A weathered metal shed, reminiscent of HRP shelters part 1, stands on grassy terrain with hills in the background under a clear blue sky. The shed appears old and worn, its paint faded and peeling.

Guide to HRP Huts, Shelters, and Lodging (Part 1: Hendaye to Lescun)

ByMac Hours Comments Reading Time: 13 minutes

One of the things I found most frustrating when planning my Pyrenees High Route (HRP) hike was the lack of readily accessible information regarding the lodging options available along the route. This primarily applied to the huts and shelters along the route in the backcountry, but it also extended to the hotels, hostels, and refugios located in towns along the way.

I’ll publish a separate town guide (to the best of my ability), so I won’t go into detail here regarding food and resupply options. Instead, I’ll try to keep this guide focused on places where you can take shelter from the elements during your hike (and what service, if any, each of these places provides).

As HRP hikers quickly realize, not all shelters are created equally, and just because the map tells you there’s a shelter ahead, it may not necessarily be a shelter that you’ll want to stay in (e.g., it might have a floor covered in animal poop) or it may not be a shelter that’s safely habitable (e.g., the roof may be caving in).

The first part of this comprehensive HRP hut, shelter, and lodging guide will cover those found between the western terminus in Handaye, France, and eastward to Lescun, France.

A metal mountain shelter with a slanted roof stands on grassy terrain below a clear blue sky. Text on the image reads: hrp shelters part 1, Refugios, & Huts: Hendaye to Lescun.

Notes on the Guide

  • I list the shelters here from west to east, beginning at the Atlantic Ocean in Hendaye, France, and ending at the Mediterranean Sea in Banyuls-sur-Mer, France.
  • The mile markers assigned to each shelter are based on my own HRP hike’s GPS track, and the distances may vary slightly (or wildly) depending on which alternate routes, spur trails, or detours you take on your hike.
  • Based on information I’ve heard from others, there’s a chance shelters will be either closed or open, depending on the time of year. You should not count on unstaffed shelters being available at all times, as they may be locked and/or in use depending on the time of year (some are private and/or reserved for shepherds). Alternatively, just because a shelter was locked or closed for me, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be when you pass by.
  • I hiked the HRP from September 13 to October 13.
  • “Guarded” refugios are the ones that have staff, meals, bunks, and toilets.
  • Outside of the staffed season, these refugios will all have a small sheltered area available for use. This is oftentimes known as the winter shelter.
  • It is wise to carry cash with you in the Pyrenees, as not all the refugios will accept credit cards.
  • I didn’t stay at all the accommodations listed below, but I’ve made note of the ones I did stay (or eat) at. All photos (except those noted as from Google Street View) are from my thru-hike.

Camping Alturan

  • Mile: 0
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: Developed campground in a city
  • Location: 43.37299, -1.76264 in Hendaye, France
  • Elevation: Sea level
  • Evaluation: N/A
  • Cost: €40 for up to two people
  • Phone: +33 559 200 455
  • Website: Camping Alturan
  • Open: June 30 to September 30
  • Reception Hours: 9:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 20:00
  • Notes: I didn’t stay here or go past this place in town, but according to the website, it appears to be a viable camping option for those seeking a budget-friendly spot to stay in town and get an early start the next day.
A white one-story building with a red-tiled roof, labeled “Reception,” is surrounded by trees and shrubs. A stone pathway leads to the entrance of this hrp shelters part 1 facility, with outdoor chairs visible on the left side of the image.
Camping reception via Google Street View

Pilotalekugaña/La Rhune Shelter

  • Mile: 13.75 (22.13 km)
  • Rating: ⭐
  • Description: Basic stone shelter
  • Location: 43.30688, -1.63014
  • Elevation: 2,800 ft / 853 m
  • Evaluation: A pretty crappy stone structure with a damp, muddy floor filled with animal poop – would not stay.
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: I did not find a name for this shelter, but it’s located next to the peak Pilotalekugaña, just next to La Rhune. It’s at the top of a big climb.
A small, rectangular stone building stands on a grassy, rocky hillside under a clear blue sky, serving as one of the HRP Huts with a large rock formation visible to the right.
The outside
Interior of a ruined stone building with broken walls, a dirt floor covered in mud and rocks, and sunlight streaming through gaps in the walls. The abandoned structure resembles old HRP shelters, weathered by time.
The inside

Kondendiagako Lepoa

  • Mile: 13.75 (22.13 km)
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
  • Description: Basic wooden shelter
  • Location: 43.29407, -1.62778
  • Elevation: 1,041 ft / 317 m
  • Evaluation: A nice-looking shelter with a covered outdoor area
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: I didn’t go into this shelter because I was rushing to get to the next town before the restaurant closed (it was closed despite Google Maps saying it would be open), but it looked nice. Not 100% sure if it was unlocked, but the covered outdoor space would have been a good spot to sleep regardless.
A rustic wooden barn with a red fence and pink window shutters resembles the charm of HRP huts. In front, a green informational sign displays icons for cows, cleaning, and visitors. Trees and greenery surround the structure.

Lizuniaga

  • Mile: 16.2 (26.1 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: Restaurant and hotel
  • Location: 43.28258, -1.63218
  • Elevation: 737 ft / 225 m
  • Evaluation: I didn’t stay here, and it looked closed when I passed (after sunset). There’s no English language website, and booking is available via Booking.com
  • Phone: +34 948 63 10 31
  • Website: https://lizuniaga.site/
  • Cost: Starting at €84
  • Notes: They also have a restaurant that’s open Friday (11-15:00), Saturday (9-18:00), and Sunday (9-17:00). There’s also a vending machine outside that only accepts coins (so bring some coins if you want a soda when you pass).
  • Book Here
A large, white three-story building with balconies and a sloped roof sits on a grassy lawn, reminiscent of classic hrp shelters part 1. A staircase leads to the entrance, with “Hotel” and “Ristorante” signs. Trees and hills are visible in the background.
Linzunlaga, as seen from the street

Maison Hordago Bar Restaurant et Chambres d’hôtes

  • Mile: 19.45 (31.3 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: Restaurant and hotel in Sare, France
  • Location: 43.26099, -1.61939
  • Elevation: 1,439 ft / 439 m
  • Evaluation: Looks nice – I would have stayed if the reception was still open when I passed.
  • Phone: +33 7 86 69 41 14
  • Website: https://www.chambresdhotes-hordago.com/
  • Cost: €85
  • Notes: I passed this place after dark, and it appeared to be all closed up for the evening. If you want to stay here, I suggest calling or arriving early. There are public bathrooms and a parking area (which had van lifers) just south of the hotel.
  • Book Here
A white restaurant building labeled “Restaurant Bar Venta-Lizaieta” with outdoor seating under a canopy, surrounded by trees and a parked white van on a sunny day—ideal for travelers seeking HRP lodging.
Image from Google Street View

Cabane d’Usategieta

  • Mile: 20 (32 km)
  • Rating: ⭐⭐
  • Description: Basic stone shelter
  • Location: 43.25580, -1.61493
  • Elevation: 1,535 ft / 468 m
  • Evaluation: Decent shelter – the interior isn’t super nice (no sleeping platform), but it would be welcome in poor weather. There was a counter, some shelves, and three chairs inside when I passed.
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: I got here at night and opted to sleep on the picnic table outside instead of on the floor of the shelter. In the morning, two men (hikers?) came by as I was packing up. It’s not exactly on the trail, but it’s very nearby. There are nice privies located a bit west of here before leaving the road (hit them on your way if you’re hiking eastbound).
A weathered stone and brick building, reminiscent of HRP huts, with a green door sits beside dense foliage. A rusty metal barrel and a blue and white metal railing rest nearby on a gravel path under a clear sky.
The outside of Cabane d’Usategieta features a picnic table.
A weathered stone and brick building, reminiscent of HRP huts, with a green door sits beside dense foliage. A rusty metal barrel and a blue and white metal railing rest nearby on a gravel path under a clear sky.

