The Basque Country by bike - Between land and sea
Pricing informations
Tour description
Cycling holiday in Basque country. Loop bike tour from Biarritz
The Basque Country bike tour is a self-guided cycling tour around the Basque Country in France starting in Biarritz. Close your eyes and imagine a perfect day on your bike… It will match very closely to cycling in the Basque Country. Come discover the many faces of the region; this colored area will surprise you. Our circuit combines both inland and beautiful coastal scenery: towering cliffs, rugged rocks, sandy bays and an ocean ….
Your Basque Country bike tour will start in Biarritz with a beautiful sea salt spray rising from the ocean then you will ride off the Basque coast where you will enjoy a magnificent view! Then you will get away on the Spanish side off the Bidassoa. Your itinerary will continue inland over lush, green hills and unforgettable landscapes dotted with white timber frame houses built centuries ago, discovering many villages like Sare, Ainhoa or Saint Jean Pied de Port. Their cultural richness and dynamism will amaze you. If there is something else the Basques are serious about besides cycling, its food. Be tempted by the typical local dishes…
With this cycling trips you are going to discover that culture and traditions in the Basque country are important more than anythink: Basque culture is expressed through its language, lifestyle, songs, dances and music. On two wheels you’ll learn The “Euskera”, the oldest language of Europe, pleasantly musical for the ears. The Basque tradition is shown through games of strengh or traditional sports that come from the daily farm work. Not to forget that the Basques have created their own sport ” The Basque Pelota” that the play against a wall called the “Fronton”
The most famous event is the traditionnal Bayonne festivals the best moment to come on your two wheels!
You will be welcome every night in 3-star hotels or charming guest houses. To be more confortable, we can rent you a bike or we can hire an E-bike as you prefer!
- A route with a strong tradition feeling
- The chic seaside resorts of Biarritz and Saint-Jean de Luz
- The adorable red and white Basque villages that line the route
- Postcard landscapes between pasture, gentle river and rocky coasts
- The historic center of Bayonne, city of arts and history.
Program
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: 4 star-hotel, Included Meals: Breakfast
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
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
After crossing the Pinodieta Pass, you will cycle through 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! Leave your bikes and enjoy. Then you will go down along the river Nive along small cycling routes that snake to Saint Jean Pied-de-Port, typical village, world famous for its Saint Jacques gateway classified by UNESCO, which, year after year, more and more pilgrims are drawn to it.
Overnight: charming guesthouse, Included Meals: Breakfast
This stage will fit everyone. You can either continue your bike ride or if the journey of the day before has exhausted you, take a train that will take you to the next step. One departure in the morning and/or early afternoon. You will have time to explore the surroundings by following an itinerary specially designed for you.
Overnight: 3-star hotel or charming guesthouse, Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast
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! Then you will follow in the footsteps of Napoleon 1st and will cycle along the “route des cîmes” built during his time!
Overnight: 3-star hotels or charming guesthouse, Included Meals: Dinner, Breakfast
After the first 15 kilometers you will continue on a road cycling that leads to Bayonne. You will have time to enjoy this city famous for its local festivals 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
Practical details
Luggages
Documents
Bikes
Accomodations
Support
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 (on request)
- 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.
