Pintxos, green mountains and old railway lines turned into traffic-free bike paths. This self-guided loop explores the Basque Country by bike, from San Sebastián’s La Concha along the Vías Verdes of the Bidasoa and Plazaola to Pamplona, Hemingway’s Lekunberri and the surf town of Zarautz, with tunnels, river valleys and Michelin-level food.
San Sebastián & Pamplona at a glance
| Format | Self-guided, with daily luggage transfers |
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Distance | About 300 km (38–73 km a day) |
| Level | Leisure to intermediate |
| Bike | Gravel |
| Hotels | 3★ and 4★ |
| Best season | March to November |
| Price | From 1,399 € per person |
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival in San Sebastián
Settle in and ride up Monte Igeldo, a 5 km climb loved by local cyclists, for the classic view over La Concha. Evening in the old town’s pintxo bars.
Day 2 · San Sebastián to Doneztebe
63 km · 1,100 m
Along the Urumea river to the Arditurri greenway, over the hills to Irun and then 35 km on the Bidasoa Vía Verde, gently uphill and full of tunnels.
Day 3 · Doneztebe to Pamplona
65 km · 1,200 m
Most of the day’s climbing comes early, up to the Puerto de Gorostieta (825 m), then a mostly downhill ride to a hotel on Pamplona’s Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
Day 4 · Pamplona to Lekunberri
48 km · 650 m
Across the Navarre market gardens along the Arga and Arakil rivers, then the Plazaola greenway to Lekunberri, where Hemingway escaped the San Fermín crowds.
Day 5 · Lekunberri to Zarautz
73 km
Mostly downhill on the Plazaola through countless tunnels, then the climb of Monte Kareaga through Asteasu and Aia and a descent to the surf beach of Zarautz.
Day 6 · Zarautz to San Sebastián
38 km · 700 m
Short but not easy: Monte Igeldo from the west, with views over Zarautz bay, and back to San Sebastián to close the loop.
Day 7 · Departures
Fly home from San Sebastián or Bilbao.
What’s included
- 6 nights in 3★ and 4★ hotels with breakfast
- Daily luggage transfers
- Telephone assistance
- GPS routes and digital roadbook
- Optional: bike rental, private and airport transfers, extra nights
When to go and who it is for
From March to November; spring and autumn are greenest and quietest, while July brings San Fermín to Pamplona. The Vías Verdes make most kilometres easy, with a few honest climbs, so it suits leisure cyclists, families and food lovers.
Ready to ride?
See full details, dates and prices on the San Sebastián & Pamplona tour page.
Need a bike? Rent a road, gravel or e-bike from our Barcelona shop, or bring your own. Want to change the dates, upgrade hotels or ride it as a private group? Get in touch and we will tailor it for you.
