Technical sheet | Self-guided walk | Level 2/5 | 5-6 walking days Spanish Basque coast : where Ocean and Mountains become one

Your route en brief Highlines • Easy hike on the Spanish Basque coast • Easy access to the train station • Walk with family, friends or as a couple • Coastal hiking • Comfortable accommodation in hotels • Discovery of the Basque coast • Comfort + version possible • Coastal hiking • Possibilité version confort + • Visit Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum • Access to main luggage every day • Discover the rich and varied gastronomy of the • Duration 7days/6 nights Basque Country

The Spanish Basque Country coast features the last reliefs of the , opening in some areas wonderful beaches surrounded with cliffs. The sea is clear, sometimes choppy with beautiful waves. You can take a bath, get a tan, but you can also, and above all, hike along the Pacific Ocean. Here, no jealous: ocean and mountain perfectly meet and merge. For you to be able to discover this amazing union between the natural features, we offer you the opportunity to cross the area from North to South, stopping every night in a seaside stopover. With the Ocean always at the background, you will go from hills to creeks, from cliffs to beaches, from lawns to forests. You will also enjoy the gastronomy of this territory whose cultural and culinary heritage is exceptional. Every night you will be invited to taste Basque culinary delights: tapas, Txakoli, fish, axoa…

www.gr10-liberte.com / www.respyrenees.com www.maison-iputxainia.com Tél : (33) 5.34.14.51.50 ou (33) 6.10.97.16.54 [email protected] •PROGRAM

Day 1 : Start of your holiday in Hendaye Check-in at your hotel in Hendaye. You can choose to visit the city or to do a walk to discover the famous Domain of Abbadia, remarkable 65ha natural site located on the seafront, within varied landscapes. In this amazing biological reserve, you will be able to visit the well-known Gothic Revival castle of Antoine d’Abbadie. according to the opening hours.

• Distance: 5.5km, duration: 2h00, altitude gain: +80m, descent: -80m.

Day 2 : Loop of From Hendaye, you will reach the wharf to take the boat shuttle to cross the Txingudy Bay, which separates Hendaye from the Spanish harbour of Hondarribia. You will quickly reach the Cabo Higuer, the western end of the Pyrenees. From there, the track will offer you a condensed summary of the Basque Country, leading you sometimes above the cliffs, sometimes in the middle of a green valley: ocean and mountain merged! When you get to Hondarribia, after the hike, it is time for a Tapas stop!

• Distance : 16km, duration : 5h, altitude gain : +410m, descent : -410m.

Day 3 : From the Jaizkibel mountain to San Sebastian Short transfer from your accommodation to the Jaizkibel Mountain. There, the track will reward you with magnificent views over the ocean, 400m down, from one side, and over the first French and Spanish Basque mountains, from the other side. Then you will walk down through a lovely pathway on the cliff’s edge to reach , where you will take another boat shuttle to cross the Pasaia Bay. The remaining part of the track to reach San Sebastian will take place through creeks and green seaside. San Sebastian and its famous “Concha” are waiting for you, for an amazing evening wandering along the “Casco Viejo”, discovering the best “Pintxos” (tapas) bars of the whole country!

• Distance : 18,5km, duration: 6h, altitude gain: +395m, descent : -905m.

Day 4 : From San Sebastian to Zarautz At the beginning of the day, you will progressively walk higher and higher above San Sebastian to reach a pleasant track overlooking the Ocean. The end of this stage will be punctuated with the crossing of Txakoli green vineyards, this delicious Basque white wine you will surely have the opportunity to taste.

• Distance : 21,5km, duration: 6h45, altitude gain: +580m, descent : -575m.

Day 5 : From Zarautz to Zumaia Because this section will be short, you will have the opportunity to take some rest and relax, enjoying the beach in Zarautz. Then, it will be time for you to put your hiking shoes on to start the stage of the day by a pedestrian trail that meanders along the Ocean until Getaria (you can also choose to reach it through the hills if you prefer). Getaria is a small fishing harbour dominated by the San Anton lighthouse. Then, you will reach Zumaia, on the shore of a wonderful bay where the rivers Urola and Narrondo meet.

• Distance : 11km, duration: 3h45, altitude gain: +335m, descent : -335m (costal path). • Distance : 9km, duration: 3h, altitude gain: +325m, descent : -325m (hill path).

