Basque Country: Bilbao to San Sebastian via Olite

Basque Country

Wide barren plains, steep rugged mountains, green forests, spectacular coasts and quiet beaches. Cycling in a landscape that could hardly be more multifaceted. A tour through Euscadia to Pelota and Harrijasotzaile, Pil-Pil and Intxaursaltsa. Encounters with a mysterious language, archaic sports, imposing cultural monuments and traditional Spanish and Basque cuisine.

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Highlights

• Modern art in Bilbao
• Traditional country of the Basques
• Basque coastal resorts

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Learn more about guided tours or see more Spain bike tours.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival
In Bilbao, the hotel awaits you. At 5:15pm we will meet in the lobby for a tour through the world-famous Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, which gives a great impression with its bizarre architecture. The evening is at your disposal.
Overnight in Bilbao

Day 2: Bilbao – Argomaniz (20 miles/32 km)
After adjusting your bikes, we start our cycle tour along the river Nervion through the slowly awakening city of Bilbao in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean. Mainly on cycle paths and peaceful adjacent routes, we witness the decline of the former industrial city as well as the emerging modern metropolis of Bilbao. In Portugalete, the world's oldest transporter bridge takes us across the river Nervion. After lunch in the lively seaside resort Getxo with its elegant villas, a minibus takes us to the Embalse de Ullibarri, a reservoir near Vitoria Gasteiz. We will cycle around the Basque capital city one small secluded paths, always traveling near the lake to the day's destination. In the late afternoon we reach the Parador, where our dinner awaits us.
Overnight in Argomaniz

Day 3: Argomaniz – Estella (31 miles/49 km)
In the morning a bus takes us 30 minutes to the Sierra de Urbasa. On this deserted high plateau, barren grassland alternates with lush beech groves. Flocks of sheep, griffon vultures and grazing horses accompany our bike tour. After a descent with panoramic views on the bizarre rocky scenery of the Sierra de Santiago de Loquiz, and past pictorial villages, our route leads to Estella. On our round trip we see Romanesque churches like San Sepulcro with its impressive tympanum and the palace of the dukes of Granada de Ega. Dinner will be served at a highly praised restaurant not far from our hotel.
Overnight in Estella

Day 4: Estella – Olite (30 miles/48 km)
Our day starts with a short bus ride to a Mirador, where we can admire the vast openness of Navarre. We start with a pleasurable descent through the beautiful Sierra del Pérdon to Puente de la Reina, where the French Camino de Santiago joins the Spanish. In Calle Mayor we discover architectural jewels such as the churches Santiago as well as richly decorated residences, silent witnesses of a long tradition of pilgrimage.

Around noon we arrive in Artajona, towered by a legendary fortress of the 11th century. After a longer ascent, we reach the wine growing area of Tudela, the production site of the famous Rosados de Navarre. Along lonely trails we reach the former royal city Olite in the late afternoon. Our eventful day ends with dinner in a stylish ambiance.
Overnight in Olite

Day 5: Olite – Vera de Bidasoa (31 miles/49 km)
Weather permitting, a minibus takes us in about 90 minutes to the summit of Mount Artxueta in the Aralar range. A splendid view opens up over the mountain range of Urbasa.

After a comfortable cycling leg mostly downhill, the bus takes us uphill again to another pass. Then our bikes roll almost 19 miles downhill into the most characteristic Basque region of our tour. In the Valley of Rio Ezkurra with its sleepy villages and magnificent views into the wildly romantic landscape, the independent culture of the Basque Country becomes evident. On our last miles we follow the former railroad track to Vera de Bidasoa where we are welcomed at the hotel. An excellent Basque dinner awaits us.
Overnight in Vera de Bidasoa

Day 6: Vera de Bidasoa – San Sebastian (24 miles/38 km)
In the morning, we will travel by taxi to the Spanish – French border. From there, we will
cycle into the French Basque country. Our route leads in a constant up and down path
through picturesque villages such as Sare and Ascain with their impressive Pelota Places.
We will reach the mundane St. Jean de Luz at noon, with its picturesque alleys. There is
enough time to take a stroll in the city or to bathe in the sea, before our path leads us in
the direction of Spain once again. In Hendaye, we will travel by ferry and will reach
Hondarribia, which lies in Spain. We will then take a transfer to San Sebastián to our
hotel, the modern NH Collection Aranzazu***(two overnight stays). We will enjoy dinner together.
Overnight in San Sebastian

Day 7: San Sebastian round trip (8 miles/12 km)
Today we will explore San Sebastián by bike. From our hotel, we will first travel along the
Concha Bay into the old town. Impressive buildings from the Belle Epoque period such as
the Teatro Victoria Eugenia or the modern Palacio de Congresos are located along the
way. In the suburb of Pasaia, the Basque culture is visible and noticeable all around. The
Ikurriña, the Basque flag, can be found on many balconies here. We will be back in our
hotel in the early afternoon, leaving you enough time to either have a swim in the sea or
to explore the old town on your own, with its numerous bars and shops. We will enjoy
our final dinner together, while sharing memories and experiences of our trip.
Overnight in San Sebastian

Day 8: Departure
As there is nothing on today's program, your departure can be arranged individually. Busses travel hourly to the airport of Bilbao as well as into the city center of Bilbao (Duration approximately 1 hour 15 min. – tickets are not included in the travel price).

Surface and terrain

The cycling on this tour is outside the cities in sparsely populated landscapes with little traffic. The terrain is mainly downhill or on flat terrain. There are only a few climbs and some short transfers.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary by availability.

Gran Hotel Domine, Bilbao
www.hoteldominebilbao.com

Parador de Argomaniz, Argomaniz
www.parador.es

Hotel Tximista, Estella
www.sanvirilahoteles.com

Parador de Olite, Olite
www.parador.es

Hotel Churrut, Vera de Bidasoa
hotelchurrut.com

NH Collection Hotel Aranzazu, San Sebastian
www.nh-collection.com

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airport and train station: Bilbao, Spain

From the airport of Bilbao you will reach the starting hotel within 15 minutes by taxi. There are shuttle buses, leaving regularly which also take you to the city center.

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation
• Breakfast
• Luggage transfers
• Guide during the whole tour
• 6 multi-course dinners (beverages not included)
• All visitors and tourist taxes
• All transfers as mentioned in the tour description
• All entry fees as mentioned in the tour description
• Touring bike rental
• Support vehicle during the whole tour
• City guide in the Museum Guggenheim Bilbao

Bike rentals

Bikes available on this tour and included in the tour costs (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Hybrid touring bikes

Bikes available to rent (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Electrically-assisted bikes*

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:

• Saddlebag (water-repellent), rear
• Rotalis waterbottle souvenir

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmet rental is not available on this tour. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.

Note: wearing a helmet is mandatory in Spain.

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

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