Gidatutako ibilaldi laburrak

New for 2016 are a series of guided short walks of up to 2h30min duration which are considerably less strenuous than the guided walks described elsewhere on this website, and thus suitable for walkers/ramblers of all ages. Walking routes include the option of traditional lunch with refreshments at a rural restaurant or inn either during or at the end of the walk, and the chance to take a leisurely look at the pretty villages in the area before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon. Download basquecountrywalks_price_list_day_trips_2016-2017 to see prices for all the walks shown. The routes described below offer a variety of different striking landscapes and rural architecture throughout the Basque Country, with more routes being regularly added:

Benta Inzola (option a) (8.8km, 2h30min approx. 330m altitude gain)

First we drive over to the French side of the Basque Country to the hamlet of Olhette, nestling beneath Mt Larrun. This varied loop takes us first around the open hillside with views over the Pyrenean foothills as far as the sea to the pass at Deskargahaundiko. From here we plunge deep into the forest to emerge at the isolated farmhouse of Benta Inzola, a strategic point on the GR10 Trans-Pyrenean footpath and actually on the Spanish side of the river. After optional lunch at Benta Izola, we have an easy return walk following the beautiful river past several small waterfalls to Olhette, and our return drive through the charming village of Bera to Donostia-San Sebastián (1h drive each way)

Benta Inzola (option b) 8.1km, 2h30min approx. 340m altitude gain)

This circuit starts from the Ibardin pass right on the Spanish-French border and descends through lush forest on the GR10 Trans-Pyrenean footpath to the isolated farmhouse of Benta Inzola, the optional lunch stop as described in option a) above. From here we follow the best preserved section of paving upstream of what was known as the Calzada Romana or Roman Road, although this route was most commonly used by smugglers in the 19th and early 20th centuries to ship goods back and forth through this isolated part of the Pyrenean foothills. We cross the stream 3 times and emerge on the border bridge, following a pretty path first through more woodland and then across the ridge itself with tremendous views towards the sea and Mt Larrun, back to Ibardin (1h drive each way)

Infernuko Errota (5.4km, 2h10min approx. 250m altitude gain)

The drive is an experience in itself to the start of this walk, taking us as it does through wild mountain scenery and one of the remotest, least inhabited parts of the Basque Country in the heart of the Baztan region. The walk itself takes us through some enchanting forest beside a beautiful stream, past the isolated farmhouse and trout farm Etxebertzeko Borda, to the restored watermill of Infernuko Errota in the heart of the forest – the “Mill of Hell” – a place much associated with smuggling in this borderland area. Optional lunch at the Etxebertzeko Borda farmhouse and trout farm and return drive to to Donostia-San Sebastián, with a stop at the delightful village of Etxalar (1h15-1h30min drive each way)

Lareo (7.8km, 2h30min approx. 210m altitude gain)

This is a beautiful walk starting from the Lizarrusti pass at the eastern end of the Sierra de Aralar. This delightful walk through forest takes us up beside a spectacular gorge to the Lareo reservoir, in the heart of the mountains. We complete a loop around the reservoir before pausing on the return walk at an idyllic spot beside a boulder-strewn stream with waterfall. Optional lunch at the Sierra de Aralar Interpretation Centre at Lizarrusti and return drive through the rural hamlets that make up the municipality of Ataun to Donostia-San Sebastián (1h drive each way)

Nacederos de Iribas (5.4km, 1h45min approx., 160m altitude gain)

From the small village of Iribas in the Sierra de Aralar mountain range, we follow a fairly level path to the first source of the Ertzilla River, where it emerges from beneath a huge limestone cliff. We then take the path beside the river through a beautiful forest until it disappears into a huge sink hole to remerge a short distance before the village. Return drive through the Sierra de Aralar via the mountaintop monastery of San Miguel for optional lunch at its attached restaurant and thence back to Donostia-San Sebastián (45min outward drive, 2h return)

Pagoeta (7.3km, 2h15min approx. 410m altitude gain)(half day)

The walk starts from the pretty hilltop village of Aia with its attractive main square and imposing church of San Esteban. Once above the village, we enter the Pagoeta Nature Reserve on a path that zigzags up the hillside affording increasingly spectacular views towards the sea and coastal villages, with farmhouses dotting the verdant landscape. Some sections are on well-preserved old paving and pass through beech and pine forest until reaching the beginning of the 1st of the Stations of the Cross, still in the forest at this point. We follow the crosses up to the first. lower summit to a giant white cross from where the views in all directions are sublime. A short distance further on brings us to the actual summit of Pagoeta just above a shepherd’s hut, returning over high meadowland and then back through the forest to Aia (40min drive each way)

San Adrian (5.2km, 2h approx. 310m altitude gain)

This walk follows one of the most spectacular branches of the Camino de Santiago through the famous San Adrian tunnel, a natural limestone tunnel housing a tiny chapel bearing the same name. This is followed by a short walk along the best-preserved section of the old Calzada Romana or Roman road, with paving dating from the 13^th century, although it is claimed this route has been used since Roman times. The walk is completed by a short detour to an incredible viewpoint over the tunnel and the Sierra de Aitzkorri range. Optional lunch at the hilltop inn Ventas de Otzaurte and return drive via Zegama and the walled village of Segura to Donostia-San Sebastián (1h drive each way)

San Juan Xar (8.2km, 2h20min approx. 390m altitude gain)

Starting from the pretty village of Igantzi in Navarra’s Baztan region, the walk takes us through meadowland, descending on an attractive paved path to the cave chapel of San Juan Xar, in a marvellous setting beside a fast-flowing river. We then make a loop up through the forest, passing several traditional farmhouses and an old lime kiln, before returning to Igantzi for optional lunch at the rustic La Villa restaurant in the village centre, and a short detour to the delightful village of Etxalar before the return drive to Donostia-San Sebastián (1h drive each way)

Txakoli vineyards (7.7km, 2h15min approx. 330m altitude gain)

This circuit starts from the delightful fishing village of Getaria, birthplace of Sebastián Elcano, the first person to successfully circumnavigate the globe. This interesting and varied loop initially follows a nice cobbled section of the coastal Camino de Santiago route to San Prudentzio, the heart of txakoli wine production. Txakoli is a sparkling dry white wine that is grown on the hillsides around this area close to the sea, and much of the walk meanders through the vineyards, with enticing views towards the rugged coast and villages and also towards the mountainous hinterland. Optional lunch at Xabin Etxea in San Prudentzio, surrounded by vineyards, followed by a walking tour of Getaria village and harbour and visit to its beautiful San Salvador church before returning to Donostia-San Sebastián (30min drive each way)