Pic d'Orhy Mountain

Pic d’Orhy is a 2,017-metre peak in the western Pyrenees on the France-Spain border, located in the French Basque Country within Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It is widely recognised as the highest summit of the French Basque area.

The mountain is popular for day hikes and scrambles on well-marked trails from nearby trailheads at Urepel and Larrau. Routes typically gain substantial elevation over short distances and include steep grassy and rocky sections near the summit; on clear days the summit offers wide views across the western Pyrenees.

The peak is a natural feature rather than a built site; it has long been used for pastoral grazing and local mountain travel. Modern recreational use increased with the development of marked hiking routes in the 20th century.

Geographically it sits on a limestone massif on the border between France and Spain in the western Pyrenees, rising above surrounding valleys and small mountain villages.

• Access: Sits on the France-Spain border in the western Pyrenees and is commonly reached from the villages of Urepel and Larrau.
• Elevation: Summit elevation 2,017 metres, making it the highest peak of the French Basque Country.

Approaches differ by side: from the French side use roads toward Sainte-Engrâce and then walk from hamlets like Larrau; from Spain, access via roads in Navarre leading to the trailheads. Local trail maps and a regional hiking guide are recommended.

• If aiming for the summit, plan for a full-day hike with alpine equipment and local route knowledge-trail signage can be sparse.
• Start early to avoid afternoon storms that rise quickly in the Pyrenees.
• Bring layers; weather changes fast and the summit sits at just over 2,000 metres.