MONSTRE The famous Belharra wave could be triggered on Thursday, announces the Pyrénées-Atlantiques prefecture, which calls on the curious to be very careful
Vague illustration in the Basque Country. — Olivier MORIN
- The Belharra wave is a relatively rare phenomenon, which forms 3 km from the Basque coast, when certain weather conditions are met.
- Originating above a rocky bottom, the wave can reach certain about fifteen or even twenty meters, and is a delight for the most experienced surfers.
- The phenomenon also attracts many curious people on the road to the corniche, but it is weakened and there are serious risk of landslide, warns the prefecture of Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
The famous Belharra wave “could be triggered on Thursday”, announced this Wednesday the prefecture of Pyrenees-Atlantiques. From the top of the cliffs of the Basque Corniche, at the favor of a clear horizon, the point of view is impregnable to observe the phenomenon which only occurs at the end of the day. on rare occasions.
Fearing an influx of onlookers, the prefect “calls for the greatest vigilance with regard to the risks generated by the observation of this wave.” The prefecture reminds those who would like to observe this phenomenon up close along the Basque coast, that the Corniche road, between Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye, “is particularly ;very sensitive to erosion, with real risks of collapse.
A wave that can reach fifteen or even twenty meters
The Corniche trail is also closed. to traffic by stop prefectural since November 2021. “The risks of collapse are significant, as evidenced by a rockslide at where the wave was observed on October 29, 2020. Anyone who breaks this ban therefore runs a significant risk to their safety.” This is why it is also forbidden to park along the Corniche road.
The giant wave Belharra, which can reach fifteen or even twenty meters, forms to 3 km off the Basque corniche at; Urrugne, above an underwater relief, a rocky bottom located to about twelve to one fifteen meters deep, the Belharra Perdun (green grass in Basque).
But certain weather conditions must also be met for it to come to life . This is what makes it rare, and what arouses curiosity. The most seasoned surfers, who can only grasp it with a particular technique, are waiting on their side. his arrival impatiently. This giant wave was first surfed twenty years ago.