2020 Walking Holidays Catalogue
The best way to tour and discover the secrets of the Basque Country
Hello, My name is Javier ArrĂşe and I am the leader of Walking North Spain, a small but active and professional hiking company based in San SebastiĂĄn offering the best routes in the Basque Country. This part of the north of Spain is one of the best territories of Europe for walking or climbing holidays, not only because of its terrain, landscape and weather, but also for its history, its thousand-year-old culture, its complete network of charming rural guesthouses and, of course, its fantastic cuisine, of worldwide fame. All this makes this region a paradise for ramblers and mountaineers which might explain why some of the best Ways to Saint James (Caminos de Santiago) cross this land. I am a qualified International Mountain Leader and member both of the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) and the Spanish Mountain Leader Association (AEGM). Throughout my life, I have explored the villages, paths, valleys and mountains of this area. That is why I know all its secrets so well. Now, I offer my time and all my experience for the organization of both self guided and guided walking holidays for couples, private groups of mountaineers or hikers, as well as for walking, hiking and mountain clubs. Here, I am presenting you with our 2020 program. If you are interested in this opportunity to discover and enjoy this wonderful place, please contact me at info@walkingnorthspain.com. Eskerrik asko eta laster arte
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Thank you and I hope to see you soon , in the Basque language
The Basque Country The autonomous community of the Basque Country is located in the north of the Iberian Peninsula and comprises 3 provinces: - Bizkaia - Alava and - Gipuzkoa It is a highly developed region with modern services, industry, good communications and one of the highest standards of living in Spain. Bathed by the Cantabrian Sea, its countryside is soft and green with river valleys flowing to the sea from mountain ranges that eventually merge with the Pyrenees. Charming villages can be found amid breathtakingly beautiful landscapes.
The Basque Country With gentle green mountains inland and charming fishing villages on the coast, the Basque Country is a fantastic area for hiking because, in addition to the beautiful routes for all levels of fitness, it offers countless additional attractions: - San Sebastiån, the most beautiful city in Spain (click here for images), - Bilbao and its famous Guggenheim Museum, - The charming towns and villages, both on the coast and inland, - The thousand-year-old Basque culture with its old traditions, - Euskera, its ancient and mysterious language which is lost in the mists of time, - Its world famous Basque cuisine, etc‌ As we will see below, these characteristics, together with many other attractions, make the Basque Country an ideal place for your next holiday. More information at www.tourism.euskadi.eus/en/
History and Culture One of the greatest attractions that the Basque Country offers to be visited is its rich history and a very old and special culture of its own that provides the tourist with a magnificent selection of places to visit and things to see: folklore events, cultural and craft activities, traditions, that can only be found here. All marvellous complements to a walking holiday, making a trip to the Basque Country a complete and unforgettable experience.
People and Nature The Basques are known to be a hardworking and trustworthy people who are kind and friendly to visitors. They speak their own ancient language (Euskara) and preserve their very special folklore, rich in age-old traditions. Today, the Basque Country is a quiet and peaceful land which is well worth exploring. The nature of the Basque Country is another of its outstanding features. The fact that it is a coastal area gives it beautiful beaches, numerous coves and spectacular cliffs. But its interior also has an endless number of lovely mountains where you can find numerous native forests and green meadows. All this means that the Basque Country has numerous natural parks where you can enjoy a beautiful holiday in the countryside.
Basque Gastronomy For Basque people, eating is not just a need, it is almost a religion. Many of the best chefs in the world live and work here, making the Basque Country the place with the most Michelin stars per square foot in the world. But it is possible to eat very well and at a reasonable price in a Land where nearly everybody is a good cook. You are sure to find a master in the kitchen of every village, bar, restaurant or guesthouse. The passion of the Basques for gastronomy can also be seen in: • The numerous cider cellars
The colourful, traditional, agricultural markets
The popular gastronomic associations or ‘eating-houses’
And, of course, the very worldwide famous “pintxos”, the Basque version of ‘tapas’.
A holiday in the Basque Country, a delicious experience in more ways than one!
