Everything you need to know about walking the Coastal Walkway from L’escale Surf Hostel
Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz are two of the most beautiful and charming towns in the Basque Country…after Guéthery that is! The Coastal Pathway, or Le Sentier du Littoral as we call it in French, that connects these two towns is an unforgettable experience, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, rocky cliffs, and many sandy beaches.
The Coastal Pathway is a popular activity among backpackers staying at our hostel in Basque Country, and it's easy to see why. The views along the way are stunning, with the rugged coastline and turquoise waters providing the perfect backdrop for your walk. The path is well-maintained and easy to navigate, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a rest or take photos.
You can easily access the Coastal Pathway from L’escale Surf Hostel and this article contains some local tips so you can have the best experience possible!
Total Length = 16 km
Time to walk from Biarritz to Saint-Jean-de-Luz = 7 - 8 hours
Difficulty: the difficulty varies depending on which section you are walking but because the terrain is undulating (there are lots of climbs up and down into the beaches) we would probably say this walk is moderate difficulty. However some sections are very easy and you can take the pathway at your own pace doing as little or much of it as you want each day before returning to the hostel to relax on our sunny terrace or cosy common area.
There are some public toilets along the way but they are far and few between
What to take/wear for the Coastal Pathway
Swimwear and towel
Sunscreen and a hat
Some snacks
Cash is essential if you want to catch the bus back as they do not accept cards! They also prefer it if you have exact or small change - a one way ticket costs around €1.40
Plenty of drinking water
Wear good footwear as this pathway is not suitable for flip flops (jandals as the New Zealanders call them, thongs if you are Australian).
Taking a jacket is recommended as the weather is changeable and it is an exposed walkway meaning it can sometimes be windy.
Navigating the Coastal Pathway
Finding the trail markers can be almost as much fun as actually doing the walk itself. The trail is marked with white, red and yellow paint. Sometimes you will see these markers on sign posts, other times rocks, trees or fence posts. If you are not paying careful attention it is easy to miss a marker and end up on another trail (usually a residential street leading to one of the small villages).
The trail for the Coastal Pathway begins about 5 minutes walk from L’escale Surf Hostel. You can either go south towards Saint-Jean or North towards Biarritz making both options possible!
Local’s tip: here are some photos of the markers you are likely to encounter with an explanation of what they mean. Understanding what the markers mean can save you a lot of time finding the trail.
Photos (from left to right):
If you see an 'X' this means that is not the way to go!
Markers shaped like 'L' mean to turn left or right depending on the way the 'L' is pointing.
If the lines are parallel go straight on
It is also possible to travel to/from Biarritz and Saint Jean by bicycle. We rent bicycles from the hostel and it is a good option for people with less time as walking the full distance between Biarritz and Saint Jean is best split over several days unless you really want a full day hike.
Walk from Guéthery to Saint Jean
This is probably our favourite section and the walk we recommend if you are only staying a few days and don't have time to complete the full hike. The 8km walk takes around 2 hours and offers incredible views of the mountains, ocean and traditional Basque villages.
Bibam Bar is one of the best places to stop between Guéthary and Saint-Jean for a drink as their tropical beer garden will make you feel as if you are in Bali. It’s the perfect place to watch the sun go down over the surf too.
Local's tip: the beer garden is a bit hidden so you may not see it when you first arrive at Bibam. It’s to the left of the main building down some steps. You won’t regret making the trip here, seriously it's like a little mini paradise.
Just before arriving in Saint Jean you will pass Pointe de Sainte-Barbe viewpoint, which offers panoramic views of the entire coastline and is a great spot for a photo and picnic!
Finally you'll arrive in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a beautiful town with a rich history and culture.
Here you can grab lunch or try the local speciality, macarons from Maison Adam (these are different from the ones you will see in the rest of France) or gateau Basque from Paries .
Catch the bus or train back to Guéthary - our hostel is less than 5 minutes walk from the train and bus stations.
Walk from Guéthary to Biarritz
This path is a slightly more challenging route and is better if you are staying a bit longer with us as you will discover some awesome beaches you will want to return to. The path leaves our charming fishing village by a path right next to the ocean before winding its way up and down many beaches along the beautiful coastline. The first village you go through is called Bidart - here you can buy the best croissant in the region or even try the famous basque gâteau.
The walk continues along the scenic coastline taking you through stunning seaside scenery, including small coves and rocky cliffs, until you arrive at Plage d’Erretegia. There is a fairly steep climb out of this beach and then the pathway has been washed away by a landslide so you must follow the road until reaching Plage d'Ilbarritz where you can rejoin the Coastal Pathway. Next you pass through Côte des Basques (our favourite spot to watch the sunset). You will then pass by Rocher de la Vierge, a rock formation in the middle of the sea with a statue of the Virgin Mary on top.
Then you will reach Biarritz where you can have lunch (see recommendations below) or chill at the main beach. You have the option to add on a visit to Phare de Biarritz lighthouse which offers a viewpoint towards the South along the coast from where you have just come.
We recommend these places to eat in Biarritz:
Club Sandwich is an easy location to reach on foot (24 Rue d'Espagne Biarritz - click here for a map).
For dinner, our absolute favourite is Aiete which is a nice place to eat local and organic produce. Check out their instagram page for more information (22 Rue Harispe Biarritz - click here for a map).
For the best Italian pizza, check out Little Trallallà Pizzeria (which is also next to cote des basques) (51bis Rue Gambetta, 64200 Biarritz - click here for a map).
You can then catch the bus back from Biarritz. This is better than catching the train as the train station is not near the beach.
Hiking beyond to the Camino de Santiago
For those seeking an even longer adventure, it is possible to connect the Coastal Pathway up with the beginning of Camino de Santiago or the Way of Saint James. The Camino del Norte or Northern Way is one possible path and it officially begins in Irun which is about 30 minutes by train from Guéthary.
Our Surf Hostel is the perfect place to rest up for a few days before leaving on this big through-hike which can take you all the way to Bilbao in Spain and beyond.
Book Your Stay at L’escale Surf Hostel
After a big day of hiking there is nothing better than relaxing on our terrace with a cold drink chatting to the other guests about their hiking or surfing adventures. So what are you waiting for?! Your dream hiking adventure awaits you in Guéthary.
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