Short bike tour in Basque Country

Trip codeCyclo 15-2
Trip activity :Self guided bike tour
Location :Biarritz - France
Duration :5 days
Departure :Every day from April to October
Trip grading :
Capacity :Minimum 2 people
Price per person :
Discover our other Self guided bike tour in Basque Country ici
  • Short bike tour in Basque Country
  • Short bike tour in Basque Country
  • Short bike tour in Basque Country
  • Short bike tour in Basque Country
  • Short bike tour in Basque Country
  • Short bike tour in Basque Country
  • Short bike tour in Basque Country
  • Short bike tour in Basque Country
  • Short bike tour in Basque Country

Tour description

Short bike tour in Basque country

A bike tour in Basque Country, french ide, full of emotions, to meet the tradionnal Basque culture, Welcome to the wery Southwest France. This magnificent colorful region has many surprises for you.

This short Basque Country bike tour will give you a good idea of the what this unique part of France may offer. Beautifull coast, picturesque inland villages and ports. A country with a strong tradition.

Your cycling holiday in the Basque Country will begin in Biarritz, Seaside Resort along the Atlantic coast. Then you will enjoy pedaling along the “Vélodyssée” bike path. A succession of small ports, sandy beaches and steep cliffs await you. The Basque coast delivers here all its richness !  After visiting Saint-Jean de Luz, and its world famous surf spots, you will reach Hendaye and cross the Spanish border on a small boat calles “Marie Louise”. You will then stay in the Spanish Basque country “Euskadi” where “tapas” and “pintxos” bars will invite you to a festive evening around Basque culture.Your cycling holiday will continue inland, meeting some of the most beautiful villages in France with red and green colored houses such as Sare or Ainhoa. A few words from Euskara, the traditional Basque language, will open all the doors to the land of Labourd. The route then takes small country roads between valleys and hills offering unforgettable views of the Pyrenees and the ocean horizon … a real pleasure.After visiting the village of Espelette known among other things for its famous peppers, a true cradle of Basque culture, and the charming spa town of Cambo les Bains, the banks of the Nive will take you to Bayonne, an emblematic Basque town with its historic center with narrow medieval streets. Bayonne is the beating heart of the Basque people and South West. The Bayonne Festival is known all over the world.Finally, the salty atmosphere will announce your return to the Atlantic coast, which you will follow until you reach Biarritz for the end of your trip. 3 and 4 star hotels will give you a warm welcome every night.

Highlights
  • The chic seaside resorts of Biarritz and Saint-Jean de Luz
  • The “Tapas” evening on the Spanish side
  • The adorable red and white Basque villages that line the route
  • Postcard landscapes between pastures and rocky coasts
  • The fortified city of St-Jean Pied de Port, a major stopover on the way to Saint-Jacques
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Program

Day 1Welcome to Biarritz

You will be staying in a 4-star hotel.

Regional documentation and road book provided with itinerary details. Biarritz is one of the most famous seaside tourist 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.

Overnight: 3 star-hotel, Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 2Cycling day along the Atlantic coast From Biarritz to Hondarribia 32 km - 300 m

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 the visit of many villages in this region: Saint-Jean-de-Luz and its famous bay, Hendaye and the domain Abbadia. Then you will cross over the Bidassoa river and be immersed into 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.

Overnight: 3-star hotel, Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3From the ocean to inland 43 km - 650 m

From Hondarribia you will board again on the river shuttle to rejoin Hendaye and to continue your cycling day to Ascain. You could discover its prestigious roman bridge and its cultural richness. 4 km 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 picturesque streets, you will ride you bike again to discover the village of witches. The legend tells us that their spirits still haunt the surroundings… You will end your day in the typical village of Ainhoa dotted with half timbered houses, palombières, 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 old stele of the cemetery, the pediment, 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 !

Overnight: 3-star hotel or charming guesthouse, Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 4From Ainhoa to Biarritz (via Bayonne) 52 km - 275 m

After crossing the Pinodieta Pass you will go through the vineyards then the market town of Espelette known for the trade of small wild horses called “Pottocks” and its famous pepper of Espelette that will truly tempt your taste buds!

You will visit the Spa town of Cambo les bains and continue on a nice bike path along the Nive river that leads to Bayonne. You will have time to enjoy this city famous for its local festivals, its historical center and its gastronomic food. Then you can cycle along the coast of Anglet and end your journey in Biarritz.

Overnight: 4-star hotel, Included Meals: Breakfast

Ascent: about 400 meters Descent: about 450 meters

Day 5Departure

Practical details

Need more informations ? +33 (0)5 56 79 25 05

We take care of transporting your luggage at each change of accommodation so that you travel light and take full advantage of your daily hike.

You leave your luggage at the reception of your accommodation before your departure .

At the end of the afternoon, you will find them at the reception of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum) + 1 piece of hand luggage.

We remind you that rental bicycles are equipped with saddlebags to be used to transport the things you deem useful for the day

Your travel record corresponds to the documents or files you receive before your trip (usually a month before) and upon arrival at the first accommodation.

It includes:

  • A welcome letter with the main practical information:
  • The time slot for baggage transport
  • Details of the delivery and collection of bikes from rental if necessary
  • Your local contact and telephone number (s) in case of emergency
  • Any additional information
  • The logbook travel package including map with the route (to the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical indications
  • The necessary voucher (s) to be given to the service provider (s) (only if necessary!)

On request and depending on the circuits:

  • The “Evazio” application to download from smartphone for “GPS” navigation with visual guidance (reading of the track on the your smartphone) and / or oral.
  • The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no internet connection is necessary
  • The loan of a GPS device with the pre-recorded tracks
  • Sends GPX tracks of each stage to be used with your own navigation support

On this circuit, we suggest that you provide you with the choice and by reservation:

  • A hybrid bike suitable for hiking and for the route
  • An electric bike adapted to the route

With its equipment:

  • 1 rear bag
  • 1 handlebar bag
  • 1 set of repair
  • 1 helmet
  • 1 anti-theft device
  • 1 charger (for the electric bike)

For the youngest, we can offer depending on age and size

  • A child’s bike
  • A baby seat
  • A trailer
  • A follow-up bike

The bike is delivered to the first accommodation and is adjusted to your size.

At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We will take care of their recovery.

This tour is available in a “superior” version :

The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges:

Comfort : The circuit mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars (or equivalent) and rooms of host.

Superior : The circuit mainly presents hotels classified 3 and 4 stars (or equivalent) and charming guest rooms.

Luxury : The circuit mainly presents 4 and 5 star hotels or equivalent

Our support team remains available for the duration of your trip.