Accommodation and Communications The Basque Country has a comprehensive network of beautiful, welcoming rural guesthouses situated in the very heart of nature. Many of the guesthouses are working farmhouses where guests are invited to share in their daily activity (cheese-making, jams, honeys, wine, etc). All offer every possible comfort and are tastefully decorated to make your stay truly relaxing and enjoyable.
The Basque Country is well-communicated, both by land and by air, as corresponds to a fully developed part of Europe. High speed trains quickly reach here from Paris and there are two very active airports with daily flights connecting Bilbao and Biarritz with most major European cities. Modern motorways link this land with any point in Europe.
2020 Trips This is our proposal for 2020
3
(click on the numbers and names of the trips to know more about them):
1
1
1
Guided Trips
2 1 Mountains around San Sebastián
3
2 Hiking routes in Gipuzkoa
2
3 Secrets routes of the Basque Country 4 A week in Rioja Alavesa
2 3
2 3
Any of the self guided trips The guided trips do not have specific dates assigned. They can be organized for the most suitable dates for the clients, taking into account the availability of the guide (click here if you want to consult us specific dates).
4
4
Self Guided Trips 1 Camino de Santiago – Northern route
3 Vino y Pescado route (GR-38)
2 Camino de Santiago – Basque route
4 The best routes Rioja Alavesa
The Self Guided trips can be carried out throughout the year, on the dates that best suit the client. In any case, we recommend that you check availability and the most appropriate dates.
Bespoken Trips: Tailor made walking holidays anywhere in the Basque Country
1 Families, companies and groups of friends
2 Mountain clubs and travel agencies
Guided Trips 1
Mountains around San Sebastián • 7 night holiday with 5 fantastic guided hikes in the beautiful mountains around San Sebastián. • Enjoy the beauty of the lovely Basque landscapes and the most pretty city in Spain: San Sebastian. • Local guide who will help you to discover all the secrets of this area and to enjoy the interesting culture of the Basque Country and its people.and • Of course, enjoy the fantastic gastronomy of this territory in places that only locals know. • Dates: This trip does not have specific dates assigned. It can be organized for the most suitable dates for the clients, taking into account the availability of the guide. Furthermore, the duration of the trip can be adapted according to the available days of the client (click here if you want to consult us specific dates). • Travel plan: - Day 1: Arrival to San Sebastián. Information meeting and dinner. - Days 2 and 4: Three mountain hikes around San Sebastián. - Day 5: Rest day to visit the city and its surroundings Typical pintxos dinner in the Old City. - Days 6 and 7: Two more mountain hikes in this area. - Day 8: Departure day. • Accommodation: A friendly and well placed hotel in San Sebastián. • Price: Depending on the season, around 1,175 € per person (based on two people sharing a double room (double bed or twin beds) Click here and email us if you are interested in this trip or need more information
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Guided Trips 2
Hiking routes in Gipuzkoa • 7 night holiday with 5 wonderful guided hikes, in two different lovely areas • Enjoy San Sebastián and the relaxation and tranquility of the rural interior of Gipuzkoa • Know every secret of the interesting Basque culture thanks to the knowledge of a local guide and • Discover why Basque cuisine is famous worldwide • Dates: This trip does not have specific dates assigned. It can be organized for the most suitable dates for the clients, taking into account the availability of the guide (click here if you want to consult us specific dates). Furthermore, the duration of the trip can be adapted according to the available days of the client. • Travel plan: - Day 1: Arrival day in San Sebastián. Short transfer to a rural accommodation in the interior of Gipuzkoa. - Days 2 to 4: Hiking days in the province of Gipuzkoa. - Day 5: Transfer to another rural village in Gipuzkoa. Sightseeing tour on the way. - Days 6 and 7: Hiking days in the heart of this lovely province. - Day 8: Departure day. • Accommodation: A friendly and charming rural houses. • Price: Depending on the season, around 1,295 € per person . All included ! (based on two people sharing a double room (double bed or twin beds). Click here and email us if you are interested in this trip or need more information
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Guided Trips 3
