Several interests lead to different discoveries in Lohitzun-Oyhercq: the GR65 Way of St. James, a church portal dating from the late 13th century, farm visits and hiking trails. When planning your stay, you can therefore choose a focus first: the pilgrimage route, architectural history, cheese and farming, or recreational hiking. Each option calls for different planning—from a longer route to a visit that is possible only by appointment.
The Way of St. James through Lohitzun-Oyhercq
The Way of St. James (GR65), known as the “voie du Puy,” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Aroue–Ostabat section passes through Lohitzun-Oyhercq and is 23.7 kilometres long. The route crosses the rolling hills of the Basque Country and approaches pastoral and wooded mountain areas. This makes the transition between the hill country and access to these mountain landscapes a focus alongside the pilgrimage route itself.
The 23.7 kilometres refer to the entire Aroue–Ostabat section. Signposting and practical conditions may change, so check both before setting out. The GR65 provides a clearly defined route for planning, while the local hiking trails offer other ways to get outdoors.
Church portal and architectural history
The Romanesque church in Lohitzun has a portal dating from the late 13th century, with three pointed-arch archivolts. Archivolts are moulded bands that frame an archway. For those interested in architectural history as well as the pilgrimage route, the church offers a specific detail to explore: the portal’s date and its three-part design give the building a distinctive architectural feature.
Farms, cheese and ways to visit
At Ferme Itzalea, AOP Ossau-Iraty cheese made from raw milk and other specialities are produced and sold directly. Free farm tours are also available. A self-guided walk takes you from the sheepfold to the pig enclosures. Products and visiting arrangements may change; check the details before your visit.
Ferme Irrika is a family-run farm in Lohitzun that keeps Jersey cattle. The farm offers tours with cheese tasting. Unlike a self-guided walk, visits here are available only as guided tours and by appointment. If you want to include farming and cheese in your stay, this distinction is important when planning.
Hiking and planning your stay
The Boucle Mugaretta is a hiking loop on natural terrain in the commune of Lohitzun-Oyhercq. It is intended for individual or family recreational use. The Mugarreta route offers panoramic views south towards the Pyrenees.
The 23.7-kilometre Aroue–Ostabat section, the appointment-only farm visit at Irrika and the recreational use of the Boucle Mugaretta raise different planning considerations. If church architecture or farm products are your main interests, these discoveries offer a different focus. You can choose accommodation options to suit your own itinerary rather than assuming there is one standard programme.
Discover more destinations: Urdos, Crouseilles, Salies De Bearn, Lucq-De-Béarn, Monein, Urcuit, Bayonne, Sauvelade
For the regional travel overview: Pyrenees-Atlantiques.
