Overview
With its own language, culture, cuisine, and some of the most gorgeous hiking trails in Europe, Basque Country is a world apart. We’ll hike the coast, the mountains, and iconic stretches of the pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostela on this insider’s journey into Basque life. Eating well is the second religion of the Basques, and we’ll have classic lunches among farmers and fishermen, taste local mountain cheeses, go pintxo-hopping in the foodie capital of San Sebastián, and enjoy a festive meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Great food, very nice hotels, the best guides, and a spectacular area to hike in. What more could we ask for?
— Ronald R., Essex Junction, VT
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-2
Biarritz, France / Ainhoa
From the flower-bedecked Basque village of Ainhoa, our hikes bring us along an ancient riverside pilgrim path and right up to the French-Spanish border amid fascinating megalithic tombs and standing stones.
Days 3-4
Camino de Santiago / Roncesvalles, Spain / Pamplona
At Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the French gate of the Camino de Santiago, we have our “pilgrim passports” stamped, then hike an evocative stretch of the Camino to Roncesvalles, where the Basques defeated Charlemagne’s army in 778 AD. This ancient pilgrim town will welcome us with its history and legends. After an overnight in Pamplona, we’ll make the classic pilgrimage hike to Puente la Reina, where the Camino Frances and Camino Aragones meet. Our historic hotel in Pamplona is the same one Hemingway stayed in!
Days 5-6
The Bandits Trail / San Sebastián / Hondarribia
A mountain trail brings us through central Basque Country, with a local lunch among farmers, hunters, and herders. In San Sebastián, the views are fabulous as we hike down from Mt. Igueldo to the magnificent bay of La Concha, then go pintxo-hopping—a foodie “pub crawl” to taste the best tapas. A local professor will give us a talk on Basque history as we sip a Basque wine called Txakoli at our seaside parador in Hondarribia.
Days 7-8
Getaria / Bilbao
Our hike on a coastal pilgrim trail brings us to Getaria, a charming fishing village nestled into one of the most beautiful harbors on the Basque coast, and in Bilbao, we enjoy a guided visit to the celebrated Guggenheim Museum. Depart on Day 8.
From France to Spain: Hiking in the Basque Country