Secrets routes of the Basque Country • 7 night holiday with 6 lovely guided hikes, in the heart of the Basque Country • Take a walk along the best routes of the Basque mountains • Enjoy the charm of some of the loveliest Basque rural houses • And discover the way of life of the thousand-year-old traditions of the Basque people • Dates: This trip does not have specific dates assigned. It can be organized for the most suitable dates for the clients, taking into account the availability of the guide (click here if you want to consult us specific dates). Furthermore, the duration of the trip can be adapted according to the available days of the client. • Travel plan: - Day 1: Arrival day in San Sebastián. Short transfer to a charming rural house. - Days 2 to 4: 3 hiking days in the surrounding mountains - Days 5 to 7: Short transfer to a second rural hotel. 3 more hiking days in that area - Day 8: Departure day. • Accommodation: A charming rural house and a friendly rural hotel. • Price: Depending on the season, around 1,375 € per person. All included ! (based on two people sharing a double room (double bed or twin beds) Click here and email us if you are interested in this trip or need more information
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Guided Trips 4
A week in Rioja Alavesa • 7 night holiday with 5 diverse and interesting guided hikes in an area with a great historical heritage • Discover the main Spanish wine region and taste its world-famous wines • Visit the vineyards and some of the most important wineries • And, in addition, enjoy its charming villages and their fantastic gastronomy • Dates: This trip does not have specific dates assigned. It can be organized for the most suitable dates for the clients, taking into account the availability of the guide (click here if you want to consult us specific dates). Furthermore, the duration of the trip can be adapted according to the available days of the client. • Travel plan:
- Day 1: Arrival day. Transfer to Labastida. - Days 2 to 4: Three hiking days in Sierra Cantabria. - Day 5: Short transfer to the second rural town, Laguardia, and visit a winery. - Day 6 and 7: Two hiking routes in this area..
-Day 8: Departure day • Accommodation: Welcoming and comfortable 2 and 3 star hotels • Price: Depending on the season, around 1,495 € per person. All included ! (based on two people sharing a double room (double bed or twin beds) Click here and email us if you are interested in this trip or need more information
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Self Guided Trips 1
Camino de Santiago – Northern route • A mythical journey of 7 days along the first 6 stages of this thousand-year-old Camino de Santiago • Walk, avoiding the crowds, along the same route that many pilgrims have followed since the tenth century • Visit the beautiful town of San Sebastián and the idyllic fishing villages of the coast • And enjoy the world-renowned Basque cuisine and its famous pintxos or tapas • Dates: This route can be walked at any time of the year, but always depending on the availability of accommodation (click here if you want to consult us specific dates). • Travel plan (the stages can be shortened by taxi): - Day 1: Arrival day in San Sebastián and transfer to Hondarribia - Day 2: Hondarribia - San Sebastián (23 km) - Day 3: San Sebastián - Orio (16.4 km) - Day 4: Orio – Getaria (11.4 km) - Day 5: Getaria – Deba (18.4 km) - Day 6: Deba – Markina (21.2 km) - Day 7: Markina – Gernika (25.5 km). Transfer to Bilbao or San Sebastián - Day 8: Departure day • Accommodation: A lovely bed & breakfast and charming hotels • Price: Low season: 995 € per person. High season:1,095 € per person (*). Everything is included, except 4 dinners. (*) based on two people sharing a double room (double bed or twin beds) Click here and email us if you are interested in this trip or need more information
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Self Guided Trips 2
Camino de Santiago – Basque route • A 7-stage route along one of the oldest Pilgrims' Routes to Santiago de Compostela. • A very little travelled route where you can walk in solitude and enjoy the interior of the Basque Country. • Walk along ancient medieval roads and pass through the famous and mythical San Adrián tunnel. • Accommodation in charming rural houses • Dates: This route can be walked at any time of the year, but always depending on the availability of accommodation (click here if you want to consult us specific dates). • Travel plan (the stages can be shortened by taxi): - Day 1: Arrival day. - Day 2: Irún – Hernani (24.9 km) - Day 3: Hernani – Tolosa (19.2 km) - Day 4: Tolosa – Beasain (18.6 km) - Day 5: Beasain – Zegama (17 km) - Day 6: Zegama – Salvatierra (21.9 km) - Day 7: Salvatierra – Vitoria Gasteiz (27.8 km) - Day 8: Vitoria Gasteiz – La Puebla de Arganzón (18.8 km) Transfer to Bilbao. - Day 9: Departure day • Accommodation: Lovely rural houses • Price: Low season: 985 € per person. High season:1,050€ per person (*). Everything is included, except dinners. (*) based on two people sharing a double room (double bed or twin beds) Click here and email us if you are interested in this trip or need more information