Day 6 : From Zumaia to Deba The stage of the day will allow you to discover one of the most amazing and interesting areas of the whole Basque coast, entering the zone of Deba-Zumaia, that was recently declared a coastal biotope. The itinerary allows you to roam in a few hours an unbroken succession of stratums that, layer after layer, represent more than 50 million years of the planet history. It is one of the most important geological sanctuary in the world. At the end of the day, transfer to Zumaia by train for comfort + version.

• Distance : 15km, duration: 5h00, altitude gain: +605m, descent : -600m.

Day 7 : Bilbao and Guggenheim museum Train to Bilbao and visit to the Guggenheim Museum.

Bilbao, a worldwide known city thanks to the Guggenheim museum, which was designed by the architect Franck O.Gerhy, is a must-see in . The museum The Guggenheim has propelled the city to one of the most important cultural cities in the world.

This program is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be necessary, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified.

• DATES AND PRICES

Departure Booking from 2 people, every day from the beginning of March to the end of November (according to availabilities) Consult us for group discount, or option without luggage transfer.

Prices per person for a group of 2/3: Prices low season 685 € Prices 15th June- 15th September 780 €

Prices per person for a group of 4/5 : Prices low season 650 € Prices 15th June- 15th September 745 €

Extra comfort + version : +190€/pers

Extras normal version : - Single room option low season: 160€/ pers - Single room option 15th June-15th September: 230€ - Extra night in BB, double room in Hendaye low season : 40€/pers - Extra night in BB, single room in Hendaye low season : 64€/pers - Extra night in BB, double room in Hendaye 15th June-15th September: 54€/pers - Extra night in BB, single room in Hendaye 15th June-15th September: 80€/pers - Extra transfer back from Bilbao to Hendaye, for 2 to 4 persons: 205€/transfer

Extras comfort + version (3 nights in a hotel*** ; 1 night in a hotel** ; 2 nights in a balneo hotel) : - Single room option low season: 230€/ pers - Single room option 15th June-15th September: 300€ - Extra night in BB, double room in Hendaye low season : 75€/pers - Extra night in BB, single room in Hendaye low season : 105€/pers - Extra night in BB, double room in Hendaye 15th June-15th September: 80€/pers - Extra night in BB, single room in Hendaye 15th June-15th September: 115€/pers

The price includes : The price does not include: - Half-board accommodation except day 3 in San - Holiday and travel insurance Sebastian (night only) - Diner and breakfast in St Sebastien - Transfer day 3 - Boat shuttles: D2 (3,60€/pers return journey) and - Museum Guggenheim entrance day 3 (0,70€/pers) - Luggage transfers - Transfer in train to Bilbao day 7 (4,5€/pers) - Dossier containing maps, route notes (1 for 4 - Train from Deba to Zumaia day 6 for comfort+ persons, given in 1st accommodation) version (2,5€/pers) - GPS tracks if you ask us - Drinks and picnics

• TAILOR MADE HOLIDAYS

We can put together a suitable holiday for you taking into account all your specific requests and budget. Many individuals and trekking companies have relied on us for years. With our tailor-made holidays we always aim to provide you with the best quality at the fairest price.

If you want to :

• increase the comfort of your accommodations, Contact us : • change the duration of your trip, Tél : 0033 5 34 14 51 50 • organize additional activities or visits, [email protected] • get a transfer from/to an airport, • organize an extra night

•ORGANIZATION

We propose a self guided, independent formula. You choose your departure date and we will take care of all the rest from the initial meeting time through to the dispersion point. We transport your bags between the accommodations ; we provide the maps and detailed walking route notes sent on the first accommodation. This is a way of enjoying complete flexibility, you dictate the pace and rhythm of your holiday. Moreover, our team will answer all your questions, and will provide all useful advice in order to make this holiday a success.

• TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Some information (without day 1) Maximum ascent :+605m Global ascents: + 2325m Global descents: -2825m Highest point of the section: 450m (Jaizkibel mountain)

Nature of the terrain Easy walking, on good footpaths, the terrain is varied but often rocky. Level 2

This trip is designed for people looking for active holiday. A reasonable level of fitness is required. You will walk between 3 and 6h45 hours a day. Ascent speed : +300m/h.

Walk information

Detail Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Ascent +80m +410m +395m +580m +335 ou 325m +605m Descents -80m -410m -905m -575m -335m ou 320m -600m Walk time* 2h00 5h 6h 6h45 3h45 ou 3h 5h Distance 5,5km 16km 18,5km 21,5km 11 ou 9km 15km *Be advised : the walking duration is given to help you in your choice, but this is an average, not including the stops during the walk, and overall walking duration is just an indication, but can be different between walkers. Guide Self-guided walking, without guide.