A short video of the inside of the shelter (at night)

Casa Rural Gontxea

  • Mile: 32.5 (52.3 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: Hotel in Arizkun, Spain
  • Location: 43.17431, -1.48398
  • Elevation: 909 ft / 277 m
  • Evaluation: Looks like a decent hotel. They have an English-language version of their website.
  • Phone: +34 948 453 433
  • Website: https://www.gontxea.com/
  • Cost: €68
  • Notes: I didn’t stay here or pass by to check it out.
  • Book Here
A narrow street in a small town with parked cars, traditional stone buildings, and a church tower with a clock under a clear blue sky. A pine tree stands near the church, reminiscent of the rural charm found near HRP huts in mountain villages.
The streets of Arizkun

Centre Auberge Erreka Gorri

  • Mile: 40.9 (65.8 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: Hostel in Aldudes, France
  • Location: 43.09489, -1.42530
  • Elevation: 1,243 ft / 379 m
  • Evaluation: It’s a hostel, I didn’t stay here or pass by to check it out.
  • Phone: +33 6 72 93 84 57
  • Website: https://sejours.pep64.org/destinations/aldudes/
  • Cost: Unknown
  • Notes: I didn’t stay here, but I did stop at a nearby restaurant to eat and charge my power bank for a bit. The website isn’t great in terms of information.
A street view of white buildings with red shutters and doors in Aldudes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, resembles charming hrp shelters along a quiet road bordered by trees and greenery.
The hostel, according to Google Street View.

Refugio de Trona

  • Mile: 40.9 (65.8 km)
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Description: Nice unstaffed shelter with electricity (no charging, only lights), a table, benches, and windows
  • Location: 43.02616, -1.35251
  • Elevation: 3,970 ft / 1,210 m
  • Evaluation: One of the nicest shelters I stayed at for the entirety of the hike (and the only one I stayed in that had electricity)
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: On maps, this may be listed as “Refugio De Cazadores,” which simply translates to “hunters’ refugio.” There is plenty of space outside for camping as well. This shelter is not on the trail, and requires a very slight detour; it’s worth it.
A small, simple house—resembling classic HRP shelters—with a metal roof, chimney, and green door stands on a grassy patch, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.
Refugio de Trona exterior
A rustic wooden cabin interior, inspired by HRP shelters, features a long table draped in a red-and-white checkered tablecloth, benches, a central fireplace, a stove, and kitchen items lining the walls.
Refugio de Trona interior

Izandorre

  • Mile: 46 (74 km)
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
  • Description: Nice, small, unstaffed shelter
  • Location: 43.03731, -1.28862
  • Elevation: 4,312 ft / 1,314 m
  • Evaluation: Nice shelter with elevated platforms and a window
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: This shelter is located on a section of the trail that overlaps with the Camino Francês (French Way) of the Camino de Santiago. There is a high likelihood that this shelter will be very crowded, regardless of the season. For this reason, I would not recommend staying here.
A small stone building with a red-tiled roof, reminiscent of classic HRP shelters, stands alone on grassy terrain under a clear blue sky; hills rise in the background and a hiker walks on a dirt path nearby.
Izandorre exterior
A person wearing hiking gear stands inside one of the HRP shelters, its stone walls covered in graffiti. They examine something in their hands as sunlight streams through a small window onto the informational boards and signs.
Izandorre interior

Azpegiko Aterpea / Refugio de Azpegui

  • Mile: 49.8 (80.15 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: An unstaffed, road-accessible, nicely built shelter
  • Location: 43.03204, -1.22786
  • Elevation: 3,203 ft / 976 m
  • Evaluation: Nice-looking shelter
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: This shelter is located 0.3 mi / 500 m south of the HRP. It’s road-accessible, which means your chances of having company are higher. I didn’t visit this shelter, but the reviews on Google Maps lead me to believe it is open.
A small white house with a tiled roof sits by a hill, with a blue van and yellow car parked in front. Nearby, hrp shelters stand beside a small shed, surrounded by trees and grass.
Google Street View of Refugio de Azpegui

Cabane d’Orgambide / Organbideko Etxola

  • Mile: 51.1 (82.2 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: A metal, road-accessible shelter
  • Location: 43.04990, -1.21135
  • Elevation: 3,242 ft / 988 m
  • Evaluation: Nice-looking shelter, but it was locked when I passed on September 15
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: It’s a nice-looking shelter, but since it was locked, I’m not sure it can be relied upon. I’m not sure if it was locked due to the time of year or if I was just unlucky on the day I passed it. I found a photo of the interior here.
A small, green, corrugated metal shed, resembling hrp shelters, sits in a grassy, hilly landscape under a clear blue sky, surrounded by low bushes and sparse vegetation.
The shelter from the road
A close-up of a green, corrugated metal shed resembling HRP shelters, with a padlocked door, set on grassy terrain under a clear blue sky. Some rocks are scattered near the shed’s entrance.
A lock on the door