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Self Guided Trips 3
Vino y Pescado route (GR-38) • A beautiful 7-stage hiking route through the beautiful interior of the Basque Country. • Visit areas as different as the inland, famous for its wines, and the Basque coast, with its traditional fishing ports. • Stay in beautiful rural houses and enjoy the extraordinary gastronomy of this region. • Dates: This route can be walked at any time of the year, but always depending on the availability of accommodation (click here if you want to consult us specific dates). • Travel plan (the stages can be shortened by taxi): - Day 1: Arrival day. - Day 2: Oion – Laguardia (19.6 km) - Day 3: Laguardia - Albaina (22 km) - Day 4: Albaina – Estibaliz (23.1 km) - Day 5: Estibaliz – Otxandio (37.5 km) - Day 6: Otxandio – Durango (19.5 km) - Day 7: Durango – Gernika (25.9 km) - Day 8: Gernika – Bermeo (19.3 km) Transfer to Bilbao. - Day 9: Departure day • Accommodation: Bed & breakfasts and charming rural houses. • Price: Low season: 1,075 € per person. High season:1,195 € per person (*). Everything is included, except 3 dinners. (*) based on two people sharing a double room (double bed or twin beds) Click here and email us if you are interested in this trip or need more information
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Self Guided Trips 4
The best routes of Rioja Alavesa • 7 night holiday with 5 different hikes in two different areas • Discover a land full of history and culture • Enjoy the fantastic wines of Rioja and its exquisite cuisine • And stay in comfortable hotels nestled in beautiful villages • Dates: This route can be walked at any time of the year, but always depending on the availability of accommodation (click here if you want to consult us specific dates). • Travel plan: - Day 1: Arrival day. Transfer to Labastida. - Days 2 to 4: Three hiking days in Sierra Cantabria. - Day 5: Short transfer to the second rural town,
Laguardia, and visit a winery. - Day 6 and 7: Two hiking routes in this area.. -Day 8: Departure day • Accommodation: Welcoming and comfortable 2 and 3 star hotels • Price: Low season: 895 € per person. High season: 975 € per person (*). Everything is included, except 3 dinners. (*) based on two people sharing a double room (double bed or twin beds) Click here and email us if you are interested in this trip or need more information
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Bespoken Trips Families, companies and groups of friends • We design, organise and coordinate all kinds of hiking trips for families, companies and groups of friends (minimum group size 4 people) • Guided or Self Guided Holidays, with the possibility of choosing routes for all levels • Tailoring the trip to the preferences and budget of the client • At any time of the year and wherever in the Basque Country • And, of course, we take care of every last detail... you just have to come and enjoy every step of your wonderful hiking holiday!
Click here and email us if you would like to tell us about your plans or need more information
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Bespoken Trips Mountain clubs and travel agencies • We design, organise and coordinate all types of hiking trips for mountain clubs and travel agencies (minimum group size 4 people) • Guided or self-guided holidays, at any time of the year and anywhere in the Basque Country • Selection of routes depending on the type of activity the client wishes to do • Possibility of offering two routes of different levels each day if the group is large enough • Possibility of the club's guides collaborating in the selection and guidance of the excursions • Prices adjusted according to the size of the group and interesting collaboration conditions for travel agencies
Click here and email us if you would like to tell us about your plans or need more information
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Enjoying life at every single step!
www.walkingnorthspain.com
For more information please contact:
info@walkingnorthspain.com