Pyrenean travel agency specializing in your hikes and treks in the Pyrenees, the GR10 and more
BASQUE COUNTRY: Maison IPUTXAINIA, 64220 ASCARAT
ARIEGE: 20 chemin de la montagne, 09000 FOIX
+33 (0)5 34 14 51 50 - +33 (0)6 10 97 16 54
Splendid Nature Parks of the Spanish Basque Country
Spain -
Spanish Bask country
Guided walking
Guided Walking
7 Days
6 Nights
6 Activity Days
From 995,00 €
Here is a rather sporty holiday full of surprises in a nice atmosphere.
The Spanish Basque Country is mostly renown for its coastline and Ocean, but its hinterland shelters limestone mountains that create natural walls : the sierras. From there, the panoramas are vast and beautiful.
Some of the mountains were listed as Nature Parks, for their beauty, their cultural interest and their heritage. Every day, you will go and hike on these mountains, and the main names of the Basque mountains such as Anboto, Urbasa, Aizkorri, Txindoki and Gorbeia will hold no secrets for you anymore. The main colour here is the green, which makes the landscapes lively and magnificient.
They are impressive and fairly demanding mountains, offering Level-3 hikes (up to 900m of elevation). Such level is indeed required to climb to the highest peaks and to complete the most interesting hikes.
As the Ocean still remains an integral part of the Basque Country, you will also spend a day hiking in the Flysch mountains that overlook the sea, between Zumaia and Deba.
Hiking is great but when visiting the Basque Country, it would be a big mistake to miss its culture, its history, its heritage and its atmosphere. Your guide will of course tell you about the remains that you will meet on your way, such as menhirs, dolmens and chapels, but you will also enjoy some interesting « after-hike » moments.
Let's not miss the Arantzazu sanctuary where the legend says the Virgin has appeared. The modern basilica shows the work of several worlwide renown artists such as Jorge Oteiza or Eduardo Chillida.
Simple and delightful moments are also to be mentionned, such as enjoying a fresh drink in the shade of Plaza Mayor plane trees, with tortilla or anchovy pintxos. In the background, you will hear the kids running and playing, and the grandmothers looking after them. Here, life takes place outside, in the streets, the bars and on the main square on the village !
Dates and Prices
Price per person : 995€
Extras :
- Single room extra : 225€/ pers
- Full board accomodation from the picnic on Day 1 to the picnic on Day 6
- Transfers
- Guiding by a mountain guide specialised in the Basque Country
- Travel insurance
- Meals that are not specified as included in the price
- Additional transfers
- Drinks
- Additional visits
Day 1 : Beginning of the holiday in Bayonne - Trois Couronnes Mountains hike
Meeting at 9:30 at Bayonne train station. Transfer by mini-bus for a hike in the Trois Couronnes mountains (Haiako Harria in Basque). These mountains situated just after the border are like the guardians of the Basque Country beaches, but do not be fooled by the modest altitude of their three summits (836m) : they are not as easy as they seem to be and some technical parts will please the most aventurous ones, under the benevolent gaze of your guide who will always be there to provide you good advice !
After the hike, you will reach the village of Segura and check-in at your accomodation for the next two days, a comfortable hotel in a stunning setting. Distance : 10 km, duration : 5h, ascent : +700m, descent : -700m.
Day 2 : Aralar Nature Park and Txindoki summit
Short transfer for a hike in the Aralar mountains. They are hosting the iconic Txindoki Peak (1340m), also called the « Basque Cervin ». From there, you will enjoy one of the nicest panoramic viewpoints of the week. As you will be in the heart of the Idiazabal lands - the archetypal « Iatxa » sheep cheese of the Spanish Basque Country - it will be the perfect time for tasting it ! Distance : 9,6 km, duration : 5h00, ascent : +910m, descent : -910m.
Day 3 : Aizkorri - Arantzazu Nature Park
Today, you are leaving Segura and heading to the west towards the Aizkorri mountains for the most difficult hike of the week. From the Arantzazu sanctuary, you will climb towards wide meadows, where horses, sheeps and cows are peacefully sharing the grass. With the sound of their bells following you, you will reach the Aizkorri chapel, perched on the highest ridge (1528m). On the way down, you might have a stop at the Urbia refuge for refreshments ! Distance : 17,2 km, duration : 6h00, ascent : +990m, decent : -990m.
Day 4 : Basque Coast Geopark : Coastal hike from Zumaia to Deba
Today's section will take you to one of the most beatiful and interesting areas of the whole Basque Coast, the « Costa Vasca Georpark ». Before reaching it, you will enter the Deba-Zumaia area, recently recognized as a coastal biotope. The itinerary crosses in a few hours an unbroken series of stratums representing all togheter more than 50 million years of the Earth History. It is one of the most important geological sanctuaries in the world. Distance : 14km, duration : 5h, ascent : +660m, decent : -660m.
Day 5 : Urkiola Nature Park and Anboto - Elorrio ridges
Starting from the entrance of the Urkiola Park, you will hike towards the Anboto (1331m) and its ridges. The limestone terrain shelters various caves, dolines, caverns or rock shelters that brought a multitude of legends, myths and beliefs. Among them are the story of the « laminaks », small elves that are working during the night, and the story of Anbotoko Dama (the Lady of Anboto in Basque), a goddess representing the Nature.
After the hike, you will head to the village of Elorrio where you will enjoy some free time. Distance : 11km, duration : 5h00, ascent : +890m, descent : -890m.
Day 6 : Gorbeia Nature Park
To end this week with a flourish, you are going to explore the protected biotope of Itxina in the Gorbeia mountains. The landscapes are really surprising. You will climb to the top of a karst plateau that shelters various chasms and caves, including the famous Supelegor cave. Once more, legends and viewpoints are on the schedule !
After the hike, transfer to Bayonne train around 16:30. Distance : 10km, duration : 3h30, ascent : +600m, descent : -600m.
End of the trip around 16:30 at Bayonne train station
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. Onsite, our guides are the ones who know best and they may have to adjust the itinerary depending on the weather or should the safety of the group require it.
Welcome
On Day 1 at 9:30 at Bayonne train station.
Dispersion
On Day 6 at 16:30 at Bayonne train station.
Level
Nature of the terrain
Hikes in a mountain environment, on paths, the terrain is varied but often rocky.
Level 3
These trips are designed for people who are looking for active holidays. A reasonable level of physical condition is required. 4h30 to 6 hours of hike per day. Climbing pace* +300 m per hour.
*Be advised : these are average times that only take into account the effective walking time and do not include the stops during the hike.
Accommodation
5 nights in 2-star or 3-star hotels in a double room.
Single room available upon request, with extra and depending on availabilities.
Food
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam)
- Evening meals are often based on Basque specialites and include a starter, a main course and a dessert.
- Picnics are included
- Drinks are not included
Luggage porterage
You will need to carry a day pack only (personnal equipment needed during the day and your picnic).
Group
From 5 to 12 people.
Supervision
Supervision by an AMM BE special site of the region
