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Route Rating Level 2 to Level 5

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TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 2 dinners.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation fees may vary based upon departure date. Please call our expert Trip Consultants at (800) GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) for more information.

Meet / Depart

Biarritz, France/St-Jean-de-Luz, France

Special Interest

Culture & History, Fine Wine & Cuisine, Geological Wonders, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife

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Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
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Berkeley, CA 94710

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7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

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Pays Basque Walking

Pays Basque Hiking

The Pyrenees Foothills in France & Spain

This trip is currently only available as a Private Trip. Looking for a similar trip? See Amalfi Coast Walking, Dalmatian Coast Walking, Czech Republic/Austria Walking, and Cinque Terre/Tuscany Walking. Or call 800-462-2848 to speak with a Trip Consultant.

On this journey into the Pays Basque, explore France and Spain to experience a culture that is ironically neither French nor Spanish. Amid the peaks, high plains and valleys of the Pyrénées, the modern Basque people—hearty and independent like their ancestors—sustain centuries-old traditions. Accompanied by local guides, you'll hike trails between villages in the foothills, mingle in markets, play the traditional handball game of pelote, and delight in pepper-infused cuisine, robust wines and warm hospitality.    

View other trips in Europe France

Days 1-2 St-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Rendezvous in Biarritz In St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, walk the narrow cobblestone lanes of this historic market city Savor Basque culinary specialties prepared by Michelin-starred chef and noted hotelier Firmin Arrambide The countryside entices with its picturesque farmland, traditional Basque villages, rolling vineyards and pastures dotted with sheep Watch and learn as locals play a round of pelote.

Day 3 Roncesvalles

Follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims on a guided hike into Spain A trek up the pass of Roncesvalles, a region immortalized by the legend of Roland, offers vistas of beech forests and patchwork hills.

Days 4-5 Ainhoa

Explore Espelette's bustling market In the Atchuleguy foothills, look for pottoks, indigenous wild ponies Hike into beautiful Zugarramurdi, an enchanting village where 17th-century witches performed black magic.

Days 6-8 St-Jean-de-Luz

Follow the Nivelle River to the Spanish border and Sare, the Basque country's cultural gem Our local guide shares the country's folklore and history as we make our way to the Col de Trois Fontaines—Pass of Three Fountains Shuttle to the charming seaside town of St-Jean-de-Luz, featuring a picturesque square lined with cafés, boutiques and seafood restaurants Visit the town's sheltered port, where beret-capped fishermen tend to their colorful boats.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

Guest Trip Reviews

I had the best time meeting the group, laughing, eating excellent food, singing, hiking and sometimes sleeping. The accommodations were great, the trip planning was seamless and the leaders were absolutely fantastic and accommodating at every turn. I haven't laughed this much for a good while. I am recommending it to everyone who will listen. Bravo! Thanks for such an amazing cultural, social and physical experience!
Erin S. - Evergreen, CO

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All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Pays Basque tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in Europe France, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe France walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe France multisport tours click here.

Pays Basque Hiking

Basque Delights: Casual Inns*

Hotel Les Pyrenees

St-Jean-Pied-de-Port (2 nights): An intimate country inn with a sprawling garden and Michelin-starred restaurant.

Hotel La Posada

Roncesvalles (1 night): A charming retreat featuring guest rooms adorned with tiles and handcrafted wood furnishings.

Hotel Ithurria

Aïnhoa (2 nights): This grand 17th-century Basque home on the town's walled square is a historical monument with its own pelote court and pool.

Grand Hotel

St-Jean-de-Luz (2 nights): A Belle-époque retreat with beach access, a swimming pool, spa and alfresco dining.

* With 2 Premiere Inn nights

Pays Basque Hiking Pays Basque Hiking

Hotel Les Pyrenees

Pays Basque Hiking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
  • 4.1, 5.7 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 1 to 5 3 Route Options Available
  • 4.3, 8.6, 12.5 miles
  • 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
  • 6.4, 8.4 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 2 to 4  3 Route Options Available
  • 5.3, 7.3, 9.9 miles
  • 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
  • 4.2, 7.9, 9.3 miles
  • 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
  • 7.2, 10.9 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
  • Levels 1 to 2  2 Route Options Available
  • 2, 5.5 miles
  • 0 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 8
  • Conclusion of Trip
Pays Basque Hiking Pays Basque Hiking

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles