8-day Basque Country Coastal Walking Holiday

Make your way out of the city trekking directly from the hotel. Or skip the urban section and get dropped off at Ermita Guadalupe just above Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía in Spanish). Hiking up toward Jazkibel Peak, the Bay of Biscay spreads out below you and San Sebastian shrinks off into the distance. A 1900 military fort, one of at least five built here, requires no explanation from its perch on the border with France. Pause at the Jaizkibel cantina – last chance for coffee or beer - then veer down off the ridge through open meadows and heaths to the fjord-like port of Pasaia. Jump on the ferry and, once across, return to the city by bus or walk another 9 km back to your hotel. The final section on foot explores a surprisingly rugged coastline, ending abruptly above Zurriola beach and the Urumea estuary, and ends with a short stretch past the beach and Kursaal modern art centre to the harbour, the city’s oldest sector.

Challenge: 12 - 21 km / 12 - 13 mi, 4.5 / 7.5 hrs, 425 / 735 m ascent, 620 / 925 m descent

Today you walk 16 km / 10 mi or shorten the hike by taking a bus from the city to Monte Ezquiel (elevation 150 m) to pick up the Camino del Norte pilgrimage path. The route follows surfaced sections and unsurfaced tracks, maintaining height while the coast path surges constantly up and down below you. Both routes come together in the village of Orio. This typical fishing village, situated just where the sea, mountains and mouth of the Oria River meet, has witnessed the passing of pilgrims throughout the centuries. Take time to amble through the old quarter and ‘get lost’ on its narrow, cobbled lanes.

Challenge: 12.5 - 16 km / 8 - 10 mi, 5 / 6 h, 455 / 600 m ascent and descent

The Camino ‘lies low’ today, following mainly paved roads from village to village passing the port of Guetaria. Stop off in Zarautz, a real city, and stroll along the seafront, pause at a café or select a restaurant such as the one owned by Arguiñano, Spain's most famous television chef. Your final stop is a town which gained instant stardom following the release of Spanish box-office hit 8 Apellidos Vascos and some local spots have suddenly become popular selfie decors. Make sure to snap a few pics at the port of Zumaia and San Telmo chapel, both of which appear in the film. When your stomach starts to rumble, head for the welcoming town centre a proper Basque port with its own beach, where several good (fish) restaurants await.

Challenge: 17 km / 10,5 mi, 6 hrs, 575 m ascent, 550 m descent

Take the Camino out of town then hop over to the GR-121 to enjoy unique and bizarre rock formations along the coastal Flysch Geopark. Here you can inspect intriguing sequences of sedimentary rock layers of marine origin created 60 million years ago, veritable works of art sculpted by Mother Nature. The Camino del Norte leads the way at both the beginning and end of this hike, and the last section stops at the station in Deba, where you get a slow train back to Zumaia (hourly departures, travel time 15 minutes). Once there, it’s a 20-minute walk to your hotel.

Challenge: 12.5 km / 8 mi, 6 hrs, 750 m ascent and descent