Errozate Cabin

  • Mile: 54.3 (87.4 km)
  • Rating: ⭐
  • Description: A crappy, mud-filled cinderblock shelter
  • Location: 43.03738, -1.17313
  • Elevation: 3,465 ft / 1,056 m
  • Evaluation: It looks a lot nicer from the road above than it is inside. If the weather was raging, this might be a welcome reprieve, but I wouldn’t want to have to sleep in here.
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: Next to a road.
A winding road curves through green hills under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Beside the road, a small hrp shelter with a metal roof sits among rolling grassy slopes and distant mountains.
Errozate Cabin from the road
A doorway in a rough stone building, typical of old HRP shelters, leads to a dark, empty room with an ash-covered floor and scattered debris; a wooden door is partially visible at the back.
Errozate Cabin interior

Chalet Pedro

  • Mile: 61.5 (99 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: A restaurant with a few lodging options
  • Location: 43.03699, -1.07554
  • Elevation: 3,269 ft / 996 m
  • Evaluation: It appears this place is primarily suited for larger groups rather than solo travelers, but the website offers a variety of accommodation options. Perhaps worth checking out if you’re looking for somewhere nicer to stay. They may require a two-night minimum stay.
  • Phone: +33 5 59 28 55 98
  • Website: https://www.chaletpedro.com/
  • Cost: Unknown
  • Notes: I didn’t eat or stay here, but according to their website, they’re open year-round.
A wooden entrance sign with a board showing a menu, a large stone engraved with text, and a sign reading OUVERT mark the spot, evoking the welcoming charm of hrp shelters. Several parked cars and a grassy area with trees are visible in the background.
HRP Tip: “Ouvert” means “Open” in French.

Refuge Aterbea

  • Mile: 61.9 (99.6 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: A building with a spigot, bathrooms, and showers
  • Location: 43.04156, -1.07471 
  • Elevation: 3,734 ft / 1,138 m
  • Evaluation: These are nice toilets and showers in what I believe used to be a basic refugio. There’s nowhere to sleep as the larger part of the building is inaccessible (from what I saw), but it could provide shelter in a storm.
  • Cost: Free camping across the street
  • Notes: Next to a road. Across the street, there is an area where you can camp for free (provided you don’t have a vehicle) between 6:00 PM and 9:00 AM.
A modern industrial building with an HRP Shelters gray metal roof, two large garage doors, and a smaller entrance door on the right. Surrounded by gravel and hills with trees in the background.
Refuge Aterbea Street View
A public restroom in hrp shelters with tiled walls, several open white stall doors, a trash bin, and a sink on the right. A broom leans against the wall beneath hooks as sunlight filters through a wood-paneled ceiling.
Reguge Aterbea bathroom

Les Chalets d’Iraty

  • Mile: 65.1 (104.8 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: Accommodation with campsites, hotel rooms, and chalets
  • Location: 43.03669, -1.03489
  • Elevation: 4,341 ft / 1,323 m
  • Evaluation: N/A
  • Phone: +33 5 59 28 51 29
  • Website: https://chalets-iraty.com/
  • Cost: Camping from €3.50
  • Notes: It appears that rooms and chalets must be booked on a weekly basis (although I’m unsure). There’s also a small store here where you can get some resupply, also located on the GR10.
A rural roadside area with a parking lot, several parked vehicles, a long building resembling HRP shelters, scattered houses, and dense green forest covering the hillside in the background under a clear blue sky.
Approaching Les Chalets d’Iraty
Map and informational sign for chalets dIraty in the Basque mountains, showing trails, HRP shelters, facilities, and services. Includes French text, images, and icons for activities and locations.
A sign at Les Chalets d’Iraty

Unnamed Shelter

  • Mile: 68.9 (110.9 km)
  • Rating: ⭐
  • Description: A crappy shelter
  • Location: 43.00968, -1.02832
  • Elevation: 4,726 ft / 1,440 m
  • Evaluation: A shelter that’s falling apart; I would not recommend staying in it. If you push a bit farther, you get to a better shelter.
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: I couldn’t find a name for this shelter, but it appears on some maps.
A small, weathered wooden shack with a tin roof stands on stilts in a foggy, grassy landscape. Reminiscent of remote hrp shelters, the thick mist shrouds the scene in an isolated and mysterious atmosphere.
Would not recommend

