Spanish Basque coast: where Ocean and mountains become one
The Spanish Basque Country coast features the last reliefs of the Pyrenees, opening in some areas wonderful beaches surrounded with cliffs. The sea is clear, sometimes choppy with beautiful waves. You can take a bath, get a tan, but you can also, and above all, hike along the Atlantic Ocean.
Here, no jealousy: ocean and mountain perfectly meet and merge. For you to be able to discover this amazing union between the natural features, we offer you the opportunity to cross the area from North to South, stopping every night in a seaside stopover. With the Ocean always as a backdrop, you will go from hills to creeks, from cliffs to beaches, from lawns to forests.
You will also enjoy the gastronomy of this territory whose cultural and culinary heritage is exceptional. Every night you will be invited to taste Basque culinary delights: tapas, Txakoli, fish, axoa…
Departure
Every day from beginning of April to the end of October (according to availabilities).
Booking from 2 people (solitary traveller: consult us).
From 01/04/2025 to 31/10/2025
Prices with luggage transfer :
- Price per person for a group of 2 persons : 835€
- Price per person for a group of 3 persons : 700€
- Price per person for a group of 4 persons : 775€
- Price per person for a group of 5 persons : 760€
- Price per person for a group of 6 persons : 750€
Prices without luggage transfer :
- Price per person for a group of 2 persons : 730€
- Price per person for a group of 3 persons : 720€
- Price per person for a group of 4 persons : 710€
- Price per person for a group of 5 persons : 705€
- Price per person for a group of 6 persons : 700€
Extras :
- Extra for departure during high season from 1 June to 30 September : 120€/pers
- Single room option : 355€/pers
- Extra transfer back from Deba to Hendaye on a week day: 155€/transfer
- Extra transfer back from Deba to Hendaye on a Sunday or a Public Holiday: 175€/transfer
- Extension Bilbao / Guggenheim low season : 180€/pers
- Extension Bilbao / Guggenheim high season from 1 June to 30 September : 215€/pers
- Extra single room extension Bilbao / Guggenheim low season : 75€
- Extra single room extension Bilbao / Guggenheim high season : 85€
- Extra transfer back from Bilbao to Hendaye on a week day (if extension) : 250€/transfer
- Extra transfer back from Bilbao to Hendaye on a Sunday or a Public Holiday (if extension) : 275€/transfer
- Extra nights: please, consult us
- Bed & Breakfast accommodation
- Transfer day 3
- Luggage transfers depending on the option chosen
- Dossier containing maps, route notes (1 for 4 persons, given in 1st accommodation)
- GPS tracks if you ask us + access to the detailed itinerary on the Mhikes GPS mobile application
- Holiday and travel insurance
- 15€ booking fees
- Evening meals
- Boat shuttles: D2 (3,60€/pers return journey) and day 3 (0,70€/pers)
- Train day 4 (1,80€/pers)
- Drinks and picnics
Day 1 : Start of your holiday in Hendaye
Check-in at your hotel in Hendaye.
You can choose to visit the city or to do a walk to discover the
famous Domain of Abbadia, remarkable 65ha natural
site located on the seafront, within varied landscapes. In this
amazing biological reserve, you will be able to visit the
well-known Gothic Revival castle of Antoine
d’Abbadie. according to the opening hours.
Distance: 5.5km, duration: around 2h00, altitude gain: +80m,
descent: -80m
Day 2 : Loop of Hondarribia
From Hendaye, you will reach the
wharf to take the boat shuttle to cross the Txingudy
Bay, which separates Hendaye from the Spanish
harbour of Hondarribia. You will quickly reach the Cabo
Higuer, the western end of the Pyrenees. From there, the track will
offer you a condensed summary of the Basque
Country, leading you sometimes above the cliffs, sometimes
in the middle of a green valley: ocean and mountain merged! When
you get to Hondarribia, after the hike, it is time for a Tapas
stop! Return to Hendaye for a second night with
the shuttle boat.
