Northern Spain: Off the Beaten Track by EV

Bienvenidos a España!

Arrive in Bilbao for the start of your Northern Spanish adventure. At the airport, you can collect your electric car rental and drive to an agreed meeting point in the centre of Bilbao, where you’ll meet your guide for the afternoon.

At the port of Bilbao, you will embark on a sailing boat, which will take you to the Guggenheim Museum for a private guided tour. A picnic lunch or snack will be provided on the boat.

Noted for its stunning contemporary architecture, Bilbao’s Guggenheim is one of just three in Europe. Set on the River Nervión, it houses large-scale, thematic works and installations by contemporary artists, with exhibitions changing often. Sustainability is a cross-cutting theme for all its activities.

After your tour of the Guggenheim, you can either continue up the estuary, accompanied by a local historian, to discover the industrial past of Bilbao, or, explore Bilbao’s foodie scene and indulge in the city’s finest pintxos (pronounced ‘pinchos’). With your guide leading the way, you’ll walk through the city’s historic Old Town and modern neighbourhoods, stopping to taste Northern Spain’s version of tapas along the way.

At the end of our guided activities, you’ll drive to your accommodation, the Cabañas en los Arbole. Who has not dreamed of sleeping in a cabin in the trees? Here, you’ll come into direct contact with nature, savour the pleasures of solitude in the forest, and spend the next three nights nesting amongst the branches of a majestic tree.

Driving distance from the airport to Bilbao: 16 miles (25.5km), approx. 21 mins

Driving distance from Bilbao to Cabañas en los Arbole, Zeanuri: 36 miles (58km), approx. 55 mins

After a leisurely breakfast in the tree tops, you have a full day ahead in which you can explore the wonders of this magical place at your own pace.

There’s plenty to do in and around the Cabañas en los Arbole, which will keep you busy over the next two days, and an EcoPicnic can be purchased from the accommodation to take with you on your explorations. You can follow the walking routes from the farmhouse, explore the area by bike, and live the adventure in Hontzaextrem Park. Combining fun and adventure in a natural environment, Hontzaextrem offers a number of tree-top circuits designed for a range of abilities, with harnesses, pulleys,  a trapeze, and a 70-metre zipline. After all your exertions, you can relax in the Ecological Spa in the farmhouse garden, which can be booked for private use.

Dinner can be taken at Cabañas en los Arbole, which serves ‘dishes with a conscience’, all made with top quality organic produce sourced from farmers in the region at fair trade. If you wish to eat out, recommendations can be given for local restaurants.

You have a second day of exploration and (or) relaxation in the Zeanuri area, during which we highly recommend spending time exploring the stunning Gorbeia Natural Park. The largest natural park in the Basque Country, Gorbeia, is popular for hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking, horse riding, and potholing. The park, which is freely accessible, has two visitor centres where you’ll find plenty of information.

The Gorbeia is known for its varied scenery, ranging from bare rock faces to gentle, rolling pastures, mountain meadows, and oak, beech, and alder forests. It also has a wide variety of mountain and cliff-dwelling wildlife, such as the marten, wildcat, red deer, goshawk, sparrow hawk, and booted eagle. Landmarks you’ll definitely want to look out for include the Gujuli waterfall with its 100 metre cascade, and the Ixtina Massif, a geological phenomenon that has become emblematic of the park. Its enormous labyrinth of sinkholes and caves is haunted by some of the characters from Basque mythology.

You could also make time to visit the Basque Pottery Museum and its 9-metre high oven, now classified as a monument in the General Inventory of the Basque Cultural Heritage.

There are a number of restaurants in the region (recommendations can be given), or again, you could order an EcoPicnic for lunch and have dinner back at the Cabañas en los Arboles.

Driving distance from Cabañas en los Arboles to Gorbeia Natural Park (on toll-free route): 30 miles (48 km), approx. 1 hr 15 mins

After breakfast, you’ll check out of the Cabañas en los Arboles and drive to Oñati in the province of Guipúzcoa (Gipuzkoa in Basque), the smallest province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country.

