GR 11: Higer-Urkiaga

The Navarre Federation of Mountain and Climbing Sports (FNDME) has designed the most suitable route for the Navarrese section of the GR® 11, taking into account the current state of the territory and incorporating new footpath sections to avoid tracks where possible.

The GR® 12 'Sendero de Euskal Herria' and the various cross-border and trans-Pyrenean links known as GR®T, which connect the GR® 10 and GR® 11 at over sixty points from west to east, were also taken into account.

The Navarrese territory covers routes GR®T 3 through GR®T 13.

This GR® route ends all its stages in inhabited places and aims to enable circular walks with both the GR® 12 and the GR®Ts.

The result is the Irati Trekking route, bounded to the north by the GR® 10 between Donibane-Garazi/Saint Jean de Pied de Port and Chalets d'Iraty, to the south by the GR® 11 between Auritz/Burguete and Otsagabia/Ochagavía, and from west to east by GR®T 7, 8, 9 and 10, offering great versatility across this remarkable landscape.

Also in Baztan-Bidasoa, the E.GR® 11–GR® 12 (Bidasoa Trekking) and the GR®T 5 (Kulunka Bidea) connect the French GR® 10 with the GR® 11 and GR® 12, forming a network of around 200 km with multiple start and finish options over one or several days.

Decades of volunteer effort have made this unique route possible. Distances were calculated using GPS and profiles refined with digital elevation models. Times follow the MIDE method, the official method of both FEDME and FNDME, and are intended as guidance for hikers with a day pack. Contact gr11@mendinavarra.com to report issues or join the volunteer group.