The (re) discovery of the Coastal Path from Bidart to Guéthary

For you who come to recharge your batteries in Bidart every year or almost for many years,
For you who plan to stay there for your next vacation, I tested the first kilometers of the Coastal Path from Bidart to Guéthary… and it's far from being a simple hike, you can believe me!
My conclusion: the coastal path has been, is and will inevitably be on the list of your must-sees in the Basque Country.
And if it isn't… you know what you have to do!

This hike, which allows you to go along and discover the Basque Coast on foot, starts from Bidart and offers superb panoramas, over more than 25km ...
Today I suggest you discover the initial portion of this trail from a different angle, from Bidart to Guéthary - the most beautiful part, let's be modest? - by focusing our attention on elements of history and heritage that you will notice along the way.

I chose to start from the starting point - logical, you would say - but you can join the trail by different places on the coast! So, I took the bus to the Erretegia stop and I went to the starting point at the superb cirque d 'Erretegia.
It is a site classified as Sensitive Natural Area, which has been the subject of a renaturation project in order to give back its place to nature and to anticipate adaptation to climate change (erosion, retreat of the coastline, etc.) .

Good at the start, it climbs hard through the cliff, but the scene is already set, we will be amazed and full legs! The first ascent of the steps through the cliff finished, I discovered a rather calm and residential alley “the cliff ledge” until going down and joining the emblematic Sainte Madeleine chapel.
The latter, perched on the cliff, is an ancient landmark for sailors, it is also an essential passage for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela who choose the coastal route called the “Camino del Norte”.
Below, I discovered the stelae of the Departmental Memorial for World War II and for Peace. They stand proudly, erected on the cliff, so that everyone can remember… it does something as they say.

After having photographed this panorama from all angles, I took the few steps to go down to the orientation table… I recommend a short stop to point your finger at the different mountains at the start of the Pyrenees range. Ocean and mountain in one shot… it's beautiful… The reputation of this route keeps all its promises.

I then went down to the Center beach with its emblematic dike then to that of theUhabia, the old port of Bidart! And yes, at the time of whaling there was a port in Bidart! There is a plaque on the walkway over the Uhabia River that gives more information about this period.
There are few vestiges of this ancient port today, but at least one remains! As I continued along the path, I was challenged to find the whale fat ovens… I will give you some clues to locate them: they are located between the lifeguard station and the chemin de Parlementia… Yes, there, housed in a stone wall, after a few steps on the left side when you go up through the cliff to join the Parliamentia path ...
On the heights of the Parlementia district, I was surprised to discover a small plaque affixed to the wall of the beautiful villa Emak Bakia, but I will not tell you more ... I continued to walk in this alley before get to the magnificent Saint-Joseph chapel, which symbolizes the union with the neighboring village of Guéthary. Well, it was closed, but I was able to discover it virtually by scanning the QR code which is on the side wall! Convenient !

I then took a few minutes to look at the trail interpretation tables in front of the Parlementia surf spot. What happiness! Going down the few steps crossing the vegetation, one arrives on the promenade of the last beach of Bidart, the Parliamentia beach.
The trail then continues after the first aid station, on the coastal promenade of the charming village of Guéthary. The neighboring village has retained its small fishing port at the foot of the Guetharia residence, an emblematic art deco building which was once a casino and a hotel.

You are free to continue your hike by following the yellow signs to discover the beaches of Saint Jean de Luz, its remarkable bay, the port of Ciboure, the fort of Socoa, the Corniche between Urrugne and Hendaye, the magnificent Château d'Abbadia ...
As far as I am concerned, I chose to take a moment on the beach of the port of Guéthary and to photograph the panorama which is offered since the dike: a view on the superb village of Bidart?

Bon plan!
The topoguide of the coastal path is on sale at the Tourist Office: € 1