Saint-Jean-de-Luz / Hendaye-Plage La Vélodyssée, the Atlantic Cycling Route

Itinerary

⚠️ Due to marine erosion causing collapses, the initial route of La Vélodyssée on the Basque Corniche route was diverted a few years ago. The new route has a certain height difference and a very degraded surface, even damaged in places. The renovation work is underway and should be completed at the end of June 2024.

We do not recommend this section for families and inexperienced cyclists. Cyclists are asked not to take, under any circumstances, the original route which runs along the corniche.

Between St-Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye, the route is shared all the way, sometimes with heavy traffic - as on the way out of St-Jean. It's an easy route, except for the exit from Saint-Jean-de-Luz towards Ciboure (passage on the pavement of a bridge).

The descent into Hendaye takes you right down to the beach and joins a well-surfaced cycle lane which goes past the port and Bay of Chingoudy.  The cycle route, which is planned up to Behobie on the Spanish border, currently stops before the marshalling yard and presents several obstacles: steep stope and stairs. Cycle lanes are currently being constructed.

Connections

Today the international station and Spanish border are only accessible via the N111, which carries very heavy traffic, so it’s not advisable to tackle the route by bike.  If you take the train from the Hendaye-Plage station, this will help you navigate this obstacle.