Spain: Basque Country

You meet your fellow travelers at the Hotel Hesperia Bilbao in the morning and, after the briefing, depart for your first fascinating day in the Basque Country. Halfway to your destination, you enter the gorgeous Ayala Valley, at the foothills of the impressive cliffs of the Sierra de Orduña. Your walk begins on a shaded dirt road with a steady uphill (approximately two miles) and takes you to discover the hidden farmlands of the valley. On the way, you stop for a special country style lunch at one of the old stone farmhouses characteristic of the Basque region, lost in the middle of its green pasturelands. Your host is a veteran Country Walkers’ guide, Josu, who recently renovated this building using traditional techniques and materials. An organic lunch of freshly picked vegetables, local cheeses, and cured meats is sure to please. You then follow quiet country roads and mule tracks on your way to the medieval castle of the powerful landlord of this region, the Chancellor Lope de Ayala. After visiting the Tower of Quejana, you are met by your coach for a 25-minute transfer to Orduña, your home for the next two nights. This walled medieval town was a famous tradepost located in the proximity of the border between the Basque territories and the Kingdom of Castille, and international import-export taxes were collected here. The hotel is actually the original 1700s customs house that has been recently restored into a unique Spa-Hotel. Dinner is served in the hotel’s elegant dining room.
Hotel Aisia Orduña, Orduña

DAY 2
Nervión Canyon: Unza to Puerto de Orduña; 6-7 miles, easy, 500-ft elevation gain and 350-ft elevation loss

After breakfast you embark on a 35-minute drive to the tiny village of Unza, in the high plains of the Sierra de Orduña. Your walk today takes you on grassy slopes and approaches the spectacular Nervión Canyon, with 2,000 foot vertical drops, and then gently follows a secluded path along the rim, offering breathtaking views of the valley, and all the way to the ocean in the distance. While the drop off can be vertiginous, those who suffer from vertigo can stay at a safe distance from the edge. Wildlife encounters, including the continent’s highest concentrations of Griffon vultures, are some of the highlights of this trail. Having binoculars at hand would allow you to witness unforgettable flying shows of the biggest birds in Europe. After a picnic lunch in the mountains and a couple of easy walks to stunning cliff overlooks, you reach your coach for a 30-minute transfer on a winding road to your hotel in Orduña. Once again, you reunite in the evening for dinner at the hotel. Dishes feature fresh local products, with an emphasis on mushrooms and game in season, and a touch of avant-garde.
Hotel Aisia Orduña, Orduña

DAY 3
Salinas de Añana visit; 1 mile, easy. The Salt Trail: Salinas de Añana to Fontecha; 5 miles, easy, 250-ft elevation gain and 180-ft elevation loss

You depart by coach in the morning and drive 45 minutes over the Sierras to the ancient town of Salinas de Añana. This unique place has been known since Roman times for the extraordinary quality of the salt produced out of the waters of its wells and underground streams in thousands of terraces and timber pans. You visit the “Salinas” before walking to Arreo Lake, lost among the grain crops of the Southern Basque region and seasonal home of many birds flying from Europe to Africa. You stop in a scenic location along the way to enjoy a picnic lunch. Following the forgotten Salt Trail used by hundreds of mule drivers during the Middle Ages you eventually reach the village of Fontecha, dominated by the impressive fortresses of the noble families that made their fortunes with the trade of such a valuable condiment. At Fontecha you meet your coach for a 50-minute ride to the Basque wine region, where the celebrated Rioja wines are produced. You arrive at your home for the next two nights, a lovely 18th-century baroque house, located on the village square. There is time to relax before a special dinner in the hotel’s exceptional restaurant.
Palacio de Samaniego, Samaniego

DAY 4
La Rioja: Santa Maria de la Piscina to San Ginés; 4 miles, easy or Toloño Castle; 8-9 miles, moderate, 1,092-ft elevation gain and 2,076-ft elevation loss

