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Discover the hidden valleys and traffic-free greenways of the beautiful Basque country on this off-the-beaten-path self-guided gravel bike tour!
This beautiful tour takes you into the green heart of the rural Basque Country, exploring forests, valleys and villages lost in time. Enjoy some spectacular gravel cycling along vías verdes: disused railway lines that have been converted into traffic-free bike paths. Challenge yourself with climbs into the majestic Basque mountains and a wide range of cycling terrain.
The itinerary starts and ends in the beautiful city of San Sebastian, which has become world-famous for the quality of its gastronomy. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample the renowned Basque “pintxos”, washed down with a glass of local txakoli wine!
Leaving San Sebastian behind, the route takes you through some of the region’s most beautiful villages, the stunning Basaburua Valley and even across the border into France, with a stop in the colourful medieval fishing village of Hondarribia.
Day 1: San Sebastian
Arrival day
Accommodation: Hotel Codina
Welcome to your fabulous gravel bike tour of the Basque Country!
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure exploring the city centre and the spectacular shell-shaped beach of La Concha. Why not carb-load ahead of your cycling adventure by trying some of San Sebastian’s world-famous pintxos, accompanied by a glass of local txakoli white wine?
Day 2: San Sebastian – Urnieta
Route: 19 km/11.8 miles
Elevation: +140 m/ 459 feet
Accommodation: Hotel K-10
This morning our local partner, Miguel, will meet you in the lobby of your hotel. He will be there to fit your bikes and give you the maps and documents you need for the week and answer any questions.
Next, its time to start your Basque gravel bike tour! Today’s ride is a short stage to get your legs warmed up.
Leaving San Sebastian behind, you’ll follow a bike path out of the city, along the Urumea river and past the famed cider houses of the village of Astigarraga. We recommend that you make a stop here to sample some locally-produced Basque cider, which is traditionally poured from a height to aerate it!
Your first stage ends in the charming village of Urnieta, set amongst the verdant moutains of Adarramendi and Oindi.
Day 3: Urnieta – Lekunberri
Route: 44 km/27.3 miles
Elevation: +840 m/ 2755 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Ayestarán
Today, the real gravel bike cycling begins, along one of the most exciting vía verde cycle paths in all of Northern Spain! You’ll enjoy a wide variety of terrains, some spectacular cycling along winding roads and verdant valleys, and a challenging climb up to Lekunberri. Leitzaran Valley is a stunningly unspoilt natural landscape of native beech and oak trees, dotted with historic traditional farmhouses.
Your route takes you across the provincial border from the Basque Country into the historic Kingdom of Navarre, the birthplace of Basque culture which still retains a strong Basque identity in many areas.
You’ll spend tonight in the picturesque village of Lekunberri, whose name, which translates to “new place”, belies its long history, which dates back to the 12th century.
Day 4: Lekunberri – Santesteban
Route: 50 km/31 miles
Elevation: +610 m/ 2000 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Balneario Elgorriaga
Today’s stage is a beautiful route that takes you along the Larraun river and through the Basaburua Valley. Enjoy a tranquil natural landscape, pedalling through forests and past waterfalls. Stop off for coffee and a snack at one of the valley’s tiny rural villages, lost in time among the verdant countryside.
Day 5: Santesteban – Hondarribia
Route: 47 km/29.2 miles
Elevation: +390 m/ 1280 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Jauregui
Today’s gravel bike stage follows the brand-new Bidasoa vía verde cycle path along the river of the same name. Enjoy a relaxed downhill ride through picturesque Navarrese villages, all the way to the border town of Hendaye. Here, you’ll take a boat across the bay and into France, where you’ll spend the night in the colourful fortified town of Hondarribia.
Day 6: Hondarribia – San Sebastian
Route: 31 km/ 19.3 miles
Elevation: +530 m/ 1740 feet
Accommodation: Hotel Codina
Your last ride of the week starts with a beautiful coastal ride along a seafront bike path, admiring historic lighthouses. From here, you’ll head up to Jaizkibel Mountain pass for stunning panoramic sea views, before enjoying a sweeping descent into the charming fishing village of Pasajes de San Juan. After a quick stop for coffee and a pintxo, you’ll take the boat across the bay to follow a bike path all the way into San Sebastian.
Day 7: Departure
End of tour
After breakfast, your Basque gravel bike tour comes to an end!
Get in touch with us if you are interested in spending some extra nights in San Sebastian, or extending your trip to the beautiful green city of Vitoria or other towns in the Basque Country.
Hotel Codina
The Codina Hotel is located 300 metres from Ondarreta Beach, in San Sebastián.
It is a 3-star hotel designed to offer you a pleasant stay in the city. Remodelled in 2006, the building is modern and welcoming. The Sercotel Codina Hotel offers 65 rooms equipped with all the amenities, including free WiFi Internet. Because of its location and facilities, this hotel is one the best accommodation option for your visit to this famous city.
250.00€
350.00€
450.00€
1.620,00€ – 1.850,00€
| Dates | 01 Apr to 31 Oct 2025, High season July 1st to Sept. 15th |
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