Montory offers several distinct starting points for planning a trip: the church with its bell tower, hiking trails, a 52-kilometre cycling loop and the climbing routes at Falaise d’Arguibelle. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Montory, you can consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay. The practical considerations differ: for cycling, the length of the loop matters, while individual climbing routes are subject to seasonal restrictions.
Church: bell tower, altarpiece and steles
The church of Montory has a square, five-storey bell tower that is 20 metres high. Its shape, number of storeys and height give the building a distinctive architectural profile. Inside, there is also an 18th-century gilded wooden altarpiece, which is listed as a historic monument.
Disc-shaped steles are another distinctive feature of the church. During its reconstruction, three of them were reused in the church wall. Another is located on the south side, in the bell tower, and another in the wall near the right-hand entrance to the churchyard. These features bring together different aspects: the tower’s exterior architecture, its gilded furnishings, and the steles in and around the walls.
Landscape and protected areas
Montory is part of the Montagnes du Barétous Natura 2000 protected area. The Montagne d’Ahargou et Mont Begousse ZNIEFF area also includes the commune. Falaise d’Arguibelle is a very well-known and heavily frequented climbing site. The nesting areas are closed to the public (as of 12 June 2024). This is important to bear in mind when planning a visit to the crag: the closed areas should be distinguished from the climbing routes.
Hiking and cycling routes
Members of Montory’s municipal cultural group maintain the Tour de Bégousse hiking trail every year. This work includes clearing, cleaning and marking the trail. Check local conditions before setting out. The Sommet d’Erretzü hiking trail is managed by the Communauté des Communes de Soule-Xiberoa. Different aspects of trail maintenance are therefore specified for the two routes: the cultural group’s annual work on one, and the responsible intermunicipal authority for the other.
Route No. 21, “Oloron-Montory, les collines du Pays basque”, is a moderately difficult, 52-kilometre cycling loop with climbs around Montory. Its length and difficulty rating provide two specific points of reference for planning; the climbs are also part of the route profile. Check current road conditions before setting out.
Climbing at Falaise d’Arguibelle
Falaise d’Arguibelle in Montory offers more than 200 climbing routes, graded from 3c to 8c. The maximum height is 95 metres. The range of grades and the height describe different features of the climbing site; individual routes may be subject to seasonal restrictions. Also observe the nesting areas that are closed to the public.
From Montory, you can reach the crag via the D759 towards Haux. Two kilometres from Montory, turn off at a small bridge; from there, it is another two kilometres to the car park. Check road conditions and parking availability before travelling. Together with the route information, these directions help distinguish getting to the crag from choosing climbing routes.
Discover more destinations: Baudreix, Saint-Palais, Bidache, Estialescq, Ousse, Aydie, Issor, Lasse.
For the broader travel guide: Pyrenees-Atlantiques.
