Leaving the plaza of Ituren head uphill towards the 16th century church to the west of town, walk through the church grounds and down to the hamlet of Aurtitz nestled at the foot of Mt Mendaur. From here you start your spectacular, steep ascent of Mendaur via dramatic stream gullies and old twisted oaks. After 3.5 km the path emerges at the banks of a large reservoir surrounded by grassy banks and a large picnic area making a perfect stopping point after your ascent. Once a year, in June, the villagers from Ituren, Zubieta and Elgorriaga make a pilgrimage up to the chapel of Mendaur and this is the site of a large summer party with Basque music and communal lunches.
From here the ascent to Mendaur heads steeply upward once again past mountain barns (bordas) towards the mountain col of Bustitza and a large stone Menhir, and then up a rocky stairway hewn out of the cliffs to the summit and the chapel of La Trinidad (113m). (In Basque folklore this used to be the site of witches covens). Descend through dramatic beech woods, past mountain barns (bordas), small waterfalls and fast-flowing mountain streams until you gain extensive views of Sunbilla, Santesteban, and Elgorriaga.
As the track swings northwards and views of Ituren come into back into sight you pass an area of megalithic burial mounds (dolmens and stone circles) before descending towards the river along part of the 'Elgorriaga Mushroom Route' (also documented). Make the most of a well-earned beer at the bar or spa baths in Elgorriaga, before heading back to Ituren along the shady banks of the river Ezkurra.