Biriatou offers two special starting points for planning a trip: hiking trails with specific landmarks on Xoldo, and history associated with the Église Saint-Martin and the Redoute Louis XIV. Pelota is another attraction, with summer competitions differing from the year-round playing opportunities available to participants.

Hiking on Xoldo and the GR10

The GR10 begins in the foothills of Biriatou. For a single hike, the route up Xoldo is more precisely described: it takes about three hours, is 8.4 kilometers long, has an elevation gain of 550 meters, and is of moderate difficulty. These details help you factor the hike’s duration and difficulty into your day’s plans. As route specifications may be updated, it is best to check them again before setting out.

On the way to the summit, the Xoldo route passes the Rocher des Perdrix viewpoint and an orientation table. The ascent offers views from the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Biarritz; on a clear day, the view extends as far as the beaches of the Landes. This means the route can be assessed not only by its distance and elevation gain: the views and landmarks are also among its specific features.

Another sequence of trails describes the hiking route from Hendaye to Olhette. It reaches Biriatou, then continues via the Rocher des Perdrix and the summit of Xoldoko Gaina to the Col des Poiriers. While the Xoldo hike is described by its duration, length, and elevation gain, this route is presented in terms of the sequence of named places. The two descriptions therefore answer different questions when choosing a trail.

Trails along the river and through the forests

Numerous trails along the river and through the surrounding forests make it easier to explore nature in an ecologically preserved setting. This means the hiking options are not limited to the details of the Xoldo route: the river and forest also shape the ways to enjoy the outdoors described here. When choosing a hike, you can decide whether to focus on the specific details and viewpoints on Xoldo or on trails through the surrounding landscape.

Church and border history

The Église Saint-Martin de Biriatou is documented as far back as 1305. The rectangular building is surrounded by its cemetery. Its architectural features include a western bell-tower porch and a second porch on the north side, where the former parish house is located. The church’s age, shape, and structural details describe different aspects: its historical record goes back a long way, while its rectangular shape and porches are specific architectural features.

The Redoute Louis XIV was used during the Franco-Spanish War of 1793 to 1795. It stands on a ridge belonging to Urrugne and Biriatou; part of it lies within the municipality of Urrugne. The redoubt also commemorates Marshal Soult’s defense of the French-Spanish border against the British army in 1813. The years 1793 to 1795 and 1813 thus represent two distinct historical connections: its use during the war and the later commemoration of the border defense.

Pelota: competitions and places to play

Biriatou’s fronton is a venue for bare-handed pelota competitions, particularly in summer. By contrast, the wall-fronton at the “Xoldo” building is open year-round to participants in the game. This distinction is important for planning: the competitions are associated mainly with summer, while the fronton’s stated availability to participants extends throughout the year. A visit centered on pelota can therefore be planned around either the seasonal competitions or the year-round opportunity to play.

Discover more destinations: Boucau, Arnéguy, Lagor, Laàs, Ustaritz, Espelette, Buros, Licq-Athérey.

For the broader travel overview: Pyrenees-Atlantiques.