Uhart-Cize

The challenge and beauty of this trek are of equal magnitude. After flying into Pamplona, taxiing into the south of Frances and hiking the rigorous incline of the Pyrenees, you will be blessed with a mystical environment. We originally departed from SJPP, and stayed at Refuge Orisson to break up the long distance and major elevation gain.   It was a great decision considering how fun this lodge...

Departing Roncesvalles with rested bodies was an unknown necessity.   As we picked up the path marked with blue and yellow arrows, my companions and I were promptly greeted with a dark and damp forest trail, with thick moss upon the stone wall.   I felt heavy, but not due to my pack or hiking boots that were trudging through the mud laden trail.   My mind and heart felt the burden, perhaps by t...

Departing from the beautiful and welcoming Hotel Txantxorena, we connected with the Camino de Santiago at Calle 4 to loop eastward before diverging off the village roadways. Zubiri, Basque for bridge, did not disappoint with several pleasing river crossings to adorn the 25 km walk southwest into the bustling city of Pamplona. This full day of hiking brought with it much easier terrain than the ...

Lafitenia is a right hand point break that is located in the Basque country of Southern France.  This wave breaks most frequently during the winter time.  Waves can get decently big so always make sure to check the forecast!   Parking can be found in the lot on top of the hill.

Cote des Basques is a popular longboarding surf spot in Biarritz, France.  It is also a great place to learn how to surf on the French coast.  Waves here are mellow and there are often very large crowds. It is a beach break, so waves break both left and right.  When the swell picks up the wave is predominantly a right. If you move further down the beach when there's more swell, the waves are a ...

This is the main beach in Biarritz, France. It's a very popular summer time destination, but the waves are on the smaller side during this season. The waves begin to pick up during the fall and winter months. This is a beach break, providing rippable waves up and down the beach. There is a rip that takes you out to the lineup on the south end of the beach by the rocks. Use this on a bigger day....

This nestled cove beach is in the heart of Biarritiz. It's a great place to just relax and enjoy the sun. This is a very popular beach with many locals, so get there early because the beach is relatively small and the good spots fill up rather quickly. It is also a nude beach, which is similar to most beaches in the region. If you're walking from Grande Plage along the coast and made it to Cote...

There is a beautiful walk out to the rock formation and the Virgin Mary statue. When you walk out to the rock formation, you get a great view of the downtown area of Biarritz and the more rural southern end of the town. If you go in the winter time, you can see large waves crash against the rock.  WARNING: Time the walk out accordingly or you will get splashed when the waves are big.

This lighthouse is located north of Grande Plage beach. It's a great place to explore because it provides scenic vistas of downtown Biarritz, as well as the northern town of Anglet. The lighthouse has a couple of grassy areas where people can picnic while watching the ocean. It's all and all a great place to check out while you are in Biarritz!