Walking Basque Country Secrets

Walking Basque Country Secrets

Walking Basque Country Secrets. The ultimate Basque experience, this trip is a whirlwind tour of some sites you never knew existed and some that are world renown.

From mountains to the coast and back again, our guides ensure a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with history, mythology, gastronomy and of course hiking, in stunning and varied landscapes.

Along ancient routes, in a gorgeous landscape of sea, coast and mountains  we immerse you in the culture, history and mythology of this great region. The magnificently untouched areas of natural beauty that make this a destination to remember.

Walking Basque Country Secrets offers more possibilities than you can imagine. Impressive mountains, coastal scenery, natural parks.  Culture, history and fabulous gastronomy experiences. In one day you can trek the mountains, feel the sand between your toes and attend different events.  Later dine in Michelin Star restaurants and relax in charming hotels.

San Sebastian
Walking Basque Country Secrets begins in San Sebastian. This is a stylish city located on the Basque Coast of northern Spain just 20km from the French border. The city spreads around the famous La Concha beach. There are also also two other beaches, Playa de Ondarreta to the west and Playa de la Zurriola to the east. This latter is famous for its surf. Inland are the beautiful green mountain landscapes of Guipúzcoa.

San Sebastian it is renowned for its Basque Cuisine. Here you will find a wide variety of pintos – Basque tapas.  San Sebastian has the most Michelin starts per square feet in the world.

Season Year round.
Duration 7 days / 6 nights
Accommodation 3 & 4* hotels Excellent quality rural hotels & guesthouses.
Levels Of Difficulty Moderately easy.
Fitness High standard of fitness is not necessary but clients should be able to cycle for up 4 to 5 hours a day also in hot and dry conditions depending on the season.
Tour TypeGuided Walking Holiday
Arrival The tour starts in San Sebastian. Fly to Bilbao airport from Dublin. Private transfer to San Sebastian

DAY 1
ARRIVAL TO SAN SEBASTIAN: CITY TOUR & PINTXO TOUR
Today your private transfer will bring you from the airport to the city of San Sebastian.
After your check in our guides will take you to the most essential parts of San Sebastian, introducing you to the cities best kept secrets as they make you go back in time with unusual anecdotes.
Walk through its old town, see its museums and cathedral in the city centre or drive up to Monte Igueldo, to get the most beautiful views of San Sebastian. Followed by a short stop in the “Peine de los Vientos”, sculpture by the Basque artist Eduardo Chillida, one of the most symbolic places of the city.
After we have seen the highlights of the city it is time to indulge in the finest pintos San Sebastian has to offer while traversing the vibrant quarters of the Old Town with our expert guide.

DAY 2 – URDABAI
URDABAI
Atxarre, a beautiful and natural balcony where you can see the calming river. To get here we will start from Laida. Starting in a small trail that will lead us to a picnic area, we will enjoy they peace and quiet, the sounds of the birds, and a nice hike.
We will reach Atxade, were we will have a small picnic and enjoy the vies from the balcony. Afterwards, we will head back down the same way and enjoy a delicious Basque lunch.

DAY 3 – ANBOTO
We will start our route from Urkiola Sanctuary and head to the trail Urkiolamendi, a path that will lead us to the peak of Anboto, a mountain of 1.331m.
Once we reach the peak the views are breath-taking, you will be able to look the majestic mount Gorbea or the San Lorenzo and San Millán, old mountains that hold many years of shepherds history. We will also visit the Cave of Mari, also known as Lady Anboto, a mythical Basque creature.
After our small picnic and some time to relax we will start descending until we reach once again the Urkiola Sanctuary.

DAY 3 – NATURAL PARK OF AIZKORRI
An early start sees us on our way from Oñati heading towards San Adrián. We stop in many places including the Arantzatzu Sanctuary, the Urbia meadows and shrine, and San Adrián Cave where we learn its history form our experts. We will have lunch in Zerain, we will visit and have the experience of being a miner for a day. Visiting the interpretation Center of Azpita where we will learn about the history of mining and, visiting calcination ovens and the Polvorin Gallery.

DAY 4 – LIZARRUSTI
We will start at the top of Lizarrusti and head north. The trail is perfectly marked for us to follow and it will take up to the spectacular forest full of beech oaks.
We will start to ascend and border mount Alleko, the gradient will start to increase little by little.
We will leave the darkness of the forest and enter a lovely esplanade to enter the forest once again. We will reach the Igaratza refugee where we can relax a bit and continue our trek to Enirio, here we might see one or two shepherds taking care of their sheep.
After this, we will start descending once again until we reach Lizarrusti.

DAY 5 – JAIZKIBEL
HIKE THROUGH HISTORY
For those interested in the intricate history of the Basque country, this is not a trip to miss. We start the day on the Basque- French border, in the historic walled-town of Hondarribia, facing the French town of Hendaye over the Txingudi Bay. This town has seen many battles and sieges due to its precarious position between Spain and France, which is explained by our expert guide during a visit to the Old Town.
From there we set out on a trek westwards to the twin fishing
villages of Pasaia San Juan and San Pedro. Here we stop for a traditional seafood lunch (caught that day) and a visit to the Albaola Naval museum before heading back to beautiful San Sebastian.

DAY 6 – NATURAL PARK ARTIKUZA
The natural park of Artikutza is a clear example of an isolated paradise and is a very characteristic dense forest in the Basque Country. It consists of beech forests, mainly oak and yews in which there has been little human intervention, in recent years. This marvellous forest hosts a village lost in time, which is only accessible by foot, and where you will feel like being in an old tale.
From the summit of the mountain we can see part of the French and Spanish Basque Coast. You will feel as if you are in the top of the world, even though you are only 800m high.
Once we start descending, we will walk through beautiful fields and enter the lush forest to get to the enchanted village of Artikutza where we will have a delicious traditional lunch.

DAY 7
DEPARTURE
Everything has to come to an end! After 7 fabulous days in the North of Spain it is time to go back home.
Thank you for visiting our house, the door is always open!

Available year-round.

Price based on a group of 8 travelling.
€1900 per person.

INCLUDES
Guide: Mountain Guide during every activity

Transfers: To/from activities
Rural Hostels and Hotels (Breakfast Included) Double Rooms
Breakfast included, picnic lunch, farewell dinner

Activities

  • Trekking:
  • Natural Park of Aizkorri, Lizarrusti, Jaizkibel, Natural Park of Artikutza, Urdabai, Anboth

HOTEL ZENITH****
This 4 star hotel has opened its door in September 2014, and is just outside the City Centre.
From the hotel it is just a short walk to the city centre and the beaches. You can also cycle to the centre or use public transportation.
After a day out in the centre and the famous old town this is the perfect place to relax. The hotel offers a restaurant, a Jacuzzi on the terrace and a small gym

RURAL HOUSE URUNE
Urune is born to create emotions and supposes the implementation of our dream: a calm and natural beautiful place to think, to work, learn, rest and enjoy; in the middle of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
They open you the doors of their home, to enjoy nature, to delight the local gastronomy and to live their customs, and enjoy a relaxing time in their house

HOTEL TORRE ZUMELTZEGI***
Hotel Torre Zumeltzegi is located in Old Town of Oñati, in the beautiful Basque countryside. This restored 13th-century property offers a garden and charming rooms with free Wi-Fi.
The décor at the Torre Zumeltzegi combines the building’s mediaeval heritage with modern touches, with exposed stone walls, wooden beams and parquet floors.

HOTEL DOLAREA****
A Rural House from the XVIIth Century recently reformed to be converted in a four-star luxurious hotel.
Located in the heart of Goierri, near historical monuments of Igartza.
Relax after a day of trekking in your room while listening to the calming and soothing sound of the Dolarea River.

Your Accommodation

Where you rest your head after an active day is hugely important to us. We go to great lengths to find properties that are unique expressions of the region you are travelling through. Think of them as the charming and intimate garnish atop your trip. 

Whether nestled in the heart of a village or lost in the countryside and surrounded by nature, all accommodations are chosen using a strict criteria of comforthospitality, and authentic charm. We like to use locally run independent small hotels, guest houses and B&Bs instead of the larger “chain” hotels.  All of them are hand-picked, visited, and re-visited by our local partners. On most of our holidays you will be staying in different hotels and their  uniqueness and individual character only adds to the enjoyment of your holiday. You will also benifit with knowledge that your trip is contributing to local economies, and supporting local family run businesses.

You will be welcomed in a double or twin room (2 beds) – based on double occupancy.
All of our rooms have private bathrooms.
Individual rooms are possible upon request when you book; they are subject to availability and incur a supplemental fee.
For biking trips, all of our inns have a safe place to keep bicycles for the night

Flights are not included in the price. Adventure Holidays do not book flights. We will  advise you on best times, dates and airfares to book.

The tour starts in San Sebastian. Fly to Bilbao airport. Private transfer to San Sebastian

From Price pp

$ 2.690,70

Loading Maps
TOURS NEARBY Walking Basque Country Secrets