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Pyrenees to the Atlantic with San Sebastián

Rugged peaks and pretty villages

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Pyrenees
Pyrenees to the Atlantic with San Sebastián

Experience a real sense of journey as you walk self-guided between the welcoming mountain hotels of the Atlantic Pyrenees, while your luggage is transferred ahead. Traverse verdant hills and traditional villages before ending by the coast in San Sebastián, one of Spain’s loveliest seaside cities.

Pyrenees to the Atlantic with San Sebastián. 9 nights

+44 (0)1653 617001

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Pyrenees to the Atlantic with San Sebastián. 9 nights

+44 (0)1653 617001

Call now

Jump to...
Overview
Gallery
Itinerary
Accommodation
Extend your stay
Prices & travel
Reviews
FAQs

Holiday information

- Holiday type
  
  Walking
- Grade 2-3
  
  Moderate-to-challenging walking on more rugged terrain with significant ascents / descents on most days. Compass skills may be required (check the individual holiday).
  
  Moderate-to-challenging
- Terrain
  
  Trails along broad ridges and across grazing land
- Average carbon footprint
  
  Let's be clear on carbon
  We want you to be able to make an informed choice when deciding on a holiday, and to see how holidays compare in terms of their average carbon footprint. Read our carbon scores page to find out how we calculate it.
  
  104kg CO₂e per person, excluding travel
- Nights
  
  9
- Accommodation
  
  One country inn; two 2-star hotels; two 3-star hotels; three 4-star hotels
- Meals
  
  Breakfast every day, 5 dinners, 6 picnics
- Price (excluding flights)
  
  From £1800pp
- Travel options
  
  We can arrange flights and connecting transfers (or simply the latter); rail travel from London; or a Channel crossing if you are taking your own car. See ‘Prices & Travel’ for details.
- Start
  
  Varies according to season (see Pricing section)
- When you can travel
  - J
  - F
  - M
  - A
  - M
  - J
  - J
  - A
  - S
  - O
  - N
  - D
  The season for this holiday is:
  01 May 2024 - 31 July 2024
  03 September 2024 - 30 September 2024
  01 May 2025 - 31 July 2025
  03 September 2025 - 30 September 2025

A walking holiday in the French Pyrenees

Journey from the heart of the Atlantic Pyrenees to the Spanish coast along inviting footpaths close to the border, and you will enjoy rewarding ascents and satisfyingly full days while discovering the region’s unique landscape, culture and cuisine.

The traditional Basque villages are unlike any other in France, characterised by sturdy, whitewashed houses and courts for pelote (an outdoor game similar to squash), with friendly auberges serving specialities such as mountain cheese with black cherry conserve or the delicious spicy-chicken-and-pepper dish, ‘poulet à la basquaise’.

As you make your way across the high, green hills and verdant valleys, you may well hear the locals conversing in Basque – despite the struggles of the Franco years, Europe’s oldest language is still alive and well – and it’s not uncommon to glimpse beautiful birds of prey in the skies. This part of the Pyrenees is an important migration route for a wide variety of birds: from black kites and honey buzzards in mid-August to marsh harriers and ospreys in September and sparrow hawks, red kites and buzzards in October.

Gallery

St Etienne-de-Baïgorry to Bidarray

The route to Ainhoa

Village of Sare

La Rhune mountain railway

Walking route to Biriatou

Basque house

Local horses known as 'Pottoks'

Hondarribia

Choose from a wide variety of pintxos bars

San Sebastián's seafront promenade

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.

The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

This holiday takes you to altitudes of over 1,000 metres, where temperatures will be cooler than those stated above, which relate to the coast.

Average temperatures and rainfall

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
°C	12	13	14	16	19	22	24	24	23	20	15	12
mm	135	115	113	126	114	85	62	97	115	128	162	142

Arrival

Arrival in St Etienne-de-Baïgorry

Arrival in St Etienne-de-Baïgorry

Night 1: at Hotel Manexenea (where you stay one night).
As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
Day 1

Choice of walks from St Etienne to Bidarray: 8km to 13.5km

Choice of walks from St Etienne to Bidarray: 8km to 13.5km

St Etienne to Bidarray: 13.5km, 6hrs; ascent/descent 1000m
The walk starts with a strenuous ascent first through woodland then through open grazing land to the Harietta Pass on the border with Spain, where you are rewarded with superb views of the Pyrenean chain, and possibly the sighting of a griffon vulture. You then follow the ridge, descending gradually through more pastureland to Bidarray and the Hotel Barberaenea.