Oñati is an historic town, set in a beautiful valley surrounded by green mountains on all sides except to the south, which is where the giant Aloña limestone formation sits. It is here, up in the highest peaks of the Basque Country in the heart of the Aitzkorri mountain range, that you’ll come to the Oñati-Arrikrutz Cave, one of the most extensive caves in Guipúzcoa, where you will have a guided tour. Created by the erosion of the rocks by water over the centuries, Oñati-Arrikrutz Cave is unique for its paleontological discoveries. Traces of the woolly rhinoceros, cave hyena, Irish elks and cave bear have been found here, with the most important discovery being a complete skeleton of the Eurasian cave lion, the first to be found in Spain.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue with a guided tour of Oñati. As you explore the old town and walk the streets up to Foruen Emparantza (or Plaza de los Fueros), you won’t fail to notice the wide range of architectural styles, from the Gothic to Renaissance, Neo-Gothic and vanguard art, and marvel at the succession of palaces, ancestral homes, convents, and towers. The University of Santi Spiritus, one of the most important buildings in Basque Renaissance architecture, is renowned for its Plateresque frontage, while the Gothic church of San Miguel, with its Baroque tower, the beautiful 16th-century cloister crossed by the Ubao river, the monastery and hospice of Bidaurreta, and the Neo-Gothic church of Lateranenses won’t fail to impress.

There are plenty of options for lunch and dinner in and around Onati. Recommendations can be given.

Your accommodation for the next two nights is the Hotel Torre Zumeltzegi at the foot of the Aizkorri-Aratz mountain range. This 14th-century fortress, built by the Counts of Guebara, retains the essence of the Middle Ages while providing a perfect base for hiking in the mountains and exploring the region. The hotel has implemented a range of eco-friendly practices and projects to support the local community. In the hotel restaurant, you can enjoy meals made with natural, locally sourced products while admiring the amazing mountain views.

Driving distance from Cabañas en los Arboles to Oñati: 32 miles (50km), approx. 40 mins

Prepare yourself with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, as today you will go on a guided hike in the Aitzgorri mountain range, learning about the pastoral traditions of the area and stopping off for a cheese tasting on your way. You will drive to the start of the trail where you will find your guide at an agreed meeting point.

The Aitzkorri-Aratz Natural Park stands out for its limestone mountains, endless beech woods, and the largest Griffon vulture colony in Gipuzkoa. You may also see some Latxa sheep in their natural habitat. As well as having the highest mountain range in the Basque Country, the park is also home to some of the region’s richest cultural heritage such as dolmens, ancient caves and Roman roads. Saint Adrian’s tunnel is traversed by an ancient road which is now part of the Camino Real and St. James’ Way trail and another must-see is the spectacular sanctuary church of Arantzazu, a place for prayers, pilgrimage and promotion of art and culture, perched over a deep gorge.

After your hike, the rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy at leisure, having dinner at leisure either at the hotel or in the town (not included).

Driving distance from Hotel Torre Zumeltzegi to the Aitzgorri: 10.5 miles (17 km), approx. 40 mins

After breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and head south to the Rioja Alavesa, stopping off at a cycling centre to meet your guide and hire your bikes for a day of cycle touring in the Rioja wine region.

As you cycle along the tracks between the vines, you’ll discover the Rioja ways of working the land before visiting a winery, where you’ll learn more about the wine production process and have lunch.

Tonight you’ll stay at the Palacio Samanjego, a family residence in the centre of the medieval town of Samaniego, at the heart of Rioja Alavesa. You can either enjoy local and seasonal Basque gastronomy in the hotel’s Basque-French restaurant or choose a restaurant in the town. Recommendations can be given.

Driving distance from Hotel Torre Zumeltzegi to Rioja Alavesa: 67 miles (109 km), approx. 1hr 20 mins

Driving distance from Rioja Alavesa to Palacio Samanjego: 7.5 miles (12 km), approx. 12 mins

After getting to know Rioja Alavesa and its earthly pleasures, you’ll check out of the Palacio Samaniego after breakfast and cross Pamplona, the capital of Navarre, to Baztan Navarra, where you will meet your guide for the day at an agreed meeting point.

Heading off on your guided trek.

During the trek, you will visit an orchard where lunch will be provided.

