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Small Group

Basque Country: France to Spain Walking & Hiking

Wander from the verdant countryside to coastal San Sebastian

6 Days, 5 Nights

Maximum Group Size

16

Activity Level:

B&R Activity Levels

Priced per person from

$6,695 USD

Single Supplement: $1,700 USD

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Feb

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Carbon Neutral Trip

Walk from France to Spain (passport optional, appetite mandatory) through Basque Country, where sheep bells ring, and jagged cliffs hover wave-batter shores. Wander postcard-perfect villages, stroll lush Pagoeta Park, and see geology throw a tantrum at Flysch Geopark. End in San Sebastián, swapping your trail boots for pintxos, vino and an evening of culinary mischief at a secret Gastronomic Society.

Great Walks
Hike along the breathtaking Flysch geological formation—where rocky cliffs were shaped over 65 million years.

Insider Access
Gain insider access and learn how to play the Txalaparta, a local Basque instrument.

Authentic Food
Between a local pintxos tour and dinner at the Gastronomic Society, you’ll indulge in authentic gastronomic experiences.
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Preview the itinerary

No two trips are ever the same, but this will give you a taste of what your journey will be like.

Day 1

Our journey begins in Sare, a picturesque village at the foot of La Rhune. We’ll wander through valleys between villages, rivers and forests, reaching the charming village of Ainhoa for a fresh lunch. Tonight, we’ll sit down for a wonderful welcome dinner at Auberge Ostape, our home for the next two nights. 

Activity:

11 km (7 mi.) walk through the rural Basque countryside | Elevation gain: 183 m (600 ft.)

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Day 2

We’re off on a stunning hike in the countryside surrounding Bidarray, wandering in and out of small Basque villages, with stunning views of La Nive river. Once in Itxassou, we’ll pause for lunch, exploring the many options in the area. Then, we’ll be driven back to the hotel, with time to enjoy the beautiful property before we regroup for another fabulous dinner.

Activity:

12 km (8 mi.) loop around Ixtassou | Elevation gain: 517 m (1,696 ft.)

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Day 3

Head to Spain’s Basque Country this morning, where we’ll begin our walk in the small village of Aia. Accompanied by ocean views, we’ll wander to Pagoeta Natural Park, home to a medieval mill and botanical garden. After lunch in a Txakoli wintery, we’ll head to Zarautz. This evening, enjoy a lovely beach stroll before we dine at the hotel.
Activity:

11 km (7 mi.) hike in the Pagoeta Natural Park | Elevation gain: 225 m (738 ft.) 

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Day 4

A breathtaking hike awaits us at the Flysh Geoparque, one of the most extraordinary routes along the Basque coast, and home to geological formations that are over 60 million years old. After lunch in a fisherman’s port, we’ll set off to the Akelarre Hotel, our peaceful home overlooking the Bay of Biscay.
Activity:

11 km (7 mi.) hike along the coast and the Flysch formations | Elevation gain: 324 m (1,063 ft.) 

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Day 5

Departing from the hotel, we’ll set off along the Camino de Santiago to reach downtown San Sebastián. Eventually, we’ll meet our local guide in the old town and embark on an authentic pintxos tour. After an afternoon exploring on your own, we’ll regroup for a fabulous final night celebration at the exclusive Gastronomic Society.
Activity:

8 km (5 mi.) inverse hike on the Northern Camino into downtown San Sebastián | Elevation gain: 52 m (170 ft.) 

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Day 6

After one final breakfast, our journey through the Basque Country comes to an end.
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Rendezvous

Airport City: Biarritz

Trip Start: Brindos Lac & Chateau

Time: 9:30am

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Farewell

Airport City: San Sebastián

Trip End: San Sebastián Airport

Time: 11:30am

* Itineraries are subject to change. Please confirm exact Trip Start and Trip End locations upon booking.

Featured stays

Itinerary

Auberge Ostape

Location: Northern Basque Country, France

Itinerary

UR Bare Hotel

Location: Txakoli Wine Region, Spain

Itinerary

Akelarre Hotel

Location: San Sebastian, Spain

Dates & availability

Dates
Price

per person, double occupancy

+$NaN USD single supplement

Join

Join a group of up to 16 like-minded travellers.

Privatize

8+ people

Pricing depends on group size

Detailed Itinerary

Uniquely tailored for each date

Can't find your dates?
Get in touch to craft a Bespoke itinerary or request an additional date to Privatize.

What's included

Accommodation & dining

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners as indicated on the itinerary.

All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary.

Thoughtfully selected local wines, beers, cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages with all meals.

Active essentials

Use of two lightweight, telescoping walking sticks and a backpack.

A reusable B&R water bottle.

Detailed GPS routes available via RideWithGPS.​

Guided services & gratuities

Services of B&R guide(s).

All special events, private tours, guest experts and entrance fees.

All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel services.

Transportation & logistics

Transportation from pick up to drop off.

Baggage transportation.

Van support where trails permit.

What's Not Included: International flights, travel protection, gratuity for your B&R guides.

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This trip is carbon neutral. Learn more about our Sustainability commitment.

The Basque Country has so much to offer.

From the dramatic coastline of the Bay of Biscay flanked by the Pyrenees mountains, the Basque Country has so much to offer. Throw into the mix its renowned cuisine, modern architecture, lively culture and the proud spirit of the Basque people, and you have the makings of a great trip.

— Ninon Vlug; Experience Designer, Basque Country

Experience Designer

Good to know

Terrain
Terrain

Some hikes have challenging up and downhills and uneven terrain along rocky trails. We recommend familiarity with hiking in these conditions.

Meals
Meals

Be aware that lunches and dinners are scheduled later than you may be used to, as is common in Spain. We'll embrace the local dining traditions by enjoying our meals later in the day.

Why choose a Small Group trip?

An Effortless Journey

Our expert Experience Designers are perfectionists, using first-hand knowledge of routes, restaurants and hotels to create an unforgettable experience. This means all the planning is taken care of for you. All you need to do is enjoy.


Active Exploration

From emerging destinations to iconic sights, B&R trips show you the world in a new way on our expertly developed cycling, walking and hiking routes. Travelling through historic villages and romantic vineyards and up to striking viewpoints, our routes offer a variety of challenges for every activity level.


Friends for Life

Your fellow travellers are as passionate and curious about the world as you are, which means the conversations and laughs will be as free flowing as your drink of choice. Don't be surprised if your group starts planning a reunion before the trip is done.


Room for Surprises

We love a plan, but we adore a spontaneous moment even more. Whether it’s an impromptu al fresco meal or a moon-lit musical performance, our advice is to expect the unexpected.

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