Today is devoted to exploring the northern portion of La Rioja wine country. The easy walk begins at the Romanesque chapel of Santa Maria de la Piscina, set amidst poppy fields, and takes you through world-renowned vineyards. Those who wish can join a more challenging option to the ruins of Toloño Castle with spectacular views of the wine country. This route begins at the Rivas de Tereso pass (at 3,051 feet) and, after descending along a paved road, continues along a gravel trail for approximately three miles. The walk winds uphill for about two miles on mountain trails until you reach the ruins of a 14th-century monastery. Just to the West, you find the massive rocky formation known as Toloño Castle. Regardless of the option you choose, you reunite at the Chapel of San Ginés for another delicious picnic lunch prepared by your guides. In the evening you explore the narrow streets of the medieval hilltop town of Laguardia and descend into the gothic underground wine cellars for a unique wine tasting experience. Dinner is on your own tonight, letting you discover the delicious tables of the town.
Palacio de Samaniego, Samaniego

DAY 5
Zumaia to Zarautz (including sections of the Camino de Santiago); 6-8 miles, easy to moderate, 1000-ft elevation gain and loss

After breakfast, a scenic bus ride of approximately two hours brings you to the ocean side of the Basque Country. Before reaching your destination, you stop for an exhilarating walk in the medieval harbor of Zumaia, located in Gipuzkoa Province, where the Urola and Narrondo rivers convene. Departing from the village beach, the path climbs steeply at the beginning and takes you up and over the hills on a dirt road, affording spectacular views of the Bay of Biscay. This undulating trail with open views was first used by the pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostela over one thousand years ago. You cross lush farmland and the white wine vineyards of “Txakoli” (a sparkling white wine) before stopping for a trailside picnic featuring an assortment of local delicacies. After lunch, you continue on a combination of mule tracks and cobblestone medieval roads and wind past look-outs of old Basque whalers. Your guides explain how this ancient practice played a major role in the region’s development. Arriving in the town of Zarautz, an ancient whaling settlement turned beautiful seaside resort, you are met by your coach for a 35-minute transfer to San Sebastian and your majestic old-world hotel overlooking the beach. Dinner this evening is in the heart of the old town, at a restaurant dedicated to the Slow Food movement. Your chef serves fare of outstanding quality and mouthwatering taste with a commitment to selecting organic, local, and fair-trade ingredients, which were minimally processed and with a respect for the environment.
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, San Sebastian

DAY 6
The Cliff of the Basque Coast: Haizabia to Hondarribia; 4 miles, easy, 80-ft elevation gain and 150-ft elevation loss

To complete this diverse tour of the Basque Country, you walk along the spectacular Cliffs of Sokoa in France, a world famous area known as “La Corniche de la Côte Basque.” Following the rim of the cliffs, where the green slopes and apple orchards meet the Atlantic Ocean, you discover hidden islands and tiny bays, until you reach Hendaia Beach, the longest in the Basque Country. You stroll along the shore, with its old casino and elegant villas facing the waves of the Cantabrian Sea, before a short ride on the Bidasoa River, during which you cross the international border into Spain. You reach the fortified town of Hondarribia and enjoy a delicious lunch of "pinxtos" (Basque tapas) in the colorful taverns of the Marine, by the Fishermen Wharf. Re-energized, you board the bus for a short 25-minute transfer to San Sebastian for a relaxing rest of the afternoon, discovering the wonders of this provincial capital with French flair. The city spreads over a bay with beautiful fine-sand beaches on one side, and the old fishing port of Parte Vieja on the other. With a population of approximately 200,000, San Sebastian offers a multitude of sightseeing opportunities, from the Romantic district to modernist houses. You may also peruse the many shops displaying Basque crafts. Tonight you reunite with your group for a final Basque culinary feast by the harbor of Pasai Donibane, in a restaurant renowned for its delicious seafood and regional specialties.
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, San Sebastian

DAY 7
Farewell

Your tour in the Basque Country concludes after breakfast. You may choose to spend the day exploring San Sebastian or take a short taxi ride to your air or rail connections.

Itinerary Changes
Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

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