Northern Spain & the Gem of Basque Country

Day 1: Arrival in Bilbao

Upon your arrival in Bilbao, you will be transferred from the airport to the Miró Hotel by private vehicle. There will be a briefing on the tour, detailing the bike rides and other activities. You will also receive your bike and all other tour material.

Meals included: D

Day 2: Roundtrip Lezama, Derio, and Asua
31 miles/50 km

The day begins with a visit to one of the most emblematic places of Bilbao: Artxanda mountain. Here you will get the best views of the city. After walking around Artxanda, you will descend to the Vivero, a popular picnic area among the locals. From there, you will head towards the Txorierri.

You will ride through some inland villages such as Larrabetxu, Lezama, Zamudio, Derio, and Sondika until reaching Asúa. You will then take the road along the estuary to return to Bilbao, where you will pass through the historic neighborhood of Deusto, where one of the most prestigious universities in Spain is located, as well as iconic places such as the Tiger building by the famous Biscayan architect Pedro Ispizua.

Accumulative climb: 3,051 ft/930 m

Meals included: B, L, D

Day 3: Roundtrip Orduña Climb
84 miles/135 km

Starting in the center of Bilbao, today you will head towards the interior of Bizkaia and the Ayala Valley, with its overflowing nature and towns with centuries of history.

Along the Encartaciones road - the westernmost region of Bizkaia - you will reach Sodupe and then take the road to Okondo. This peaceful municipality has splendid natural viewpoints, offering numerous opportunities to enjoy its green landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From there, you will head towards Amurrio until reaching the emblematic town of Orduña. Orduña's historical importance will be clear, from its narrow cobbled streets to its buildings of great interest.

A tough ascent awaits you, but the incredible views will make the 7km climb well worth it! Afterward, you'll make your way to Artziniega, a quiet and cozy medieval village located in the Ayala Valley which has some of the most striking urban centers of Euskadi, with impressive tower houses, emblazoned palaces, and cobbled streets. From there, you will gradually return to Bilbao.

Accumulative climb: 6,726 ft/2,050 mts.

Meals included: B, L, D

Day 4: Roundtrip Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve
75 miles/120 km

Leaving Bilbao through its iconic estuary, you will head to Asua. After a gentle climb to warm up, you will descend to Mungia, a small town surrounded by mountains and a multitude of farmhouses, some of them built between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

You will continue flat to Gerekiz, a pass with 2 km of ascent. A fast and fun descent of 6 km will lead you to Gernika, famous for the bombing suffered during the Spanish Civil War, the famous painting by Pablo Picasso, and for being a wonderful symbol of Basque culture.

From here, you will cycle to the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, passing by some of the most beautiful beaches of the Biscayan coast: Laga, undoubtedly one of the most photographed beaches of the Basque Country, and Laida, an impressive dynamic sandy beach whose strong tides in winter change its appearance every year. Urdaibai, famous for its beauty, is a protected nature reserve with breathtaking views.

You will conquer another pass of 5 km, gradually returning to the imposing medieval castle of Butrón. To finish this beautiful stage, you will ascend to Unbe and end the tour in Bilbao. After your ride, you will enjoy a massage from a professional physiotherapist.

Accumulative climb: 8,760 ft/2,670 mts.

Meals included: B and L

Day 5: Roundtrip Markaida, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, and Plentzia
58 miles/94 km

This morning, you will pass through some beautiful villages in the interior of Bizkaia.

You will take a backroad to Markaida and then to Larrauri, where spectacular palaces were built. You will continue along the coastal route that goes through Jata, which will allow you spectacular views of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a protected biotope, which will captivate you with its dazzling landscape in the middle of the sea. Its spectacular beauty led it to be chosen as a filming location for the famous TV series Game of Thrones.

You will continue pedaling towards Plentzia, a coastal town with beautiful beaches. Plentzia is a pleasant and cozy coastal town located about 25 kilometers from Bilbao in a beautiful bay overlooking the sea. It is one of the most demanded localities by the Biscayans themselves to enjoy the summer season.

Finally, you will return to Bilbao along the coast.

Accumulative climb: 7,415 ft/2,260 mts.

Meals included: B, L, D (lunch onboard a boat over the Underwater Winery)

Day 6: Roundtrip Urkiola climb
90 miles/145 km

Today you have a memorable stage ahead of you. Starting from Bilbao, you will reach Larrabetzu before ascending another slope of Morga, then down Gerekiz towards Gernika.

You will climb Mendata, an exceptional natural area surrounded by green mountains until reaching the Balcony of Bizkaia. On the slopes of Mount Oiz, south of the Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai, this viewpoint gives you one of the best panoramic views of the Urdaibai Basin.

There are a few kms of flat terrain before facing the climb to Urkiola, the mythical ascent of the Basque cycling races. It is the hardest pass of the trip due to the harshness of its ramps, but also the most spectacular and the one with the longest history in Basque cycling. It is 6 km without rest, with an average gradient of 9.13% and a maximum gradient of 14%.

The lovely Sanctuary of Urkiola awaits you at the finish. According to tradition, the person who turns seven times around the rock known as “the meteorite” located in front of it will find a partner.

Today's stage finishes with the descent of Dima, one of the longest and most fun in the region with 11 uninterrupted kilometers of beautiful scenery. A massage from a physiotherapist will be the cherry on top of a spectacular day.

Accumulative climb: 13,124 ft/4,000 mts.

Meals included: B, L, D

Day 7: Roundtrip Humaran and Bezi Passes
48 miles/77 km

Leaving from Bilbao, today's stage takes you to the westernmost region of Bizkaia - the Encartaciones - a natural environment that extends to the west between valleys, peaks, and forests, an infinite tangle of roads, and more than two hundred caves.

Two passes await you today: the Humaran Pass, pleasant and long, which prepares you for the Bezi Pass, short but intense. It is a good challenge before crossing the historic town of Balmaseda.

Balmaseda was the first town founded in Bizkaia in the 12th century, located in a narrow gorge bathed by the waters of the River Kadagua. A medieval bridge spans its waters and protects the old town, full of churches, mansions, and stately homes.

You will return to Bilbao in the afternoon where you will be transported to the airport unless you wish to extend your stay in this delightful city! Refer to pricing for additional night details.

Accumulative climb: 5,250 ft/1,600 mts.

Meals included: B, L