The terms left and right in the text always refer to left and right of the direction of travel, not the direction of flow of rivers! Places, buildings and other features on the maps that are significant for route navigation are shown in bold in the route descriptions. Throughout the route an indication is given of facilities available (accommodation, bothies, campsites, campgrounds, waterpoints, foodshops, picnic sites, tourist offices), and at the end of the stage facilities are listed with their contact details. A facilities summary table can be found in Appendix B.
Maps
The cheapest way to get a complete detailed map of the GR10 is to buy the FFRandonnée TopoGuides which come in four volumes, complete with map pages at 1:50,000, www.ffrandonnee.fr
The Pyrenees is covered by the IGN Carte de Randonnée series maps at 1:50,000 (Rando edition). Numbers 1–8, 10 and 11 are required. IGN maps at 1:25,000 are available, but they are not needed.
Maps are available to buy at www.mapsworldwide.com, www.stanfords.co.uk, www.themapshop.co.uk and www.themapcentre.com. Complete IGN 1:25,000 and 1:100,000 coverage of France is available for GPS from Memory-map: www.memory-map.co.uk. Viewranger have the 1:100,000 and 1:25,000 IGN maps. Additionally French Apps have complete IGN mapping available.
Timings
The timings given in the guide are the actual walking times recorded by the author. These do not include any time for breaks or breathers, and actual walking time will depend on other factors such as group size, navigational ability, fitness, load and conditions. As a guideline, expect to take a total time about 50% longer than the time given, which means allowing nine hours for a six-hour walking day. This will obviously depend on your walking patterns and how you plan your day. Times to climb peaks assume you are fit and walking without a pack.
Distances, climb and height profiles
Distances don’t mean very much on the GR10 where the steepness and roughness of the terrain is far more important than the distance. Distances and climb have been estimated from the maps. The height profiles are intended to show the general trend of the day’s walk and won’t show all ups and downs.
GPS
A GPS device is not needed to follow the GR10. At the time of writing the ‘free’ maps of the GR10 that you can download from the internet are too inaccurate to be worth bothering with. There are good maps available but you will have to pay for them.
THE GR10
Le Billare (Stage 11)
1 HENDAYE-PLAGE TO ETSAUT
KEY INFORMATION
| Distance | 221km |
| Total ascent | 11,300m |
| Time | 68hr walking |
| Maps | IGN Carte de Randonnées 1:50,000 maps 1–3 |
The first nine stages to Sainte-Engrâce are over the steep rolling hills of the Basque Country. This is followed by a rapid transition to the steep limestone peaks of the High Pyrenees. This is the easiest section of the GR10, but in early season there could be problems with snow in the final stages.
Plateau de Lhers (Stage 12)
Getting to the start from Hendaye railway station
Head NE from the station, then turn left over the railway and follow the road all the way to the old casino on the seafront at Hendaye-Plage (40mins). If you are on a local train it is quicker to get off at les Deux Jumeaux station and then head N to the seafront.
STAGE 1
Hendaye-Plage to Olhette
| Start | Résidence Croisière (old casino), Hendaye-Plage |
| Distance | 21km |
| Total ascent | 1200m |
| Total descent | 1100m |
| Time | 6hr 5min |
| High point | N slopes of Mandale (530m) |
| Note | Although Coleman-style camping gas is difficult to find in Hendaye, all types of camping gas are available at the Decathlon store on the Txingudi commercial area at the southwest end of Irún near junction 2 of the A-8 autopista in Spain. |
Once Hendaye is left behind the GR10 provides easy walking, through a mixture of woodland and pasture, over the steep rolling hills of the Basque Country.
Hendaye has the international railway station and the main shopping areas while the beach resort of Hendaye-Plage, with its 3km sandy beach, has most of the accommodation and tourist facilities. There are toilets just along the seafront to the W of the start.
The town of Hendaye is only separated from the Spanish town of Irún by la Bidassoa river. The GR10 starts at the Résidence Croisière on the seafront. This magnificent building, built in 1885 in neo-Moorish style, was originally a casino but is now occupied by a selection of restaurants and tourist shops. For those who are travelling light, the E end of the beach is costumes-optional.
The old ‘casino’ in Hendaye-Plage
Head S down the Boulevard du Général Leclerc and, at a large roundabout, veer right down Rue des Citronniers to reach la Baie de Chingoudy. Turn left along the promenade, passing two sets of toilets and a waterpoint by a play area, to reach the Stade Bixente Lizarazu football ground. Veer left round the far end of the pitch, pass another waterpoint and go under the bridge to a roundabout. Keep straight on along a passage between flats and veer left up a minor road and along a footpath to another roundabout. Keep straight on up the Chemin de Biaténia which merges with the Boulevard de l’Emperor (30min). Turn right here if you need the large Intermarché supermarket (15min), which sells original and easy-clic camping gas.
Turn left for the GR10 and fork right up Rue Errondenia. At the top of the road turn right up the Rue de Pausoa and out of town. At the top of the hill turn left down a track, soon forking right and right again for your first wild camping opportunity (50min). Fork left to the top of Migeltxoenborda (132m) and veer left down to the D810 road (formerly N10). Turn left along the road and, after 100m, fork right down a track which soon becomes a path. At a junction, fork right along a track which becomes a small tarmac road. Then it’s left at a junction, fork right at the top of a hill, straight on at the next junction, sharp left, left again and next right to reach a tunnel which takes you under the A63 motorway. Ignore a sharp left turn and some tarmac drives to reach a junction at the top of the hill (1hr 40min).
Turn right if you want to visit the hamlet of Biriatou. There is a waterpoint in the hotel car park