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CYCLING TOUR

San Sebastián & Pamplona Leisure: Vías Verdes

ORIGIN - DESTINATION

San Sebastián

TOTAL DISTANCE

300 km

DAILY AVERAGE

60 km / 950 m

DAYS

6 days, 6 nights

DIFFICULTY

Leisure - intermediate

Description

What to Expect

Discover the Basque Country by bike on this circular tour starting and ending in glamorous San Sebastián, home to the stunning La Concha beach and a legendary pintxo scene.

From the golden sands of Donostia, the route climbs Monte Igeldo before tracing the Urumea river toward Irún, linking up with the traffic-free Vías Verdes—converted railway paths through tunnels and river valleys.

Ride onward through the mountain pass at Puerto de Gorostieta (825m) to Pamplona, sleeping steps from the famous Plaza del Ayuntamiento, then continue through Navarra’s fertile farmland to Lekunberri, where Hemingway once found refuge from the San Fermín crowds.

The journey continues via more converted rail paths and the climb of Monte Kareaga through picturesque Basque villages before descending to the surf town of Zarautz.

A final day of rolling hills and coastal views brings you back to San Sebastián, closing the loop on a ride blending Michelin-starred food, dramatic coastline, and quiet green mountains.

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Duration

6 days, 6 nights

Terrain

Gravel

Daily average

60 km / 950 m

Total distance

300 km

Total elevation gain

5,000 m

Level

Leisure - Intermediate

Hotels

Region

Navarra, Basque Country

Season

March to November

Price per person

1,399€

30% deposit reservation Discounts for members or repeat travelers.

Price based on group of 6 riders on double occupancy rooms.

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Itinerary

The tour in detail

Welcome to San Sebastián!
 
Tucked into a perfect crescent bay on Spain’s Basque coast, it’s famous for La Concha, often called one of Europe’s most beautiful urban beaches, with golden sand and calm turquoise water framed by green hills. The old town is a maze of narrow streets packed with pintxo bars, where locals hop from spot to spot grazing on incredible small bites and local wine.
 
Add a laid-back surf scene, Michelin-starred dining, and a dramatic coastal walk out to the lighthouse on Monte Igueldo, and you’ve got a city that’s equal parts beach town, food capital, and elegant seaside escape.
It’s the kind of place people fall in love with after just one visit.
 
The route takes you up mount Igeldo, a classic lookout spot in San Sebastián, well known by local cyclists. After a stroll along the coast, you start climbing up the hill. 5Km climb with 230m of elevation will take you up to the highest point before making your way back into the city through bike lanes.
 

Accommodation Example: Hotel Eurostars Amara 4*

Today is the first proper day of the adventure!
the route leaves San Sebastian along Urumea river, linking small roads and bike lanes until joining Via Verde Arditurri.
After leaving the via verde, the first challenge of the day awaits: thehills between San Sebastián and Irún. In Irun, the route links with Via Verde del Bidasoa for 35kms. Always uphill, this is the first taste of the Basque Vias Verdes: traffic free paved and unpaved paths, following a river, and full of tunnels!
Today is mostly uphill but very gentle, barely noticeable.
 

Accommodation Example: Balneario de Elgorriaga 3*

Distance: 63 km | Elevation: 1100 m

Today leave the Vias Verdes behind and we will ride mostly on small backroads.
We start climbing almost from the hote’ls door, accumulating almost the totality of today’s elevation gain in the first 25 kms.
After reaching the highest point (Puerto de Gorostieta-Orokieta, 825m) of the tour at km 28, we have a mostly flat and downhill ride towards Pamplona.
 
Your hotel for tonight is located right in the cneter of Pamplona, in the mytical Plaza del Ayuntamiento, well known for San Fermín’s “Chupinazo”, the celebration that gives start to one of Spain’s most famous tradition.
 

Accommodation Example: Hotel Pompaelo SPA 4*
 Distance: 65 km | Elevation: 1200 m

Today we leave Pamplona across the “huerta de Navarra” fields. Following Arga & Arakil rivers until Irirzun, the first leg of the ride is mostly flat along bike lanes and small backroads. At km33, we will take the old road to San Sebastián linking with the via verde until Lekunberri, our rest place for tonight.
 
Hotel Ayestaran is well known for Ernest Hemingway’s stay in 1930 to 1950, which became his rest place to escape San Fermín crowds and enjoy some quiet days in Sierra de Aralar.
 

Accommodation Example: Hotel Ayestarán
 Distance: 48 km | Elevation: 650 m

Leaving Lekunberri, the ride is mostly downhill until Andoain at km 40. Uncountable tunnels give a sense of adventure as we keep on following via verde del Plazaola, completely traffic-free.
 
Once in Andoain, the challenge of today is to climb Monte Kareaga (9km, 420m) on the road through quaint basque villages such as Asteasu and Aia.
The last 18kms point downhill towards the Cantabric Sea and the surf town of Zarautz.
 

