There’s lovely waterfront running in Biarritz, the elegant seaside town on southwestern France’s Basque coast. Biarritz is known for its wide surfing beaches, the rocky outcrop of the Rocher de la Vierge. One can stitch together a scenic 10 km out and back route, combining dedicated waterfront promenade paths and seaside roads, with great views of the Bay of Biscay.
Grand Plage. Creative Commons 3.0
The northern end of the route starts with a 1 km jaunt out to the circa 1834 Lighthouse (Phare de Biarritz), which is set on a rocky cliff. Don’t miss the solar clock! Then, head south on the main road, to then join the All. Winston Churchill seafront promenade, which runs along the Grand Plage (Plage=Beach) for 1 km. This is a popular beach, known for its surfing (also runnable!). At the end of the beach, take a jaunt down to the Rocher du Basta for a nice view, and then follow the main road then the Passerelle Eiffel & footbridge out to the iconic Rocher de la Vierge, the landmark rock formation in the Bay of Biscay with dramatic views & a Virgin Mary statue on top. The final 1 km is on a path running alongside the Cote des Basques Beach.
Add-Ons: If you’re into beach running and the conditions are right, you can continue south on a series of beaches for a 4-5 km (a couple of short road sections required). Or, just north of the Phare de Biarritz, the Anglet seafront promenade runs for 3 km to the mouth of the Adour River.
There’s lovely waterfront running in Biarritz, the elegant seaside town on southwestern France’s Basque coast. Biarritz is known for its wide surfing beaches, the rocky outcrop of the Rocher de la Vierge. One can stitch together a scenic 10 km out and back route, combining dedicated waterfront promenade paths and seaside roads, with great views of the Bay of Biscay.
Grand Plage. Creative Commons 3.0
The northern end of the route starts with a 1 km jaunt out to the circa 1834 Lighthouse (Phare de Biarritz), which is set on a rocky cliff. Don’t miss the solar clock! Then, head south on the main road, to then join the All. Winston Churchill seafront promenade, which runs along the Grand Plage (Plage=Beach) for 1 km. This is a popular beach, known for its surfing (also runnable!). At the end of the beach, take a jaunt down to the Rocher du Basta for a nice view, and then follow the main road then the Passerelle Eiffel & footbridge out to the iconic Rocher de la Vierge, the landmark rock formation in the Bay of Biscay with dramatic views & a Virgin Mary statue on top. The final 1 km is on a path running alongside the Cote des Basques Beach.
Add-Ons: If you’re into beach running and the conditions are right, you can continue south on a series of beaches for a 4-5 km (a couple of short road sections required). Or, just north of the Phare de Biarritz, the Anglet seafront promenade runs for 3 km to the mouth of the Adour River.
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Essentials
Up to 5.2 km (3.2 miles) one-way
Fairly hilly - 70m (230 feet), one-way north to south
Center of Biarritz, or at northern end near the Lighthouse
A nice running tour of Bayonne, the Basque town where the Nive and Adour rivers meet. The 7 km route features riverfront paths, bridges, and some of Bayonne's key sites.
The 4.5 km seafront promenade in Anglet, located just north of Biarritz, is a festive scene, with water views, surfing schools, and restaurants. Add the 2.5 km cliff walk for a climb and some great views. Beach is runnable.
A wonderful option for a hot summer day! Explore the many km of pine forest trails in the Forêt du Pignada/Chiberta/ Lazaret, located just inland from the beach. There are 5.5 km of easy, wide Vois Vertes trails, plus trail running on the 'Parcours Sportifs'.
This nearly 10k run in Saint-Jean-de-Luz is among the more scenic of our Basque coastal routes. Enjoy a tour of the harbour, path along the River Nivelle, seafront promenade, and a jaunt out to the La Colline Sainte-Barbe, a particularly scenic spot.
A scenic run in the pretty coastal town of Ciboure, including a jaunt out to the historic Fort de Socoa, paths along the Unctxin River, and the seafront promenade toward the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
An attractive run in Hendaye, the French basque coastal town right on the border with Spain. The full 10 km route includes a tour of the marina, paths along the Bidaosa River, and a promenade along Plage d'Hendaye (beach). The beach is also great for running.
Several wonderful routes including an Old Town 'runseeing' tour, La Concha Promenade, Urumea River, Antiguo area parks, and Monte Igueldo if you want to get the heart rate up!
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Essentials
Up to 5.2 km (3.2 miles) one-way
Fairly hilly - 70m (230 feet), one-way north to south
Center of Biarritz, or at northern end near the Lighthouse
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!