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A bike tour in South of France
Biarritz-Hondarribia-Ainhao-St.Jean Pied de Port-Espelette-Cambo les Bains-Bayonne
A cycle journey including the best of the French Basque country: amazing coasts, country villages and vineyards, red cliffs and green valleys, traditional villages and great resorts, authentic hotels and genuine cuisine. All this beauty is even easier to enjoy if you choose an electric bike!
You will experience the hospitality of the Basques: they are friendly, modern and forward-looking and above all very proud of their unique language, history, culture and traditions. You will cycle at the Pyrenees foothills and even reach a mountain top by historic rack Railway. Your trip starts and ends in the vibrant town of BIARRITZ. In this lovely fishing village, you will find some excellent restaurants where you can enjoy local delicacies.
In the Pyrenees the “west” is not so wild and temperatures, even in the summer, are comfortable for cycling, while in spring and fall the nearby Atlantic Ocean mitigates the temperatures. Along the way you will explore Jean Pied de Port, a little and evocative pilgrimage town in the shadows of the Pyrenees which is an important stage of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (Way of St. James), Espelette, famous for its peppers, Hasparren with the Chapel du Sacre-Coeur and Bayonne on the sea.
We highly recommend this itinerary if you like unspoilt countryside, authentic villages, fortified pilgrim towns and a wonderfully varied coastline: you will enjoy all this cycling either fast or gently, since you can choose an electric bike. There are no mountains or too steep hills, just pleasant lanes across rolling countryside. You will have superb viewpoints overlooking the ocean and beautiful wooded valleys dotted with farms and villages. The vicinity to the Atlantic Ocean means also a variety of shellfish and fresh seafood, but you will also find excellent local lamb and beef, local cider, black cherries, delicious cheese and the famous Basque peppers from Espelette.
In short words…this is the perfect cycling holiday!
The daily program of the 7-day tour
Arrival at your hotel in Biarritz. You will stay in a 3- or 4-star hotels. You will be provided with all the documentation and details of the itinerary. Biarritz is one of the most famous seaside destinations in France and Europe. Its beautiful ocean beaches, surfing, thalassotherapy centres and numerous golf courses attract visitors from all over the world. In the evenings, its restaurants, bars and lively squares provide a charming atmosphere for pleasant evenings.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Biarritz.
On this route you will have the opportunity to discover the wealth of natural spaces that characterise the Basque countryside: valleys, ridges, cliffs, mountains and farmland. On your way, you will visit several villages in the region, including Saint-Jean-de-Luz, with its famous bay, and Hendaye, with its dominant Abbey. You will then cross the river Bidassoa, immersing yourself in the Spanish atmosphere. A ferry will take you from Hendaye to Hondarribia, a fortified town rich in historical treasures.
Hondarribia, known for its tapas and lively nightlife, is a picturesque fishing town with colourful Basque houses and flower-filled balconies. Exploring it is a real pleasure! Its historic centre, surrounded by mighty 16th-century walls and dominated by the Castle of Charles V, has been declared a Historical and Artistic Monument.
Overnight stay, breakfast in Hondarribia
Distance: 32 km/19.8 mi
Total height difference: 300m
From Hondarribia you will take the ferry back to Hendaye and continue your itinerary towards Ascain. Here you can discover its prestigious Roman bridge and immerse yourself in its rich culture. About 4 km away, the small Rhune train will be waiting to take you to the highest peak of the Basque Country. After a walk through the picturesque streets of Sare, you can head to the witches’ village, where legend has it that their spirits still haunt the surroundings… You will end the day in the typical village of Ainhoa, characterised by half-timbered houses, ‘palombières’ and pastures populated by sheep. Between the medieval village and the refined bastide, the streets of Ainhoa tell 800 years of history. You can visit the village church, the ancient stelae of the cemetery, the gable and the ancient washhouse. Admire the imposing houses that line the main street and discover all their particularities. Soon Ainhoa will have no more secrets for you!
Overnight stay, breakfast and dinner in Ainhoa.
Distance: 43 km/26.7 mi
Total height difference: 650 m
After crossing the Pinodieta Pass, you will find yourself in the Espelette market, known for its small wild horses called ‘Pottocks’ and the renowned Espelette chilli peppers, which will delight your taste buds. Afterwards, you will descend along the river Nive, following narrow paths that meander down to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a picturesque village world-famous for the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, recognised by UNESCO. Every year, more and more pilgrims are drawn to this fascinating place.
Overnight stay, breakfast in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Distance: 46 km/28.5 mi
Total height difference: 780 m
This stage is suitable for everyone. You can continue cycling or, if the journey the day before has tired you out, take a train to the next stage. (1 departure in the morning and/or early afternoon). You will have time to explore the surroundings following an itinerary specially designed for you.
