Ainhoa (GR 10 Day 2)

July 12, 2023

馃寧 Route Map
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Day 2 comes with views

The day started with a climb to a small Col, where I suddenly heard voices yelling. When I got closer it turned out there was a mountain railroad carrying people up to La Rh没ne, a 900m peak. Since it was cloudy and my left foot still felt sore from the TMB, I elected to not climb La Rh没ne and just make it to Sare as quickly as possible.
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Seeing this railroad kind of diminished my sense of accomplishment after hiking up to get here

At Sare I had a big meal to make up for my hasty dinner last night. I thought Sare was a touristy town but nothing would prepare me for the touristyness in Ainhoa, where I was headed.
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Trying a G芒teau Basque, a custard filled pastry

The path to Ainhoa followed rural roads where little kids rode bikes, then dipped into ravines where streams separated farmers fields.
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Walking towards Ainhoa, La Rh没ne now visible behind me

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Super straight road formed the border between France and Spain

Walking into Ainhoa on the main road felt a bit like disneyland. The houses were painted uniformly and nobody looked local. The lady at the tourism office told me there are no grocery shops or even stores, other than Basque gift shops, in town. I got a quick bite to eat at a restaurant, prepared myself to potentially stealth camp tonight, then left once again for the mountains.
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Ainhoa

The final climb was super hot, and no trees offered me shade. When i made it to the church where I planned to pitch my tent I was relieved to see 4-5 other tents already set up, so apparently camping was allowed here. There was even a trash bin and a drinking water fountain.
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Chappelle Notre Dame de l鈥橝ub茅pine, my campsite

The view of Ainhoa and La Rh没ne was great here, and I could finally see come far I walked today. Sheep鈥檚 bells lulled me to sleep.
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First sunset of the trip! Weather was kind to me today

Ohlette to a bit after Ainhoa - 24.4km and 1091m gained.