Carrying You will need to carry a day sack only and picnic. Our bag-moving service means you can travel light during your walks. Provide an easily transportable tracking baggage (see our advice on equipment)

•ACCOMODATION / FOOD

Accommodation Half board except day 3 (night only) 4 nights in hotel** on days 1, 2, 4 and 6 2 night in hotel* on days 3 and 5

Comfort + version 3 nights in hotel*** on days 1, 2 and 3 1 night in hotel** on day 4 2 nights in a balneo hotel on days 5 and 6

Food - Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, butter, jam) - Evening meals often based on Basque specialties, include a starter, a main course and a dessert - Dinner D4 and breakfast D5 in San Sebastian not included: a wide variety of Pintxos bars and restaurants are waiting for you, this is the reason why we don’t want to force one choice. - Drinks not included

• PRACTICAL INFORMATION

How to get to Hendaye: • By plane : Biarritz Parme Airport (25km) : daily flights to Paris, London, Lyon, and the Clermont Ferrand Hub. • By train : Regular trains TER to Hendaye, from the main cities. Contact the SNCF (36.35, direct call or www.ter-sncf.com for confirmation of timetables) • By car : From Bordeaux A63 motorway, 207km. From Toulouse and Bayonne, A64 motorway, 293km, then Bayonne to Hendaye, A63 motorway, 32km. If you are coming with your own vehicle, we advise you to park it in Hendaye, where you trip starts.

Public transports Information SNCF: 3635 ou www.ter-sncf.com

Practical Information - The Pays-Basque - Béarn Departmental Tourism Committee: Petite Caserne, 2 allée des Platanes - 64100 BAYONNE - tel : +33 (0)5 59 30 01 30 ; [email protected] - Hendaye Tourism Office : 67 bis, Boulevard de la Mer - 64700 HENDAYE – tel : +33 (0)5 59 20 00 34, website : www.hendaye-tourisme.fr - Information SNCF: 3635, or www.ter-sncf.com - Local weather forecast: +33 (0) 8 99 71 02 64 - Mountain rescue : PGHM Oloron-Sainte-Marie, +33 (0) 5 59 10 02 50 -Rescue: 112

How to get back to Hendaye, from Bilbao:

By train: The Spanish Basque coast has a train service provided by the Spanish Basque company EUSKOTREN.

From Bilbao, regular trains to Hendaye, every hour approximatively (with a transfer in the San Sebastian-Amara train station to take the TOPO, which links San Sebastian and Henday). Information and bookings on www.euskotren.eus Example of journey: Departure Bilbao-Atxuri 1pm - transfer Amara 15.38pm - Arriving Hendaye 16.22pm

Possibility of transfer by taxi:

We offer you the opportunity to enjoy a transfer by taxi from Bilbao to Hendaye, for 2 to 4 persons: 205€/transfer. Thank you for booking it when you register for the trip.

•WHAT TO BRING AND PACK

Luggage • A 35L hiking backpack that you will use to carry your personal belongings during the day.

Clothes • 1 sunhat or cap • T-shirts (1 for 2 or 3 walking days). Avoid cotton, very long to dry; rather choose short-sleeved T-shirts (breathable material) in Capilene (Patagonia), Dryflo (Lowe Alpine), Light Effect (Odlo) etc… • 1 base layer (with the same characteristics) or long-sleeved shirt • 1 polar fleece jumper • 1 trekking trousers • 1 comfortable trousers for the evenings • 1 wind and rainproof jacket (Gore-tex type), simple and light • 1 swimwear and towel to go to the spa center. Compulsory if you want to access the health Spa. • Warm underwears • Walking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 walking days). Avoid the « tennis » type socks (cotton), which take a long time to dry and increase the risk of blister; rather choose some Coolmax-based ones. • 1 pair of waterproof ankle hiking boots (Vibram type soles) • 1 pair of comfortable trainers for the evenings

This list should be adapted according to the season you choose

Other little things • 1 high quality sun glasses • 1 water bottle (1 liter minimum) • 1 pocket knife (don’t forget to put in your checked baggage for your flight) • Small toiletry bag and towel • T-roll, suncream, lipstick • For picnics: cutlery, glass and a sealed plastic box

Your own first-aid kit • Your usual medication • Vitamin C or polyvitamin • Pain medication: paracetamol, preferably • Adhesive bandage (Elastoplast-type, 6cm wide) • Adhesive dressings + disinfectant wipes • Blister plasters (Spenco type, available in pharmacies, drugstores, sport stores…)