Coastal Path from Bidart to Saint-Jean-de-Luz

The route in numbers

It is the first stage of the GR 8 along the Basque Coast: from Erretegia beach, in Bidart, to place Louis XIV in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. It is about 13 km (the departmental tourist office gives 13.3 km; other guides, 12.8), 340 m of cumulative ascent in short climbs and about 3 h 30 walking, not counting stops. Medium difficulty, for anyone used to walking. It is one-way only: the return is by bus or train.

It runs along the clifftop, past coves and beaches, tracks and the odd stretch of quiet road and greenway. There are no big climbs, but there are many stairs and short ramps going down to and up from each beach.

Step by step

1. Erretegia beach. The path starts about 150 m below the car park, past a barrier, where a panel shows the route. Climb the stairs on the left and follow the Corniche de la Falaise to the viewpoint of the chapel of Sainte-Madeleine, above Bidart.
2. Towards Guéthary. Go down beside the orientation table to the Centre beach, climb past the lifeguard post, cross the car park and follow rue de l'Uhabia. Pass under the N10 and go down to Uhabia beach; climb back up to the chapel of Saint-Joseph.
3. Guéthary. You walk the village's seafront, with explanatory panels, and its small harbour. At the end of the bay you climb to the greenway.
4. From Cénitz to Erromardie. Along the greenway to the Duhartea road and the Cénitz roundabout; then, by the beach road, to Lafitenia. You climb again, pass the Kokotia farm and go down to Erromardie beach.
5. Towards Sainte-Barbe. Along avenue de l'Abbé Idiartegaray, beside the coastal botanical garden, you reach the Archiloa cross. The path goes round the park, climbs along rue de la Pile d'Assiettes and rue de Bernoville and crosses the Chaliapine promenade.
6. Pointe Sainte-Barbe and arrival. At the point, with its lighthouse and orientation table, you have the whole Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay in front of you. Follow the Rocks promenade and the beach promenade, below the La Pergola casino, go out along the breakwater to the harbour lighthouse and finish along the quay at place Louis XIV, in the middle of the old town.

Waymarking and closures

It is marked with the white and red stripes of the GR, and on many stretches with its own "sentier du littoral" signs. The Bidart tourist office sells a folding map of the path for €1, and on the Tourisme 64 website you can download the sheet and the GPX.

The cliff moves, and sometimes there are stretches closed because of landslides or works, with signposted diversions. In September and October 2026, for example, the path was diverted at Cénitz beach along the cycle route between Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Guéthary. Ask at the tourist office or check the Tourisme 64 sheet before setting off.

Where to park and how to return

To start, enter Bidart coming from Bayonne, turn right onto rue Erretegia and, after about 50 m, right again into the Erretegia beach car park. In summer it fills up early.

To return, the easiest is the Txik Txak bus line 3, which runs along the coast between Hendaye and Bayonne and passes through Bidart. The coast train stops at Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Ciboure and at Guéthary, but not at Bidart. Another option: leave the car in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, take the bus to the start and finish the route next to the car.

If it seems long, cut it at Guéthary, halfway, which has a railway station.

When to go, water and shade

Spring and autumn are the best times: mild temperatures and fewer people on the beaches. In summer, set off early: there is almost no shade along the cliff. The official sheet recommends doing it at low tide, when the beaches can be seen in full. There are bars in Bidart, Guéthary and some beaches, but bring water from home, especially in summer. In a strong wind or rain, the dirt stretches along the edge are slippery: better another day.

With children used to walking it can be done, in sections; the youngest are better going only as far as Guéthary. With a dog too, on a lead and with water for it; the rules for dogs on the sand change from one beach to another, so check the signs at each.

If you want to sleep beside the path, the Camping Bord de Mer and La Ferme Erromardie are in the bay of Erromardie, where the route passes.