Tonight you’ll check into the Casa Rural Zigako Etxezuria, a typical wood and stone-built Baztanese house, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. The owners of this rural house take great pride in their fresh, homemade cuisine, made with quality products from the Baztán Valley and Navarra. As part of a local sustainable tourism network, they work hard to reduce their impact, running on 95% renewable energy, using only biodegradable cleaning products, sourcing everything locally, and reducing the use of plastics.

Dinner can be served here or at a restaurant of your choice. Recommendations can be given.

Driving distance from Palacio Samaniego to Baztan Navarra: 109 miles (175km), approx. 2 hrs 10 mins

Start your day with a high-energy buffet breakfast in the Casa, featuring homemade croissants and cakes, organic milk and vegetable drinks, organic artisan yoghurt, Baztán honey and artisan jams, pincho and more.

Today you will be exploring the Baztán Valley and hiking along the Camino de Santiago Baztanés, which is a secondary route of the medieval pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago. Steeped in myths and legends, it’s said that the Baztán Valley is protected by the legendary Keeper of the Woods, “Basajaun” and you’ll find that nature dominates everything: the landscape, folklore, gastronomy, and festivities – in fact the whole way of life here.

You’ll be walking the section between the villages of Urdazubi and Amaiur, where you’ll visit the remains of the last fortress of the ancient Kingdom of Navarre. This is a half-day activity and does require a fair level of physical fitness. Suggestions for lunch will be provided by your guide.

After your hike, you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure, and you may choose to return to Casa Rural Zigako, where you can have dinner, or choose a local restaurant.

Driving distance from Casa Rural Zigako Etxezuria to the start of the trail: 9.3 miles (15km), approx. 20 mins

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Zugarramurdi for a guided tour of the town. Home to the Witch Caves, Zugarramurdi was the setting for an alleged occult activity that featured in the infamous Basque witch trials in the 17th century.

The caves are a magical place to celebrate covens or witch meetings, so much so that it was immortalised in Alex de la Igliesia’s film, “Las Brujas de Zugarramurdi” (Witching and Bitching in English!). If you happen to be here over the summer solstice, you’ll see the spectacular fires lit in the cave, celebrating the ‘day of the witch’. The best way to learn about the history and traditions of this enchanted town, and to better understand why its population was persecuted by the inquisition, is to visit the Witches’ Museum.

From Zugarramurdi, you’ll head on to Urdazubi (Urdax in Basque). Walking quietly through its streets, you’ll discover its medieval stone bridges, houses emblazoned with shields of arms, the monastery of San Salvador, and the 18th-century mill. Finally, you’ll visit Urdazubi’s Ikaburu caves, a universe of stalactites and stalagmites that originated 14,000 years ago.

There are many restaurants in both towns and suggestions for lunch will be provided along the way.

After your tour, the rest of the day is at leisure, and for dinner, you can either head back to the Casa Rural Zigako or choose a local restaurant.

Driving distance from Casa Rural Zigako Etxezuria to Zugarramurdi: 21 miles (33.5km), approx. 42 mins

Driving distance from Zugarramurdi to Urdazubi: 2.5 miles (4.2km), approx. 8 mins

Driving distance from Urdazubi to Casa Rural Zigako Etxezuria: 18 miles (29km), approx. 38 mins

After breakfast, you will check out of the Casa Rural Zigako Etxezuria for a day of self-guided exploration.

First, you’ll head to the Leitzaran Valley. Designated a Protected Biotope (meaning it is provided with long-term protection and improvement), the valley extends for 20 km between Navarre and Gipuzkoa. The best way of discovering the valley and its large, fast-flowing river is along the Plazaola Greenway, a former railway line along which you can walk or cycle. You can find plenty of information at the Leitzaran Visitor Centre. You’ll notice that the intense green of the valley landscape sneaks into each of its towns, the largest being Leitza.

From here, you can continue to the beach resort town of Hendaya in France, passing through Doneztebe to reach the Bay of Txingudi (Txingudiko Badia in Basque), where the border with France is marked. You’ll find plenty of places for lunch along the way.

