The
Historic Basque Country
France
and Spain
The
Basque Country is a small isle of Europe, offering
timeless views of a language, people and territory
deeply interwoven in the origins of European evolution.
We immerse ourselves in both the French and Spanish
territories. In the Cantabrian Mountains high limestone
towers stand regally over centuries-old forests and
stretches of alpine meadow. Shepherding has been a
way of life here for 5000 years, and we stay in a
restored ancestral farmhouse, traditionally used by
the shepherds, and tastefully brimming with antique
wood furnishings and relics. We dine on traditional
Basque cuisine: fruits from the sea, expertly-aged
cheeses, hearty soups, farm-raised meats, peppers
of all varieties, sweets and confections, each with
the distinct and subtle flavor of the territory from
which it comes.
We
explore castle ruins and sample private vintages.
Birchwood bowls, hand-tooled wineskins, chestnut baskets
and knit stockings decorate the vineyard country and
its crumbling ruins of Navarre . We enjoy small picturesque
villages nestled in the mountain along the Pyrenees
Border. Our adventure includes two nights in a walled
village along the Atlantic Coast, once home to the
great Basque Whaling fleets that sailed the seas of
the New World. Our journey begins and ends in the
cosmopolitan city of Bilbao and offers you an opportunity
to experience the grandeur of the new Guggenheim Museum.
Day
1: Bilbao
Basque
capital city of Bilbao offers and ideal introduction
into this fantastic culture. Our hotel
is the centrally located historic Carlton Hotel.
After resting up from your flight a walk around the
lively neighborhood and light Basque Dinner.a wonderful
introduction to the Basque culture. Visit of the Famous
Guggenheim Museum.
Overnight: Bilbao
Day
2: ATXONDO VALLEY
We
transfer from Bilbao into the Cantabrian Mountains,
just outside the city of Durango. We being our
itinerary with a gentle walk enjoying the charming
farmlands of Atxondo, bellow the spectacular limestone
peak of Amboto. Level terrain up to the tiny village
of Axpe and then a ten minutes walk uphill to our
hotel, a 400 year old restored farmhouse.
Overnight:
Axpe
Day
3: Orduña valley
We
enjoy our path into a green and fertile valley of
farmlands, a landscape of small and well preserved
towns. Departing from the charming town of Untza,
we will head gently uphill for a while until reaching
the top of the cliffs (2900 feet) that surround
Orduña valley with spectacular views above the eagles
and vulture nest. We follow a level path while heading
towards the headwaters of Nervión river. Right
at this point, the river plummets into the valley
in an amazing 150-meter waterfall, and we will enjoy
outstanding panoramic views. This moderate walk finishes
right at Orduña Pass.
Overnight: Axpe
Day
4: Urkiola National Park
Today
we are energized with a spectacular mountain walk
on varied terrain starting at the picturesque village
of Etxaguen and climb up to Zabalandi pass on shepherd's
trails, with great views of the gorgeous Aramayona
Valley. We arrive in the heart of Urkiola National
Park and then circle around the impressive Amboto
Mountain, following a rolling dirt road down to the
Sanctuary of St. Anthony in Urkiola. This will
be one of the most spectacular and rewarding walks
of the trip. Our home for two nights two nights is
a restored Bishops Palace, which lies within the historic
walled village village of Hondarribia. The lower
village offers colorful markets and walking promenades
along the sea, ideal for evening strolls and stops
for Tapas at a local restaurant
Overnight: Hondarribia
Day 5: Arano to Goizueta
We
transfer inland and enjoy a remote walk that traces
the limpid waters of the Urumea River to the village
of Goizueta. Charming timber houses adorned with bright
potted flowers bring gaiety to this graceful medieval
place. Our hike takes us through a narrow tree lined
valley of Leitzalarrea, dotted with small typical
farmhouses that gather the essences of the Basque
spirit. We follow a lovely wooded path along
stream between beech forest and meadows. Our day ends
with a picnic lunch in the mountains or in a tavern
of Goizueta before returning to Hondarribia. By the
end of the walk, we will have time to relax and taste
of a glass of fresh txakoli wine.
Overnight: Hondarribia
Day
6: Lesaka Valley and Cider House
A
6 mile gentle walk leads us first up to a ranger's
house in Artikutza and runs through a beautiful beech
forest above the tree line and narrow water streams
over the first few miles, walking along grassy paths
and then down hill to the valley. We finally arrive
in Lesaka, a charming town of timber and tower houses
that has well preserved its original structure from
500 years ago. Here we lunch in a local cider house
before moving on to our home for the following two
nights, nestled in the small village of Urdax.
Overnight: Urdax
(France)
Day
7: Lizarreta Pass
We
drive up to Lizarreta Pass, and then walk along the
border between France and Spain, around a famous local
mountain called Silver Peak most of our trail evolves
above a tree line and we will enjoying spectacular
views of both sides of the frontier. After a picnic
lunch, the road turns down straight into the bottom
of the charming valley of Urdax, settlement of an
old monastery the scenery of many battles between
French, English, Navarra and Castilla´s crowns.
Overnight: Urdax
(France)
Day
8: Camino De Santiago walk to Roncesvalles
Starting
just outside the small French village of St. Jean
Pied-de-Port we begin our pilgrimage route. We enjoy
spectacular landscapes of pasturelands, beech trees
and farmhouses as we walk across the border into Spain.
Our route follows a hidden track, retracing the steps
of Basque smugglers through a deep oak forest by a
creek full with trout. Throughout our journey we
are joined by pilgrims destined to complete the full
route and anxious to share the reasons for their pilgrimage
with us. We may be asked to document their journey
with a photo as they begin their trek. The walk
through the Pyrenees is one of the most spectacular
portions of the Camino. Descending through the forest
we enjoy extensive views of the verdant wooded surroundings,
arriving to the Monastery of Roncesvalles for lunch.
Many pilgrims have journeyed to Roncesvalles, a
city famous for its reliquary connection to Charlemagne.
Overnight: Rioja
Valley (Spain)
Day
9: Tolono Hills
Departing
from Rivas Pass we will follow a marked path uphill
in a verdant landscape and a beech grove will led
us to the ruins of an old monastery in the summit,
a superb natural balcony with outstanding panoramic
views over the Ebro valley and the Wine Country. Then
a steep but short descent will lead us to a more comfortable
trail down into the valley where the owners of a family
operated winery await us.
Overnight: Rioja
Valley (Spain)
Day
10: Departure
On
our final day we transfer to Bilbao early morning
for an airport drop off.
Meeting/Ending
Location: Bilbao, Spain
Tour
Includes: 10 days/9 nights, fully guided
walking tour, all transportation within Basque Country,special
events, most meals, daily walks
Comfort
Notes: charming small Inns and Hotels
