(No availability) 7 Days Cycling Tour in the Basque Country Between Land and the Basque Coast in France and Spain

Your trip will start in Biarritz with a beautiful sea salt spray rising from the ocean then you will ride off the Basque coast where you will enjoy a magnificent view! After that, you will get away on the Spanish side off the Bidasoa. Your itinerary will continue inland over lush, green hills and unforgettable landscapes dotted with white timber frame houses built centuries ago, discovering many villages like Sare, Ainhoa or Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Their cultural richness and dynamism will amaze you. If there is something else the Basques are serious about besides cycling, it's food. Be tempted by the typical local dishes. The Espelette pepper is the emblematic spice!

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Biarritz

Upon arrival in Biarritz, you will be staying in your accommodation, a three-star hotel. Regional documentation and road book will be provided with itinerary details. Biarritz is one of the most famous seaside resorts of France and Europe. Its magnificent ocean beaches and surfing, its thalassotherapy, and many golf courses are popular worldwide. At night, its restaurants, bars, and squares will delight your nights.

Day 2: From Biarritz to Hondarribia (approximately 30 kilometers)

On this itinerary, you will discover the wealth of natural spaces that make up the corniche Basque - valley, ridges, cliffs, mountains, and farmland. Enjoy throughout your journey a visit to many villages in this region including Saint-Jean-de-Luz and its famous bay, Hendaye, and the domain of Abbadia. Then you will cross over the Bidasoa River and be immersed in the Spanish atmosphere! A river shuttle will drive you from Hendaye to Hondarribia, fortified city with many historical treasures.

Fontarabie (Hondarribia) is famous for its tapas and nightlife. It is a coastal fishing town with colorful Basque houses and many balconies with flowers. Discovering Hondarribia is a real pleasure! Its walled old town is full of stately buildings and was declared a historic and artistic monument. Sat on a hillside, it is surrounded by towering walls of the 16th century, dominated by the castle of Charles V. After that, you will stay overnight at a three-star hotel (e.g. Parador de Hondarribia).

• Included meals: breakfast
• Ascent: about 450 meters

Day 3: From the ocean to inland (approximately 35 to 40 kilometers depending on options)

From Hondarribia, you will board again the river shuttle to rejoin Hendaye and continue your itinerary to Ascain. You could discover its prestigious Roman bridge and its cultural richness. Four kilometers from here, the little train of the Rhune will wait for you to drive you to the highest top of the Basque Country.

After strolling in the town of Sare, with its picturesque streets, you will ride to discover the village of witches. The legend tells them that their spirits still haunt the surroundings. You will end your day in the typical village of Ainhoa dotted with half-timbered houses, palombières, and meadows populated with sheep.

Between the medieval village and the elegant Bastide, 800 years of history are retraced through the streets of Ainhoa. You will discover the church of the village, and then the old stele of the cemetery, the pediment, and the washhouse. Admire the impressive houses that line the main street and learn everything of their particularities. Soon Ainhoa will no longer be a secret to you. After that, you will stay at a three-star hotel or charming guesthouse (e.g. La Maison Oppoca).

• Included meals: breakfast and dinner
• Ascent: about 800 meters
• Descent: about 650 meters

Day 4: From Ainhoa to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (approximately 46 kilometers)

After crossing the Pinodieta Pass, you will go through the market town of Espelette known for the trade of small wild horses called Pottok and its famous pepper of Espelette that will truly tempt your taste buds. Then you will go down along the river Nive along small paths that snake to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. It is a typical village, world famous for its Saint Jacques gateway classified by UNESCO, which, year after year, more and more pilgrims are drawn to it. After that, you will stay at a charming guesthouse.

• Included meals: breakfast
• Ascent: about 1,000 meters
• Descent: about 1,000 meters

Day 5: From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Itxassou or Cambo-les-Bains (approximately 41 kilometers)

This stage will fit everyone. You can either continue your bike ride or if the journey of the day before has exhausted you, take a train that will take you to the next step (one departure in the morning and / or early afternoon). You will have time to explore the surroundings by following an itinerary specially designed for you. After that, you will stay overnight at a three-star hotel or charming guesthouse (e.g. Hotel Txistulari Itxassou).

• Included meals: breakfast and dinner
• Ascent: about 1,100 meters
• Descent: about 1,200 meters

Day 6: Back on the Basque coast (approximately 46 kilometers)

After the first 15 kilometers, you will continue on a cycle track that leads to Bayonne. You will have time to enjoy this city famous for its local festivals and gastronomic food. Then you can cycle along the coast of Anglet and end your journey in Biarritz. After that, stay overnight at a three-star hotel.

• Included meals: breakfast
• Ascent: about 400 meters
• Descent: about 450 meters

Day 7: Departure

You can depart after breakfast.

Bike rental

The bicycles (VTC bike for men or women) are equipped with locks, reparation equipment, helmet, one handlebar bag, one rear bag, container, repair kit, and pump.

This cycling tour will start in Biarritz, France. Along the way, you will pass Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye, and the domain of Abbadia. After that, you will arrive in Hondarribia, Spain. Next, you go back to France starting from Ascain then to Sare, Ainhoa, Espelette, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Itxassou or Cambo-les-Bains, the Basque coast, Bayonne, Anglet, and back to Biarritz.

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During this tour, you will have breakfasts and dinners (two nights of half board and four nights on bed and breakfast). The meals are local and typical food.

• 5 days of cycling
• The route notes (in French or English) and maps
• Return river shuttle transfer for Hendaye - Hondarribia
• Luggage transfer at every step
• Telephone assistance 24 / 7
• 6 nights' accommodation
• Taxes

• Drinks
• Transfer from the airport and / or the train station to Biarritz
• Transfer from Biarritz to the airport and / or the train station
• The train ticket from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Cambo-les-Bains

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 33% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.