43.31° N · 1.64° W · French Basque Coast
A rack railway with wooden carriages climbs from the Col de Saint-Ignace, between Sare and Ascain, to the summit of La Rhune, at 905 m and right on the border. From the top you see the coast from Biarritz to Hondarribia and, to the south, the Pyrenees of Navarre. Round trip, allow two and a half hours.
Part of French Basque CoastBay of Biscay
Who offers it
Independent companies: you book with them, on their terms. Prices are as they publish them and may change.
Step by step
The car park is next to the Col de Saint-Ignace station. If you bought online, you go straight to the platform.
The train climbs slowly, among ferns and pottoks, to the summit station, at 905 m. Sit on the right going up to see the sea.
There are ventas with a bar, restaurant and shop on both sides of the border. The viewpoint takes in the Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay, Biarritz, the Bidasoa and Hondarribia.
On whichever train comes. The classic ticket is a return: the climb alone is not sold.
La Rhune (Larrun) is the 905 m mountain that closes the Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay to the south, with the summit right on the border between Labourd and Navarre. Since 1924 a rack railway with wooden carriages has climbed it from the Col de Saint-Ignace, on the road between Ascain and Sare. It is the way to see at a glance the coast you are going to explore: from Biarritz to Hondarribia on one side, the Bidasoa, and to the south the mountains of Navarre and the Pyrenees. Round trip, allow two and a half hours.
It runs every day from late March to early November; in 2026, from 28 March to 1 November. In winter it does not run: the website announces reopening for March 2027, with no fixed date yet.
Using the 2026 hours as a guide:
In 2026, the classic return ticket cost €26 for adults and €18 for ages 4 to 12; a family of two adults and two children, €82. Under-4s go free, but need their own €0 ticket. A dog pays €6.50. With a guide on board, add €5 per adult and €4 per child. There is a descent-only ticket (€23.50 and €15) for those who walk up; the climb alone is not sold.
You buy on the website or at the station; at the summit cheques are also accepted, but cash is not accepted anywhere.
It is usually cooler at the top than on the coast, in summer too, and fog can cover everything.
Before paying, check the webcam and the forecast on the train's website: if the summit is in cloud, you will see little.
The station is at the Col de Saint-Ignace, on the D4 (3205 Santinazioko Errebidea, Sare), about ten minutes by car from Sare and Ascain. In summer arrive early, before queues form.
It is an outing that works with children of any age: the journey entertains and there is room at the top. For getting around the summit, a baby carrier is more comfortable than a pushchair. The dog travels with its own ticket.
If fog closes in at the top or it starts to rain, wait in the ventas and come down on whichever train comes: the descent does not depend on visibility. Climbing on foot from the col is about 800 m of ascent; only for those who are equipped and in stable weather.
On the way down, complete the day with Espelette and Ainhoa or return to the coast via Saint-Jean-de-Luz. For a picnic at the top, shop at Les Halles in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Who it's for
You are with the family or want the view without walking up: the climb from the col is about 800 m.
It is foggy or the summit is covered. Check the webcam on the train's website or the sky from Ascain before paying.
What to bring
More to do
Itineraries
Tips
In July and August it leaves between 8:20 and 8:50 depending on the week. By mid-morning queues form.
They give about two and a half hours free at the top, with time for lunch on the summit.
The col is ten minutes by car from both villages: eat there on the way down.
Questions
In 2026, €26 return for an adult and €18 for children aged 4 to 12. Under-4s go free, with a €0 ticket.
It is not compulsory, but in summer it is worth buying online to secure your time.
Yes, with its own €6.50 ticket.
Every day from late March to early November. In winter it does not run; it returns in March 2027.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/france/nouvelle-aquitaine/french-basque-coast/things-to-do/la-rhune-rack-railway
