58,27 km cycling route from Urt to Saint-Palais
Elevation of the stage
Waytypes of the stage
Surface of the stage
The route
Leaving Urt, follow the Adour riverbank, then cross typical Aquitaine polders known as barthes. From Guiche, a tributary, the Bidouze, becomes your guide riding towards the Pyrenean foothills. There is a difficult stretch between Bidache and La Bourgade. The surface along the Bidouze towpath is grassy. Across this stage, the shift in altitude totals 225m, but the maximum altitude you reach is just 110m. The slopes are short but steep. Take care crossing the D11 road at the entrance to St-Palais. Signposted EV3.
Surfacing smooth: asphalt.
Surfacing rough: along the Bidouze towpath (Bidache > La Bourgade), with a grassy surface.
Link
There is a stretch in common with the Véloroute du Piémont Pyrénéen (the V81, linking Bayonne - Perpignan) up to the village of Labastide-Villefranche.
Don’t miss
- Urt: a little river fishing port with fish ladder on the Adour; the traditional façade for playing the famed Basque ball game, pelote basque
- Bidache: the Pays de Bidache themed gardens; châteaux de Gramont in Bidache and in Guiche
- Saint-Palais: the Maison des Têtes (a house bearing sculptures of noble heads); the typical streets, notably the rues de la Bidouze and du Palais de Justice; Place du Foirail, an embellished square; the church of St Mary Magdalene and its rare Cavaillé-Coll organ; the oldest, most beautiful pelota court (or trinquet) in the French Basque country and the Pierre Guéraçague pelota wall; lovely façades and gardens beside the Bidouze.
Travellers’ reviews