brings you down to Navarrenx, a walled town that was the first place in France to get Italian-style ramparts back in the 16th century. It's recognized as one of France's most beautiful villages and you can see the Pyrenees from the ramparts. The 13th century bridge here is worth checking out. Today covers about 22 km with 380m of ascent and 335m of descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking trail from Maslacq to Navarrenx
- Explore Navarrenx walled town and ramparts
- Visit 13th century bridge of Navarrenx
Landmarks Navarrenx Bridge of Navarrenx - Day 6
Navarrenx to Lichos
You'll hike through forests and quiet landscapes on your way to Lichos, where you'll enter the French Basque Country. This is a shorter day at about 13 km with just 95m of climbing and 120m of descent, so you'll have time to take in the peaceful scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking trail from Navarrenx to Lichos
Landmarks French Basque Country - Day 7
Lichos to Saint-Palais
Today you're hiking through Basque Country and stopping at the Romanesque church of St. Etienne in Aroue. There's an optional detour to see the Romanesque church of St. Just in Olhaiby if you have the energy. Your accommodation in Saint-Palais sits about 4.5 km north of the main GR65 path, so you'll need to change direction at the scallop shell stele. This 24 km day has 340m of ascent and 310m of descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking trail from Lichos to Saint-Palais
- Visit Romanesque church of St. Etienne in Aroue
- Visit Romanesque church of St. Just in Olhaiby
Landmarks St. Etienne Church, Aroue St. Just Church, Olhaiby - Day 8
Saint-Palais to Ostabat
You'll walk past the Stelle de Gibraltar, where all the Camino routes from France come together, then continue over gentle hills to the chapel of Soyarce with great Pyrenees views. Later you reach Ostabat, a village that was once an important medieval pilgrimage stop. This shorter day covers about 12.5 km with 230m of ascent and 230m of descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking trail from Saint-Palais to Ostabat
- Visit Stelle de Gibraltar
- Visit chapel of Soyarce
Landmarks Stelle de Gibraltar Chapel of Soyarce Ostabat - Day 9
Ostabat to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Your final hiking day takes you through rural Basque Country before you reach the Gate of St. Jacques and enter Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port at the foot of the Pyrenees. This historic border town on the River Nive is where the French Way to Santiago de Compostela traditionally begins. You'll cover about 21.5 km with 200m of ascent and 215m of descent. If you want, consider booking an extra night here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking trail from Ostabat to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
- Explore medieval town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Optional Activities
- Book an extra night in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Landmarks Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Gate of St. Jacques Roncevaux Pass 