Overnight stay, breakfast and dinner in Itxassou or Cambo-les-Bains
Distance: 41 km/25.4 mi
Height difference: 680 m
After the first 15 kilometres, you continue on a cycle path to Bayonne. You will have time to enjoy this town famous for its local festivals and gastronomy. You will then cycle along the Anglet coast and conclude your trip in Biarritz.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Biarritz.
Distance: 45 km/28 mi
Height difference: 230 m
After breakfast end this tour through the Basque country, a cycle tour of sea & mountains.
The daily program of the 6-day tour
Arrival at your hotel in Biarritz. You will stay in a 3- or 4-star hotels. You will be provided with all the documentation and details of the itinerary. Biarritz is one of the most famous seaside destinations in France and Europe. Its beautiful ocean beaches, surfing, thalassotherapy centres and numerous golf courses attract visitors from all over the world. In the evenings, its restaurants, bars and lively squares provide a charming atmosphere for pleasant evenings.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Biarritz.
On this route you will have the opportunity to discover the wealth of natural spaces that characterise the Basque countryside: valleys, ridges, cliffs, mountains and farmland. On your way, you will visit several villages in the region, including Saint-Jean-de-Luz, with its famous bay, and Hendaye, with its dominant Abbey. You will then cross the river Bidassoa, immersing yourself in the Spanish atmosphere. A ferry will take you from Hendaye to Hondarribia, a fortified town rich in historical treasures.
Hondarribia, known for its tapas and lively nightlife, is a picturesque fishing town with colourful Basque houses and flower-filled balconies. Exploring it is a real pleasure! Its historic centre, surrounded by mighty 16th-century walls and dominated by the Castle of Charles V, has been declared a Historical and Artistic Monument.
Overnight stay, breakfast in Hondarribia
Distance: 32 km/19.8 mi
Total height difference: 300m
From Hondarribia you will take the ferry back to Hendaye and continue your itinerary towards Ascain. Here you can discover its prestigious Roman bridge and immerse yourself in its rich culture. About 4 km away, the small Rhune train will be waiting to take you to the highest peak of the Basque Country. After a walk through the picturesque streets of Sare, you can head to the witches’ village, where legend has it that their spirits still haunt the surroundings… You will end the day in the typical village of Ainhoa, characterised by half-timbered houses, ‘palombières’ and pastures populated by sheep. Between the medieval village and the refined bastide, the streets of Ainhoa tell 800 years of history. You can visit the village church, the ancient stelae of the cemetery, the gable and the ancient washhouse. Admire the imposing houses that line the main street and discover all their particularities. Soon Ainhoa will have no more secrets for you!
Overnight stay, breakfast and dinner in Ainhoa.
Distance: 43 km/26.7 mi
Total height difference: 650 m
After crossing the Pinodieta Pass, you will find yourself in the Espelette market, known for its small wild horses called ‘Pottocks’ and the renowned Espelette chilli peppers, which will delight your taste buds. Then you will followin the footsteps of Napoleon cycling along the ‘route des Cimes’, a road made in that period.
Overnight stay, breakfast and dinner in Itxassou or Cambo les Bains in a ** or *** hotel
Distance: 46 km/28.5 mi
Total height difference: 780 m
After the first 15 kilometres, you continue on a cycle path to Bayonne. You will have time to enjoy this town famous for its local festivals and gastronomy. You will then cycle along the Anglet coast and conclude your trip in Biarritz.
Overnight stay and breakfast in Biarritz.
Distance: 45 km/28 mi
Height difference: 230 m
After breakfast end this tour through the Basque country, a cycle tour of sea & mountains.
French Basque Country
Biarritz-Hondarribia-Ainhao-St.Jean Pied de Port-Espelette-Cambo les Bains-Bayonne
LEVEL 2,5
Level is medium. The itinerary features cycling that is sometimes challenging, less if you choose for the use of an electric bike. There are some significant differences in level. You can choose between a hybrid bike or an electric bike. The tour is suitable for people who are reasonably fit, have cycle experience and enjoy a good day’s cycling. The daily distances are short, but there is some significant ascent/descent. The route is for 70% on very quiet roads and lanes, there is inevitably traffic, and it may be quite busy on some sections, especially in July and August. 15% of the route is on cycle paths. 15% on more busy roads inside the towns.Not suitable for children under 12 years old, unless with third wheel or trailer. Ages 13 and over must be experienced cyclists
Daily distance: min. 32 km / 19.8 mi – max. 46 km / 28.5 mi
Total km: 207 km/128.6 miles for 7 days tour – min 140 km / 86.9 mi -max 160 km / 99.4 mi for 6 days tour
DEPARTURES:
Daily from April until the end of October 2025
PARTICIPANTS:
2 or more people.
START / FINISH:
Biarritz / Biarritz