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
$6,995 USD
Single Supplement: $1,800 USD
Available Months
May
Jun
Aug
Sep
Find Dates
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.
Preview the itinerary
No two trips are ever the same, but this will give you a taste of what your journey will be like.
Rendezvous
Airport City: Biarritz
Trip Start: Brindos Lac & Chateau
Time: 9:30am
Farewell
Airport City: San Sebastián
Trip End: San Sebastian Airport
Time: 07:20am
* Itineraries are subject to change. Please confirm exact Rendezvous and Farewell locations upon booking.
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.)
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:
10 km (6 mi.) loop around Ixtassou | Elevation gain: 389m (1,276 ft.)
Optional walk | 2 km (1 mi.) | Elevation gain: 200 m (656 ft.)
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:
12 km (7 mi.) hike in the Pagoeta Natural Park | Elevation gain: 294 m (965 ft.)
Day 4
A breathtaking hike awaits us at the Flysch 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.)
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.)
Day 6
After one final breakfast, our journey through the Basque Country comes to an end.
Dates & availability
Dates
Price
per person, double occupancy
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.
Featured stays
Auberge Ostape
Location: Northern Basque Country, France
UR Bare Hotel
Location: Txakoli Wine Region, Spain
Akelarre Hotel
Location: San Sebastian, Spain
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.
This trip is carbon neutral. Learn more about our Sustainability commitment.
Good to know
Terrain
Some hikes have challenging up and downhills and uneven terrain along rocky trails. We recommend familiarity with hiking in these conditions.
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.
Restaurant Reservations
Please note that if you wish to dine at the Akelarre Hotel's 3-star Michelin restaurant, you need to make a reservation in advance.
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.
Experience Designer
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