Your Mountain Leader in the Basque Country
Hi, I’m Charles
State-certified mountain leader (Accompagnateur en Montagne) based in Bidart, near Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Passionate about nature, wide open spaces, and sports, I guide outdoor enthusiasts, families, and mountain lovers through the most beautiful landscapes of the Basque Country of Pyrenean range. I chose to make my passion my profession. My goal is simple: to share the beauty of our mountains while guaranteeing safety, friendliness, and respect for the environment.
More Than Just a Hike: A Shared Experience
A guided outing is not just about reaching a summit. It is an opportunity to slow down, observe local wildlife and flora, discover Basque history and culture, and share a genuine experience outdoor.
Mountain Leader (Accompagnateur en Montagne) is the state diploma covering hiking and trail running in specific mountain environments. Also known as a hiking guide, it is your guarantee of a mountain professional. A guided hike means enjoying the moment and nature, with peace of mind as a bonus. And for professionals, it is the assurance of field-tested expertise and know-how.
Committed to protecting biodiversity in both my personal and professional practice. My respectful approach to natural environments and biodiversity is recognized by the National Resource Center for Outdoor Sports (Pôle ressource national pour les sports de nature).
Mountain Mediator for the Basque mountains on various projects:
- As part of the European POCTEFA La Rhune-E project for awareness and prevention operations in the Natura 2000 preserve of Larrun, in order to protect, enhance, and respect its environmental, landscape, and heritage treasures.
- As well as the Réussir Ma Rando initiative to inform and assist hikers on best practices for safe hiking while respecting the environment and local land uses in the Pyrenees.
Your professional is committed to sustainable practice:
Environment – it is my workplace
Continuous training – because knowledge evolves
Health and prevention – to enjoy our sports for a long time and with pleasure
For everyone – making progress and passing on knowledge regardless of our level, age, or life path
Teaching expertise – for lasting learning outcomes
Access – encouraging eco-friendly transport options to reduce wild parking and sedentary lifestyles
Certifications & Training
State Diploma in Mountaineering – Mountain Leader (Accompagnateur en Moyenne Montagne)
Graduated from the National School for Mountain Sports (ENSM – École Nationale des Sports de Montagne), the only institution authorized to issue the State Diploma for Mountain Leaders. This corresponds to the State Diploma of sports instructor for hiking, trail running, and Nordic walking.
HACCP Method – Professional Food Hygiene
Trained in the HACCP method to provide food during bivouacs as well as day outings, in full compliance with hygiene rules and regulatory obligations.
Mountain Mediator – Basque Country
Trained in mountain mediation by the Basque Mountain Regional Nature Park Project team (Projet Parc Naturel Régional Montagne Basque). Aimed at mitigating conflicts between different mountain users: livestock farmers, foresters, environmentalists, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
Tropical & Equatorial Mountain Specialization
I hold the official specialization endorsement of the Mountain Leader State Diploma: “Tropical and Equatorial Mountain Environment”. This specialization provides advanced expertise in managing physical effort and hiking in extreme heat, with specific skills regarding: hydration, thermal regulation, heat adaptation, rainy seasons, and heavy rainfall.
Protecting the Environments We Explore
Trained in Leave No Trace principles to preserve wild spaces and mountains, which serve as both our recreation areas and our workplace. Your guide is committed to a sustainable approach to protect the natural environment.
Partenaires
CarlitoRando is a partner of the Bidart Tourist Office. Together, we work to promote coastal trails and Bidart, sharing a common passion for preserving and discovering our territory.
In partnership with meteoblue, a weather forecasting service, to best anticipate weather conditions and adapt hikes accordingly. This proactive approach, based on cutting-edge data and accessible visualization tools, allows us as professionals to adapt in real time.
For a mountain professional, the weather is not just information; it is a decisive factor for safety and the successful rollout of outings. Point+ provides access to precise, easily readable data for effective decision-making, ensuring a high-quality experience for customers.
Ramondia is an association of mountain leaders in the Basque Country dedicated to helping you discover natural, cultural, and historical curiosities from the Basque coast to the Pyrenean mountains. We will lead you to the summits with sharing and conviviality as our core values.
In partnership with Yoga Doc Marion. We share a common vision of “health sports,” where hiking and yoga combine to promote physical well-being and mental balance. Together, we believe that movement, practiced with care and expertise, is an essential key to daily self-care.