Distance : 15km, duration : around 5h, altitude gain :
+400m, descent : -400m
Day 3 : From the Jaizkibel mountain to San Sebastian
Short transfer from your
accommodation to the Jaizkibel Mountain. There, the track will
reward you with magnificent views over the ocean, 400m down, from
one side, and over the first French and Spanish Basque
mountains, from the other side. Then you will walk down
through a lovely pathway on the cliff’s edge to reach Pasaia, where
you will take another boat shuttle to cross the Pasaia
Bay. The remaining part of the track to reach San
Sebastian will take place through creeks and green
seaside. San Sebastian and its famous “Concha” are waiting for you,
for an amazing evening wandering along the “Casco Viejo”,
discovering the best “Pintxos” (tapas) bars of the whole
country!
Distance : 17,5km, duration: around 6h, altitude gain: +400m,
descent : -850m
Day 4 : From San Sebastian to Zarautz
At the beginning of the day, you
will progressively walk higher and higher above San Sebastian to
reach a pleasant track overlooking the Ocean. The end of this stage
will be punctuated with the crossing of Txakoli green vineyards,
this delicious Basque white wine you will surely have the
opportunity to taste. At the end of the hike, train from Zarautz
to Zumaia (1 train every hour, 8min journey, €1.80/person,
not included in the price, information provided in the
roadbook). Overnight in Zumaia.
Distance : 21,5km, duration: around 6h45, altitude gain: +600m,
descent : -600m
Day 5 : Zumaia - Zarautz loop
Departure from Zumaia, on the edge
of a superb bay where the Urola and Narrondo rivers meet. Today's
stage takes you first to Getaria, a superb little
fishing port dominated by the San Anton
lighthouse. Then a footpath winds along the cornice to
Zarautz and its large beach, well known to surfers. The route back
to Zumaia takes you along hilly paths through vineyards overlooking
the ocean. Second night in Zumaia.
Distance : 17km, duration: around 5h30, altitude gain: +550m,
descent : -550m
Day 6 : From Zumaia to Deba
The stage of the day will allow you to discover
one of the most amazing and interesting areas of the whole
Basque coast, entering the zone of Deba-Zumaia,
that was recently declared a coastal biotope. The
itinerary allows you to roam in a few hours an unbroken succession
of stratums that, layer after layer, represent more than 50 million
years of the planet history. It is one of the most important
geological sanctuary in the world. At the end of the day, transfer
to Zumaia by train for comfort + version.
Distance : 14km, duration: around 5h00, altitude gain: +600m,
descent : -600m
Day 7: End of the stay in Deba (or extension to Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum)
End of your stay in Deba after breakfast.
Or possibility to book a Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum extension (see supplements) including a transfer from Deba to Bilbao by taxi, entrance fees to the museum, and an overnight stay in a hotel** in Bilbao (overnight only)
Bilbao, a worldwide known city thanks to the Guggenheim museum, which was designed by the architect Franck O.Gerhy, is a must-see in Spain. The museum The Guggenheim has propelled the city to one of the most important cultural cities in the world.
This program is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be necessary, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified.
Welcome
Day 1 at your accommodation in Hendaye (64), according to your arrival time.
Dispersion
Day 7, in Deba, after breakfast, or on day 8 in Bilbao, after breakfast if you book the “Bilbao option”.
Level
Level 2/5
Occasional walker, in good physical condition. Hiking 5h-6h per day on average, altitude difference 400m-700m on average, on easy paths and tracks. They are average times that only take into account the effective walking time and do not include the stops during the hike. Depending on the weather conditions, the walking pace can also vary, ranging from. +300m to +500m of climbing per hour.
Accommodation
Bed & Breakfast
2 nights in guest room or hotel** on days 1 and 2
2 nights in a thalasso hotel on days 4 and 5
1 night hotel** or Spanish Pension** on day 3
1 night Spanish Pension** on day 6
Food
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, butter, jam)
- Dinners are not included, plenty of restaurants at each night stop
- Drinks and picnics not included
Luggage porterage
You will need to carry a day backpack only. Our bag-moving service means you can travel light during your walks. Your main luggage (that should please be easily transportable) will be transported by vehicle between the different night stops, unless you have chosen the version without luggage transport.
Supervision
Self-guided walk, without guide.