Accommodation Example: Hotel Ur Bare 4*
 Distance: 73 km | Elevation: 1100 m

The shortest ride of the tour, but not to be taken lightly.
The day starts by climbing to Monte Igeldo from the west side, which will offer panoramic views to Zarautz’s bay.
The greenery and small roads give way to a series of bike lanes and rolling hills before reaching San Sebastian and closing the loop!
 

Accommodation Example: Hotel Eurostars Amara 4*
 Distance: 38 km | Elevation: 700 m

It’s sadly time to say goodbye!

Book your onward travels from San Sebastián or Bilbao’s airports.

What’s included

Self Guided

Transfers

  • Luggage transfers every day

Support

  • Telephone assistance

Accommodation & Meals

  • 6 nights in 3* hotels
  • Daily breakfast

Optional extras

  • Private transfers
  • Airport transfers
  • Extra nights at the start or end of the tour
  • Bike rental and accesories

Reviews

What our clients have to say about us

Bike rental

Pick up and ride. We’ll take care of the rest.

Rent Bikes
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Rent Gravel

Versatile bikes designed to combine paved roads, tracks, and dirt paths with comfort and stability.

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Road

Lightweight and fast, built for long distances and high performance on asphalt.

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Mountain

Ideal for off-road routes, trails, and technical terrain. Maximum control and safety beyond the pavement.

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Hybrid

Comfortable and practical, combining the best of city and road bikes. Ideal for leisure rides, commuting, and relaxed routes.

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Electric

Pedal-assist bikes that help you go further with less effort. Perfect for long routes, elevation gain, or enjoying the ride at your own pace.

FAQS

Some of your questions might be resolved here

We offer a wide range of cycling tours in Spain, Europe, Morocco and soon in South and Central America including gravel bike tours, road cycling holidays, e-bike tours, guided cycling trips, and self-guided bike adventures. Each itinerary is carefully designed to combine scenic routes, quality accommodations, and authentic local experiences.Can you imagine discovering new routes, meeting people who share your passion, and enjoying unique experiences on two wheels? Our cycling routes and events community is the perfect place for those who believe riding is more than just a sport — it’s freedom, adventure, and connection.
On a guided cycling tour, you ride with an experienced local guide and support vehicle, with full logistical coordination throughout the trip. On a self-guided cycling tour, you ride independently using our GPS routes and digital roadbook, while we handle accommodation bookings, luggage transfers, and on-call support. Both options provide a seamless and fully organized experience.
Yes. Most of our gravel and road cycling tours are designed for cyclists with a moderate fitness level. Daily distances and elevation gains are clearly indicated for each itinerary, and we offer e-bike options for riders who prefer additional support on climbs or longer stages. We believe cycling is for everyone who wants to do it, therefore we have lots of different tours options whatever your level is.
Yes, we can customize any of our itineraries to your needs or interests. We can shorten or extend them, include a visit to any special destination that you don’t want to miss or make sure the route goes through that climb you always dreamt of.
Our cycling tour packages typically include selected hotels, daily luggage transfers, GPS navigation, detailed route notes, a welcome briefing, and ongoing support. Guided tours also include a professional cycling guide and support vehicle. Bike rental (road, gravel, or e-bike) is available or included depending on the itinerary.
We specialize in riding all year round. If you want to ride in winter, Morocco or southern Spain are ideal. Spring and Autumn offer lots of possibilities since the weather is great for riding in numerous places. In the peak of the summer, Northern Europe and the high mountain passes ofthe Alps and Pyrenees are the places to go.
We carefully select high-quality 3★ and 4★ hotels, rural boutique properties, and iconic stays such as Paradores or spa hotels (depending on the itinerary). All accommodations are chosen for comfort, character, and strategic cycling locations.

We classify our tours into four difficulty categories to help you choose the right experience:
Leisure: Shorter daily distances, moderate terrain, and relaxed pacing. Ideal for recreational riders or mixed-ability groups.
Intermediate: Balanced stages with regular climbs and moderate elevation gain. Suitable for cyclists who ride regularly and are comfortable with back-to-back riding days.
Advanced – Longer distances, sustained climbs, and higher elevation gain. Designed for experienced cyclists seeking a physical challenge.
Epic – Demanding routes featuring mountain stages, significant elevation, and longer days on the saddle. Perfect for strong, performance-oriented riders looking for a serious challenge.

Contact

We answer all your questions

Looking for a custom tour?

We’re not afraid to explore new regions, and we’re always eager to cycle through countries we haven’t visited before. This allows us to expand our offerings and introduce our clients to the destinations that interest them most. Since 2005, we’ve cycled extensively through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, and Portugal, and we’re now looking to add new countries to our experience and catalog, such as Ireland, Norway, Finland, and Slovenia.
Let’s plan it together
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