Abri Tharta / Cabane de Zazpigain

  • Mile: 69.6 (111.9 km)
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
  • Description: A metal and wooden shelter with windows.
  • Location: 43.00450, -1.02047
  • Elevation: 4,730 ft / 1,442 m
  • Evaluation: A welcome shelter that’s relatively clean. It has counters, benches (which can be combined to form a sleeping platform), and two rooms.
  • Cost: Free
  • Notes: Upon entering the first door, you find yourself in a small entryway. You then need to open a second door to access the larger part of the shelter. When I stayed here, there were horses outside all night with clanging bells around their necks.
A weathered metal shed, resembling some HRP shelters, stands on grassy terrain near a sloped hillside under a clear sky, with mountains in the background. The ground around the shed is uneven, marked by scattered rocks and exposed soil.
Abri Tharta exterior
A dimly lit, cluttered basement room with wooden benches, a table, chairs, a shovel, and a yellow bag—resembling scenes from hrp shelters. The walls and ceiling are unfinished, and an open door stands at the far end.
Abri Tharta interior (at night)

Refugio de Belagua

  • Mile: 82.5 (132.8 km)
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Description: A staffed refugio with power, charging, beds, camping, and food
  • Location: 42.94511, -0.83468
  • Elevation: 4,676 ft / 1,425 ft
  • Evaluation: Maybe my favorite staffed refugio of the entire trip. Friendly staff, good food, beautiful building, outlets for charging, and flushing toilets.
  • Phone: +34 6 23 10 73 17
  • Website: https://refugiobelagua.es/en/
  • Cost: €16/night or €36 with 1/2 board
  • Notes: Open year-round (except December 24 and 25). They allow you to camp outside (free of charge) in a covered area under the deck if you don’t want a bed (this is what I did, and I found it quite comfortable). It’s also road-accessible.
A modern, triangular-roofed hrp shelter with metal siding sits in a mountainous area, flanked by two parked cars and dramatic mountain views in the background.
Refugio de Belagua exterior
A spacious café interior with a tiled floor, reminiscent of hrp shelters, features a counter at the back, a wood stove on the right, and two people near the counter. Tables and chairs fill the space beneath a large ventilation duct on the ceiling.
Refugio de Belagua interior
A view under a raised wooden deck shows a picnic table, wire cages filled with rocks, and gravel ground—similar to some hrp shelters. The deck is supported by timber posts, with a building and windows visible in the background.
Refugio de Belagua camping area

Hébergement Pic d’Anie

  • Mile: 94.9 mi (152.7 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: A bed and breakfast in the town of Lescun, France
  • Location: 42.93379, -0.63519
  • Elevation: 2,936 ft / 895 m
  • Evaluation: It looks to be a nice bed and breakfast. I didn’t stay here, but it was busy out front when I passed.
  • Phone: +33 5 59 34 71 54
  • Website: https://nouveau.hebergement-picdanie.fr/
  • Cost: Starting at €18/night
  • Notes: You can either stay here for a low rate (starting at €18) or opt for a bed and breakfast option with various meal plans available. The website spells everything out nicely. Also located on the GR10.
A sunlit street in Lescun, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, shows a stone building with blue shutters and outdoor café seating—popular with hikers seeking hrp shelters nearby; Google Street View location details are visible.
Hébergement Pic d’Anie exterior on Google Street View

Camping du Lauzart

  • Mile: 95.6 mi (153.8 km)
  • Rating: N/A
  • Description: A campground located just south of the center of Lescun, France
  • Location: 42.92784, -0.64221
  • Elevation: 2,807 ft / 856 m
  • Evaluation: It appears to be a decent option for the most affordable place to stay in Lescun. It’s a little far from the town, so you won’t want to be walking back and forth, but they (apparently) have snack pizza there, so what more could you ask for? I didn’t stay here.
  • Phone: +33 5 59 34 51 77
  • Website: https://www.camping-gite-lescun-pyrenees.com/
  • Cost: Starting at €11/night
  • Notes: Also located on the GR10.
Sign for “Camping Gîte du Lauzar” with camping rates, services, and contact info in French. Services include snack bar, grocery, activities, and hrp shelters. Green foliage and blue sky are visible around the sign.
A sign outside Camping du Lauzart

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