Train de la Rhune

The rack railway that climbs from the Col de Saint-Ignace, between Sare and Ascain, to the summit of La Rhune, at 905 m. It opens each year from late March to early November.

Who they are

The Train de la Rhune has run since 1924 and has been part of the landscape of the French Basque Country ever since. It is operated by a public establishment, subject to public accounting, and the departure station is at the Col de Saint-Ignace, at 3205 Santinazioko Errebidea, in Sare. The website is in French, English, Spanish and Basque, and answers practical questions in detail.

The journey and the season

The ascent takes about 35 minutes and the descent as many. The full excursion is around two and a half hours, with 1 hour 20 minutes at the summit, with panoramic views over the Basque Country. At the top there are three ventas, run separately, with bar, restaurant and souvenirs, and guided visits can be booked. At the station below there is a picnic area.

In low season five trains a day run, at 9:30, 10:50, 12:10, 14:10 and 15:30; the 12:10 allows you to stay two and a half hours at the top. In high season, from 6 July to 30 August, a train leaves every 40 minutes from 8:50 to 17:30, with one more at 8:20 from late July, and extra departures are added if there is demand. The 2026 season ran from 28 March to 1 November; it is now closed for winter and announces the return in March 2027. Rain and clouds do not stop the train: it is only suspended when the prefecture orders it because of storm, strong wind or hail.

Dogs, pushchairs and accessibility

Dogs go up paying their own return ticket, between the owner's legs under the bench, and are on a lead at the summit. For babies they recommend a baby carrier rather than a pushchair; if one is taken, it must be foldable and goes in a compartment. At the top there is a steep ramp and stony paths. Wheelchairs only fit if folded, and the person must be able to climb alone or accompanied: there are two steps of about 20 cm, and the ramp at the summit requires help.

Tickets, parking and refunds

Tickets are bought online by card or Connect holiday vouchers up to an hour before, or at the ticket office, with advance sales a few days before or on the day depending on places; paper holiday vouchers are only accepted at the ticket office. You cannot book by phone or by email, except groups of more than 20 people, who write to [email protected]. In season it is wise to buy in advance.

The station's two car parks fill up fast and sometimes you have to leave the car on the road, so they ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead. As an alternative, bus lines 44 and 45 (Txik Txak) arrive from Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and there is free parking at Chantaco. Motorhomes may park during the excursion, not overnight. Tickets are not refunded or changed except for a justified reason, such as illness or breakdown, which is considered case by case; if departures are suspended because of extreme weather, the train offers a change of date or a refund.