Low-level option: 12.5km, 5hrs; ascent/descent 640m
If the weather is poor, a low-level alternative traverses the foothills to the east of the Iparla ridge, connecting hamlets, farms and shepherds’ huts on open moorland and ridges with good views over green valleys.

Road option: 8km, 3hrs; ascent 360m/descent 375m
This route takes place entirely on quiet country roads, which may be suitable if the weather is very poor.

En route to Bidarray

St Etienne to Bidarray: 13.5km

Low-level option: 12.5km
Day 2

Bidarray to Itxassou: 19.5km, 7.5hrs; ascent 1105m/descent 1160m; shorter option: 14km, 5.5hrs; ascent 685m/descent 740m

Bidarray to Itxassou: 19.5km, 7.5hrs; ascent 1105m/descent 1160m; shorter option: 14km, 5.5hrs; ascent 685m/descent 740m

You ascend towards the Spanish border once more and on to the summit of Mount Artzamendi (926 metres), from where, on a clear day, you have views of the High Pyrenees behind you and the Atlantic ahead of you. You then descend through grazing land and expanses of bracken to the River Nive, which you follow to Itxassou, passing the Pas de Roland, a hole in the rock which, according to legend, was cut by Roland to let Charlemagne's army pass through. Your hotel is the Hotel du Fronton. The shorter option bypasses the climb to Artzamendi, and joins the main route as it crosses the Plateau Vert.

Bidarray to Itxassou

Bidarray to Itxassou: 19.5km

Shorter option: 14km
Day 3

Itxassou to Ainhoa: 14.5km, 5.5hrs; ascent 715m, descent 695m

Itxassou to Ainhoa: 14.5km, 5.5hrs; ascent 715m, descent 695m

The route leads uphill through pasture land, passing under the Pic de Mondarrain (749 metres). As you descend, there are good views of the whitewashed villages on the plain below, with the Atlantic beyond. Your destination is the Hotel Argi Eder in Ainhoa, arguably the prettiest of Basque villages.

Enjoy far-reaching views as you make your way to Ainhoa

Itxassou to Ainhoa: 14.5km
Day 4

Ainhoa to Sare: 13km, 4.5hrs; ascent 330m/descent 405m

Ainhoa to Sare: 13km, 4.5hrs; ascent 330m/descent 405m

This is a gentler walk, with fewer ascents and descents than previous days. You follow tracks and country lanes alongside a series of streams, ascending gently to a low ridge which you follow along the Franco-Spanish border, passing a couple of tiny hamlets, before descending into Sare, where you find your next hotel, the Hotel Arraya.

Ainhoa to Sare

Ainhoa to Sare: 13km
Day 5

Sare to Biriatou: 18km, 6hrs; ascent 460m/descent 1250m

Sare to Biriatou: 18km, 6hrs; ascent 460m/descent 1250m

You walk to the station and from here take the cog railway (pay locally) to the summit of La Rhune (900 metres), which affords views of the Bay of Biscay, the forests of Les Landes, and the Pyrenean chain. From the summit, you walk into Spain, crossing the Ibardin Pass back into France for a series of ascents and descents as you walk from pass to pass and on to Biriatou, just a couple of miles from the coast. Here, your hotel is Les Jardins de Bakea.

Peaceful paths lead to Biriatou

La Rhune summit to Biriatou: 15km (total walk distance: 18km)
Day 6

Biriatou to Hondarribia: 17.5km, 6hrs; ascent 395m/descent 830m

Biriatou to Hondarribia: 17.5km, 6hrs; ascent 395m/descent 830m

Today you are taken by taxi across the border to meet a panoramic path overlooking the Spanish port of Hondarribia; follow this coastal path all the way down to the port to reach your next accommodation, the Hotel Obispo.

Your arrival at the sea brings a real sense of achievement and to make this extra special, we recommend upgrading to a more spacious superior room, with views across the bay. Charming Hondarribia sits on the mouth of the River Bidasoa, its modern waterfront hiding the atmospheric Old Town. Wander along the streets of the Barrio de la Marina district to find traditional, wood-beamed Basque houses with flower-bedecked balconies alternating with bars that offer excellent seafood and tasty pintxos (Basque-style tapas).

Walking to the coast

Biriatou to Hondarribia: 17.5km
Day 7

Hondarribia to San Sebastián: 21km, 7.5hrs; ascent 865m/descent 995m

Hondarribia to San Sebastián: 21km, 7.5hrs; ascent 865m/descent 995m

Beginning with a taxi transfer, today’s route is a challenging but highly scenic ridge walk that eventually drops down to the coast at beautiful San Sebastián. Here you stay at the ideally located Hotel Niza, just inches from the sweeping sands of Playa de la Concha.

San Sebastián is one of Europe’s most gastronomic cities, with more Michelin stars per capita than just about anywhere else on the planet. You’ll need to book ahead for these outstanding eateries, or make like the locals and embark on a txititeo (‘pintxo crawl’). Each bar has its own speciality and style – ranging from the rustic to the experimental – and we include a self-guided trail to help you navigate between them.

Your destination - the seaside city of San Sebastián

Hondarribia to San Sebastián: 21km
Day 8

Explore San Sebastián

Explore San Sebastián

On your full day here, you’ll no doubt want to try more of the famous pintxos bars, though we also provide notes for a city walk that takes in the absorbing San Telmo museum (closed Monday), where different aspects of Basque life are showcased via a number of dynamic temporary exhibitions. It’s also well worth riding the city’s century-old funicular to the top of Monte Igueldo for fabulous views over the handsome Belle Epoque architecture, manicured gardens and three golden beaches.

San Sebastián's Belle Epoque architecture

Explore the city's famous pintxos bars

Accommodation

You stay in a different hotel on each of your first seven nights – all are warm, welcoming and comfortable and provide tasty regional cuisine – before finishing with two nights on San Sebastián’s elegant seafront.

Night 1
Hotel Manexenea
St Etienne de Baigorry
- country inn
Rooms here are simple, but Arnaud's warm welcome and the tranquil location amid lush green hills more than compensate. The hotel doesn't have its own on-site restaurant but can offer homemade food, prepared using fresh local produce (pay locally).

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Night 2
Hotel Barberaenea
Bidarray
This rustic family-run hotel is situated in the centre of village near the church. It provides simple, comfortable rooms and serves tasty home cooking.

Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
Extra nights recommended

Take some time out from walking to relax by the hotel's small outdoor pool.

Night 3
Hotel du Fronton
Itxassou
Enjoy a warm welcome and good Basque cuisine at this family-run hotel – with an outdoor swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi – set in the heart of the village.

Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
Extra nights recommended

This delightful hotel is the best place to add extra nights – enjoy the hotel gardens and outdoor swimming pool, and explore the beautiful village of Ainhoa.

Night 4
Hotel Argi Eder
Ainhoa
The friendly Dottax family welcome you to this charming hotel situated at the edge of Ainhoa, one of the prettiest Basque villages – its streets lined with whitewashed houses with red or green shutters so typical of the region. Surrounded by pleasant woodland and lush gardens, there is plenty of space to relax and enjoy the views or to enjoy a dip in the pool. The restaurant (closed Monday and Tuesday) uses local produce to create traditional, yet imaginative, Basque dishes; while the comfortable, cosy rooms are all decorated in a chic, country style, while breakfast is served in the garden in fine weather.

Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
Night 5
Hotel Arraya
Sare
This centuries-old inn is beautifully appointed and very comfortable, with a smart and justifiably popular restaurant (closed Mondays & Tuesdays). The rooms are homely yet stylish, decorated with attractive fabrics and wooden furniture. Facilities include a lounge, a leafy terrace where you can enjoy a drink or a snack, and an outdoor pool.

Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
Extra nights recommended

Take time to relax and enjoy the views across the valley into Spain.

Night 6
Les Jardins de Bakea
Biriatou
Monsieur and Madame Duval are attentive and friendly hosts, and Monsieur Duval is an accomplished chef, too. In warm weather, savour his delicious creations on the terrace, with views across the valley into Spain.

Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
Night 7
Hotel Obispo
Hondarribia
Converted from a beautiful stone house dating from the 15th century, this is a very characterful hotel in the heart of the walled old town. As your stay is on a bed and breakfast basis, you are free to sample one of the many restaurants and tapas bars around the port. To make your stay extra special, we highly recommend upgrading to one of the spacious superior rooms, which enjoy views back to France.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Extra nights recommended

There’s plenty to discover in this lovely seaside city, not least the three glorious golden beaches!

Nights 8-9
Hotel Niza
San Sebastián
With the sweeping sands of Playa de la Concha just inches from its door, the Hotel Niza enjoys one of the very best locations in San Sebastián. Our included rooms are simple in style but all boast grandstand views of the beach and are well equipped. The hotel also has a lounge area and a sea-facing café.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only

Options to extend or shorten your stay

Walking

Pyrenees to the Atlantic

Pyrenees - green mountains, white villages

7 nights, from £1300pp

Enjoy a real sense of achievement – and experience the distinctive culture – as you walk from the heart of the Pyrenees to the Atlantic.

View details

Prices & travel options

All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.

Currency converter

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Prices (£ per person based on 2 sharing)

Walk price

9 nights: 01 May 2024 - 31 July 2024, 03 September 2024 - 30 September 2024, 01 May 2025 - 31 July 2025 & 03 September 2025 - 30 September 2025

Start varies according to season* | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Price	Single room
1 - 22 May 2024	£1810	£320
23 May - 22 Jun 2024	£1855	£320
23 - 25 Jun 2024	£1950	£340
26 Jun - 8 Jul 2024	£1980	£365
9 - 22 Jul 2024	£2035	£365
3 - 14 Sep 2024	£2030	£365
15 - 21 Sep 2024	£1975	£365
1 - 22 May 2025	£1890	£335
23 May - 22 Jun 2025	£1935	£335
23 - 25 Jun 2025	£2060	£370
26 Jun - 8 Jul 2025	£2070	£380
9 - 22 Jul 2025	£2120	£380
3 - 14 Sep 2025	£2110	£380
15 - 21 Sep 2025	£2060	£380
3rd & 4th person discount	-£200 to -£210
Single traveller supplement	£200 to £210

Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

By rail

9 nights: 01 May 2024 - 31 July 2024, 03 September 2024 - 30 September 2024, 01 May 2025 - 31 July 2025 & 03 September 2025 - 30 September 2025

Start varies according to season* | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Price	Single room
1 - 22 May 2024	£2185	£320
23 May - 22 Jun 2024	£2270	£320
23 - 25 Jun 2024	£2385	£340
26 Jun - 8 Jul 2024	£2415	£365
9 - 22 Jul 2024	£2470	£365
3 - 14 Sep 2024	£2410	£365
15 - 21 Sep 2024	£2350	£365
1 - 22 May 2025	£2290	£335
23 May - 22 Jun 2025	£2380	£335
23 - 25 Jun 2025	£2525	£370
26 Jun - 8 Jul 2025	£2530	£380
9 - 22 Jul 2025	£2585	£380
3 - 14 Sep 2025	£2520	£380
15 - 21 Sep 2025	£2460	£380
3rd & 4th person discount	-£270 to -£280
Single traveller supplement	£270 to £280

Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille or Paris, with onward travel as described below.

Included travel from the UK: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Bayonne (TGV), approx. duration 8h plus 0h50 taxi transfer. Home, Hendaye–Paris (TGV), Paris–UK (Eurostar), approx. duration 8h10 plus 1h taxi transfer.
> More about 'by rail' prices
> The 'rail experience': what to expect

If you book your holiday less than 10 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

Self-drive

9 nights: 01 May 2024 - 31 July 2024, 03 September 2024 - 30 September 2024, 01 May 2025 - 31 July 2025 & 03 September 2025 - 30 September 2025

Start varies according to season* | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Price	Single room
1 - 22 May 2024	£2035	£320
23 May - 22 Jun 2024	£2080	£320
23 - 25 Jun 2024	£2175	£340
26 Jun - 8 Jul 2024	£2205	£365
9 - 22 Jul 2024	£2260	£365
3 - 14 Sep 2024	£2255	£365
15 - 21 Sep 2024	£2200	£365
1 - 22 May 2025	£2115	£335
23 May - 22 Jun 2025	£2160	£335
23 - 25 Jun 2025	£2285	£370
26 Jun - 8 Jul 2025	£2295	£380
9 - 22 Jul 2025	£2345	£380
3 - 14 Sep 2025	£2335	£380
15 - 21 Sep 2025	£2285	£380
3rd & 4th person discount	-£425 to -£435
Single traveller supplement	£425 to £435

Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus a return Channel crossing between Folkestone and Calais with LeShuttle for your party and one car.

We also include a transfer back to the first hotel at the end of your holiday to collect your car.
> More information about travelling self-drive

A supplement of approximately £65 per car per single journey applies for travel at key dates over Easter, while from May onwards a supplement of approximately £42 per car per single journey applies for travel over public holidays and at weekends during school holidays. See the self-drive page or contact us for more details.

Room upgrades & extra nights

Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

Hotel Arraya, Sare
'Privilège' with garden view: 01 May - 31 Jul 2024	£22
'Privilège' with garden view: 03 Sep - 30 Sep 2024	£22
'Privilège' with garden view: 01 May - 31 Jul 2025	£23
'Privilège' with garden view: 03 Sep - 30 Sep 2025	£23
'Privilège' with village view: 01 May - 31 Jul 2024	£11
'Privilège' with village view: 03 Sep - 30 Sep 2024	£11
'Privilège' with village view: 01 May - 31 Jul 2025	£11
'Privilège' with village view: 03 Sep - 30 Sep 2025	£11

Les Jardins de Bakea, Biriatou
'Jardin/Prestige Vallée': 01 May - 31 Jul 2024	£20
'Jardin/Prestige Vallée': 03 Sep - 30 Sep 2024	£20
'Jardin/Prestige Vallée': 01 May - 31 Jul 2025	£21
'Jardin/Prestige Vallée': 03 Sep - 30 Sep 2025	£21

Hotel Obispo, Hondarribia
Superior: 01 May - 10 Jul 2024	£33
Superior: 11 Jul - 31 Jul 2024	£29
Superior: 03 Sep - 30 Sep 2024	£29
Superior: 01 May - 10 Jul 2025	£34
Superior: 11 Jul - 31 Jul 2025	£30
Superior: 03 Sep - 30 Sep 2025	£30

Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

Hotel du Fronton, Itxassou (with dinner)	Double room	Single room
01 May - 30 Jun 2024	£110	£130
01 Jul - 31 Jul 2024	£117	£137
03 Sep - 15 Sep 2024	£117	£137
16 Sep - 30 Sep 2024	£110	£130
01 May - 30 Jun 2025	£114	£135
01 Jul - 31 Jul 2025	£122	£143
03 Sep - 15 Sep 2025	£122	£143
16 Sep - 30 Sep 2025	£114	£135

Hotel Argi Eder, Ainhoa (with dinner)	Double room	Single room
01 May - 30 Jun 2024	£135	£194
01 Jul - 31 Jul 2024	£155	£214
03 Sep - 30 Sep 2024	£155	£214
01 May - 30 Jun 2025	£145	£206
01 Jul - 31 Jul 2025	£165	£226
03 Sep - 30 Sep 2025	£165	£226

Les Jardins de Bakea, Biriatou (with dinner)	Double room	Single room
01 May - 12 Jul 2024	£145	£174
13 Jul - 31 Jul 2024	£155	£186
03 Sep - 15 Sep 2024	£155	£186
16 Sep - 30 Sep 2024	£145	£174
01 May - 12 Jul 2025	£155	£185
13 Jul - 31 Jul 2025	£165	£197
03 Sep - 15 Sep 2025	£165	£197
16 Sep - 30 Sep 2025	£155	£185

Hotel Obispo, Hondarribia (B&B)	Double room	Single room
01 May - 30 Jun 2024	£121	£180
01 Jul - 31 Jul 2024	£145	£211
03 Sep - 30 Sep 2024	£145	£211
01 May - 30 Jun 2025	£130	£191
01 Jul - 31 Jul 2025	£155	£224
03 Sep - 30 Sep 2025	£155	£224

Hotel Niza, San Sebastián (B&B)	Double room	Single room
01 May - 30 Jun 2024	£150	£227
01 Jul - 31 Jul 2024	£185	£275
03 Sep - 30 Sep 2024	£185	£275
01 May - 30 Jun 2025	£160	£240
01 Jul - 31 Jul 2025	£195	£289
03 Sep - 30 Sep 2025	£195	£289

Flight options

RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
Biarritz, Bordeaux or Bilbao
As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

Travelling from the UK

Travelling from outside the UK

If you are flying from outside Europe, you may need to fly to an airport not listed here. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

Outward route	Airline
Aberdeen - Bordeaux (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM
Aberdeen - Bordeaux (via Paris)	Air France

Outward route	Airline
Belfast Intl. - Bordeaux	easyJet

Outward route	Airline
Birmingham - Bordeaux (via Paris)	Air France

Outward route	Airline
Bristol - Biarritz	easyJet
Bristol - Bilbao	easyJet
Bristol - Bordeaux	easyJet

Outward route	Airline
Edinburgh - Bilbao (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM
Edinburgh - Bilbao (via Barcelona)	Vueling
Edinburgh - Bordeaux	Ryanair
Edinburgh - Bordeaux (via Paris)	Air France

