Ascain

Ascain is a charming town nestled amongst fields of sheep and cattle. On the outskirts of Ascain, at the Col de St. Ignace, a number of parked cars will draw your attention to a little rack railway that climbs 905 meters up to the highest peak in Pays Basque, La Rhune, on the Spanish border. From La Rhune you enjoy spectacular vistas looking over the Pyrenees and to the distant coastline. The train trip takes approximately 30 minutes and at the top there are a few souvenir shops and places to eat. You can return to the bottom on foot, if you prefer. (Mid-Mar to Nov 02, first departure 9:30 am, tel: 05.59.54.20.26, fax: 05.59.47.50.76, www.rhune.com.)