As you head towards San Sebastian, you’ll pass through the beautiful coastal town of Hondarribia – a place definitely worth exploring! No gastronomic tour of the Basque Country is complete without experiencing the cuisine here, as the town has become quite a foodie mecca, competing with San Sebastian. Packed with restaurants and pintxo bars in the Marina neighbourhood, this may be a good place to stop for dinner. While here, take a walk through the well-preserved old town with its maze of cobbled streets lined with beautiful Basque houses, surrounded by the only fortified wall to be found in Guipuzcoa province.

You’ll end your day in San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque), the capital of Gipuzkoa province, where you’ll check into your accommodation for the next three nights. The Arima Hotel, located 20 minutes from the centre of San Sebastián in front of the Miramón forest, is a certified Passivhaus. Only clean energy is used, and systems of water collection, water reduction, and waste management have been implemented.

If you can’t make time for dinner in Hondarribia, then you could consider Arima’s Tilia Deli & Café, serving contemporary cuisine made from locally sourced produce.

Driving distance from Casa Rural Zigako Etxezuria to Leitzaran Valley: 32 miles (51km), approx. 1hr

Driving distance from Leitzaran Valley to Hendaya and Bay of Txingudi via Doneztebe: 43.5 miles (70 km), approx. 1hr 20 mins

Driving distance from Hendaya to San Sebastian via Hondarribia: 20 miles (32km), approx. 41 mins

Over the next two days, you will be exploring San Sebastian and the magical Basque coast. At an agreed meeting point, you’ll hook up with your guide, who will lead you through the Old Quarter and take you hiking to the beach towns of Zarautz and Zumaia.

San Sebastián is noted for its Victorian elegance and has been a favourite summer escape for the Spanish royal family for many years. Its Old Town, known locally as La Parte Vieja, is a maze of small streets lined with shops and Pintxos bars (pronounced “pinchos”, meaning ‘tapas’ in Basque). The church of San Vicente and the Basilica of Saint Mary of Coro are worth a visit, and you’ll have a guided tour of the “architectonic gem”, the San Telmo Museum.

Zumaia and Zarautz, together with Getaria, are famous nationally and internationally among surfers. Zarautz, known as the surfer’s capital of the Basque Country, has the longest beach in the region, overlooked by the 16th-century Renaissance Palace of Narros. Gastronomy plays a huge part here too, with the town being home to many foodie societies as well as one of Spain’s most famous chefs, Karlos Arguiñano, whose restaurant and prestigious cooking school are located here. Lunch is at your leisure today, and you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice! But don’t worry; plenty of recommendations will be given.

The most spectacular feature of Zumaia is, perhaps, Itzurun Beach, but if you have time, the town and its harbour are worth exploring. Of interest are the church of San Pedro Apostol, a XIII-century Gothic church that looks like a fortress, as well as the beautiful palaces and squares in the old quarter and the popular sunbathing beach of Santiago.

After your day of hiking and exploration, enjoy a local dinner.

Today you’ll continue your guided exploration of San Sebastian and the Basque coast. Activities include a cooking class using a variety of local produce, as well as a stop at a local Txakoli winery, where you can learn about and taste their wines.

Described as a zesty, fun, Basque white wine that is full of character, Txakoli is made from a native variety of grape and has a Designation of Origin, “Getariako Txakolina”. A century ago, families produced Txakoli in their country cottages just for personal consumption (txakoli is Basque for ‘cottage wine’) but nowadays it plays a major part in San Sebastien’s foodie scene.

Your tastings will be paired with a selection of local, traditional appetisers which might include seafood, cured meats and smoky sheep’s cheese.

Both lunch and dinner are included in your activities today.

Sadly, it’s time to bid farewell to Spain and the Basque Country. After breakfast, you can drop off your car at the airport where, if you’re short of time, you can catch a flight home.

We’ll be led by you concerning your mode of transport to and from Spain as it is also possible to travel by train (via London, Paris, and Barcelona) or by ferry between Portsmouth and Bilbao. Whichever way you decide to travel, it’s all part of the adventure and we can help.

Driving distance from Arima Hotel to Bilbao Airport: 61.5miles (99km), approx. 1hr 5 mins

Hasta la vista, España!