Hike the French basque country, inn-to-inn
The Pays Basque is home to the prettiest hill walking and villages in Southwest France.
You will be absolutely charmed by the rich culture, the colorful people, the idyllic villages, and the beautiful countryside on the French side of the Pays Basque. Beginning in the medieval mountain town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a jumping off point for the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, you’ll hike westward, walking from inn-to-inn and linking the prettiest villages in southwestern France. Your luggage is transported every day, and we’ve designed this trip with options for pairing scenic hikes with delicious cultural experiences. Wander through vineyards and taste the famous wines of Irouléguy (we’ll arrange for a tasting at a local winery). Visit a Basque fromagerie (cheese farm) and munch on “bean to bar” chocolates in the tranquil village of Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry. Sip eau de vie (a high octane fruit brandy) at a family-owned distillery, and savor local dishes infused with piment d’Espelette, a subtle red pepper grown in the picturesque village of Espelette. Tip: Hike the Pays Basque in late summer/early fall during the pepper harvest to see the red peppers hang-drying from the facades of cute little half-timbered homes in Espelette. You’ll have an opportunity to tour the Atelier du Piment where the famous red peppers are used to create delicious culinary delights. We’ll arrange for a tasting so that you can sample spicy products from the pepper farm alongside regional delicacies. From mouth-watering pepper-infused liqueurs to locally-made cakes and confiture, nothing is out of bounds for the delicious pepper from Espelette! You’ll also have an opportunity to taste the famous gâteau Basque, a mouthwatering cake that is unique to the Pays Basque, at Le Musée du Gâteau Basque in the village of Sare.
This is the perfect hiking tour for people who enjoy pastoral scenery, perfectly manicured villages, and farm-to-table delicacies. Bounded by the Pyrenees Mountains to the east and the Bay of Biscay to the west, the fertile landscape of the Pays Basque manifests in a cuisine blending abundant fruits of the ocean with gastronomic treasures of a mountain farming heritage stretching back more than a thousand years. Finish your Pays Basque hike in the vibrant seaside village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. We’ve hand-picked the most atmospheric inns and hotels along the route, each one offering a memorable mix of traditional charm and modernity—imagine hand-hewn wooden beams, stone fireplaces, and local wines aging in the cellar.
Note: This Pays Basque walking tour can also run in the opposite direction, beginning in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Please inquire for more details.
Activity
Inn-to-inn hiking, culture, food + wine.
Duration
8 nights / 9 days
Countries Visited
France.
Season
May - September. You pick the dates.
Cost
Only available as a private trip.
Please contact us for pricing.
This Hiking Tour Includes
Upgraded accommodation in atmospheric four star hotels and inns in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry, Biddaray, Ainhoa, Sare, and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Traditional French breakfasts and multi-course dinners every day.
Private luggage transport between every village during the hike.
Arrangements and entries to optional wine tastings, museum visits, fromagerie visits and more.
Phenomenal hiking in the French Basque country.
Note: Private guided trips include guiding and more services than are listed here. This trip may be customized to add/omit days and/or upgrade accommodations to the highest level where available. Just ask!
Hotels and services are subject to availability at the time of booking. Rates are based on double occupancy and are subject to change due to currency fluctuation and other factors affecting the price.
