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La Rhune rack railway

Route de Saint-Ignace, Ascain, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Description

La Rhune is a mountain culminating at 905m located in the French Basque Country, at the border with Spain, which can be accessed by a rack train or hiking along a trail. The trains consist of a four-wheeled electric locomotive that pushes two coaches up the mountain and leads them down. They leave from the top of Col de Saint Ignace between Ascain and Sare and takes 35mins one-way for a 4.2km journey with a 1h55 interval between the beginning of the ride up and the ride down leaving customers with about 1h20mins at the top. The mountain is considered sacred in Basque mythology and there are some dolmens and other neolithic monuments on its flanks. It was also a smuggling route for refugees during the Spanish Civil War and WW2.

Access & Transport

There aren't many roads around, so it is quite easy to find the way: aim for Ascain if you are coming from the west or north (Saint Jean de Luz & Biarritz) and then continue on the D4 towards Sare until you reach the top of the short climb to the Col of Saint Ignace.

Instructions & Recommendations

This review is for the train ride but hiking up and down is also a good option, make sure you have proper footwear with you. Trains frequency is every 40mins or so and we strongly suggest booking ahead of time in July / August. Please check the latest schedule here and note the extended hours in the summer months: https://www.rhune.com/en/opening-hours/

Meta review

This is a very popular activity and visitors lucky enough to ascend the mountain on a clear day rave about the 360 degrees views over the Spanish and French countryside, all the way to the ocean. The train ride itself is a bit long but pleasant with some sheep, horses and plenty of birds along the way. The main complaints relate to the difficulty in getting tickets during the peak period (mid-July to end Aug.) and lack of parking space then, the ticket price, and the regular lack of views because of fog / clouds.

Environmental & Social

The train is electrically powered. Good for the local community as it provides economic activity that benefits the local villages.

Conclusion

La Rhune makes for a nice hike or fun train ride but the price and limited capacity during the summer months can easily turn it into an irritating experience so our advice would be to hike up and down in July & August if your fitness allows (~2h up) - the views from the top are some of the best in the region.

Key positive

Fantastic panoramic views in fair weather

Close to the ocean

Key negative

Expensive tickets and limited capacity

Long lines both ways in peak season

Suitability

Suitable for all ages It is possible but not easy for people with reduced mobility to get on the train - there are 2 steps and wheelchair need to be folded (seating is on a wooden bench) but the staff will help.

About this Rating

TYPE

Onsite

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
First ride is 9h30 except in July & Aug (08h50). Last ride leaves from the top at 18h10

av. transport time:0h 45m

est. visit time:3h

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Mar, 30

Season 1

MONDAY09:15 - 18:50

TUESDAY09:15 - 18:50

WEDNESDAY09:15 - 18:50

THURSDAY09:15 - 18:50

FRIDAY09:15 - 18:50

SATURDAY09:15 - 18:50

SUNDAY09:15 - 18:50

Start of Season 2:Nov, 04

Season 2

MONDAY -

TUESDAY -

WEDNESDAY -

THURSDAY -

FRIDAY -

SATURDAY -

SUNDAY -

Pricing
Famil
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€24
Adult
13 - 64
€24
Child
4 - 12
€16
Infant
0 - 3
€0
There are one-way tickets also available that are slightly cheaper
Family price
Family price not applicable in Jul & Aug.

Max total number:4

Max number of adults:2

Min.child age:4

Max.child age:12

Price for family€76

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