# The La Rhune Rack Railway A rack railway that has climbed since 1924 from the Col de Saint-Ignace to the summit of La Rhune, at 905 m: 2 h 30 round trip, €26 per adult. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/nouvelle-aquitaine/french-basque-coast/things-to-do/la-rhune-rack-railway · Revisado: 2026-11-11 Dónde: French Basque Coast ### What it is 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. ### Season and 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: April to June and September: first train at 9:30 and last around 16:10. Some departures run only if there is demand. 6 July to 30 August: first train at 8:50 (at 8:20 from 27 July), about one every 40 minutes and last at 17:30. October and November: departures at 9:30, 10:50, 12:10, 14:10 and 15:30. ### Prices and tickets 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. ### At the top 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. ### Getting there and parking 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. ### With children, a dog, if the weather changes 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. ## Paso a paso ### 15 min · Park and validate The car park is next to the Col de Saint-Ignace station. If you bought online, you go straight to the platform. ### 35 min · The climb 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. ### 1 h 20 · At the top 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. ### 35 min · The descent On whichever train comes. The classic ticket is a return: the climb alone is not sold. ## Qué llevar - A warm layer, in summer too - A card or holiday vouchers: cash is not accepted - An online ticket in July and August ## Consejos ### Take the first train of the day In July and August it leaves between 8:20 and 8:50 depending on the week. By mid-morning queues form. ### Choose the 11:30 or 12:10 train They give about two and a half hours free at the top, with time for lunch on the summit. ### Combine it with Sare or Ascain The col is ten minutes by car from both villages: eat there on the way down. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How much does the La Rhune train cost? In 2026, €26 return for an adult and €18 for children aged 4 to 12. Under-4s go free, with a €0 ticket. ### Do you have to book? It is not compulsory, but in summer it is worth buying online to secure your time. ### Can you go up with a dog? Yes, with its own €6.50 ticket. ### When does it run? Every day from late March to early November. In winter it does not run; it returns in March 2027.