Sentier du Littoral closed after Guethary

[tjz]

I'm not sure this has been mentioned yet, but in mid-March 2022 (2 weeks ago), we found the Sentier du Littoral along the way from Guethary to Hendaye closed for quite a few kilometers due to trail damage and risk to the trail crumbling. They have erected dozens of impassable barriers across the trail, forcing you to climb the guardrail into the highway traffic for a few feet and then hop back on the trail. Overall it was a big hassle and detracted considerably from enjoying this really gorgeous walk along the coast. Based on our experience, on an admittedly dry but blustery day, the risk was really overblown and a warning sign or two in the worst sections would have been more than sufficient to leave the trail open. Your comfort with the risk and hassle will vary, of course.

Buen Camino!

Tom

 

[Vacajoe]

We found that most of that trail that was blocked off was also very safe and accessible in Fall 2021. Definitely overzealous on the barricades!!! We also stayed off the highway by routinely climbing around them since the pathway was definitely safer than sharing the roadway with traffic.

 

[StumpyDave]

I don't suppose there is an estimate on when it will reopen is there? Or might there be a website where the repair process can be tracked? I'd like to walk from Bayonne to Irun to start my Camino del Norte (beginning July 3rd this year), but might skip this portion if it's still closed and a hassle to navigate. Thoughts and opinions welcome

 

[tjz]

If my memory serves, it's about a 6km segment from Saint Jean-de-Luz to Camping Village Eskualduna on the "Route de la Cornische". On balance, I'm really glad we started in Bayonne as the rest of the walk was fabulous. There is a more "rural-ish looking" road a little bit inland you might be able to take from SJdL that might serve you better than the hassle on the D912. We didn't know about the closure though, so once committed we just hopped the barriers and got by.

 

[Vacajoe]

We walked from the Bayonne airport to Bilbao in fall 2021, dealing with that “closed” area. If I had to do it again?, I’D DO IT AGAIN!!! . Really just an annoyance rather than true trouble. Off-season traffic on the roadway was sparse and it was fun doing a steeplechase course with a backpack on.

 

[StumpyDave]

MmmKay! It looks like I'll be on a barrier-hopping adventure in July. Traffic will be much higher in beach season; I'll have to be more careful. Thanks to you both for the help!

 

[Mandy84]

Hallo, kann mir vielleicht jemand sagen, wo genau in Biarritz der Weg beginnt? Oder einfach nur Ausschau nach Schildern halten welche nach SJdL führen?Oder gibt es eine andere Markierung? Danke

 

[Lopez]

Hi pilgrims! Anyone know the current status of this path? Walking el Norte in a few weeks time, was planning on walking straight from Biarritz airport to Irún...