Outward route	Airline
Glasgow - Bilbao (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM
Glasgow - Bordeaux	easyJet

Outward route	Airline
Liverpool - Bordeaux	easyJet

Outward route	Airline
Gatwick - Biarritz	easyJet
Gatwick - Bilbao	British Airways, easyJet, Vueling
Gatwick - Bordeaux	British Airways, easyJet

Outward route	Airline
Heathrow - Bilbao	British Airways, Iberia, Vueling
Heathrow - Bilbao (via Madrid)	Iberia
Heathrow - Bordeaux	British Airways
Heathrow - Bordeaux (via Brussels)	Brussels Airlines
Heathrow - Bordeaux (via Paris)	Air France

Outward route	Airline
Luton - Bordeaux	easyJet

Outward route	Airline
Stansted - Biarritz	Ryanair
Stansted - Bordeaux	Ryanair

Outward route	Airline
Manchester - Bilbao	easyJet
Manchester - Bilbao (via Barcelona)	Iberia
Manchester - Bilbao (via Heathrow)	Iberia
Manchester - Bordeaux	easyJet, Ryanair
Manchester - Bordeaux (via Paris)	Air France

Outward route	Airline
Newcastle - Biarritz (via Paris CDG)	Air France
Newcastle - Bilbao (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM
Newcastle - Bordeaux (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM
Newcastle - Bordeaux (via Paris)	Air France

Outward route	Airline
Southampton - Bordeaux (via Paris)	Air France

Travelling from outside the UK

If you are flying from outside Europe, you may need to fly to an airport not listed here. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

Connecting travel

Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

Connecting travel options - flying via Bilbao

Outward route	Price per person	Latest flight arrival time
coach Bilbao bus station to Irun bus station (2h25), taxi Irun to hotel (1h30)	£135-£145	1200

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest flight departure time
direct taxi hotel to Bilbao airport (1h15)	£121-£130	flexible
coach San Sebastián bus station to Bilbao airport (1h15)	£24-£25	0830

Connecting travel options - flying via Biarritz

Outward route	Price per person	Latest flight arrival time
direct taxi Biarritz airport to hotel (1h)	£77-£80	flexible

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest flight departure time
direct taxi hotel to Biarritz airport (0h45)	£77-£80	flexible

Connecting travel options - flying via Bordeaux

Outward route	Price per person	Latest flight arrival time
rail Bordeaux St Jean to Bayonne (1h50), taxi Bayonne to hotel (0h50)	£110-£114	1400

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest flight departure time
taxi hotel to Hendaye station (0h30), rail Hendaye to Bordeaux St Jean (2h45)	£77-£80	1500
rail San Sebastián to Hendaye (0h45, pay locally), rail Hendaye to Bordeaux St Jean (2h45)	£37-£38	1500

What is included

9 nights
5 dinners
6 picnics
9 breakfasts
luggage transported
route notes and maps
GPS navigation
transfers on days 6 & 7

Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

Helen and Simon

13 September 2023

We thoroughly enjoyed the walking on this holiday - we took all the longer/higher routes and didn't find them to be difficult walking for us. They were always worth it even though it meant some long walking days. Poles were useful though especially on some of the descents. On a few days there were some quite long stretches on tracks but this didn't spoil the walks. From day 1, we saw lots of ponies and vultures and sweet chestnuts littered the ground. All the travel and transfers worked like clockwork and we enjoyed the choice of hotels. A 1st for us, was meeting other Inntravel walkers on the same walk, so we enjoyed good company most evenings too.
Mr M Tremlett

Axbridge

11 September 2023

One of the best walking holidays we have ever done. Walks challenging but manageable. Hotels in rural France often idyllic and felt beautifully off the beaten track at times
Anon

10 September 2023

This was an excellent holiday with spectacular scenery, challenging walking and great accommodation and food as a reward at the end of each day. Moving from of high ridge walking, with buzzards soaring overhead at the start of the week, through forests of sweet chestnuts and pine trees and ending with coastal views and lounging on the beach at San Sebastian gave a real feeling of the contrasts in this region.

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.

How do self-guided walking holidays work?

We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
Do you provide GPS navigation?

Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
Can I book my flights through Inntravel, and what’s the advantage of doing this?

We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
Can you book travel arrangements for customers from outside the UK?

We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
I’m travelling alone. Is there anything I need to know?

Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
How do I make a booking?

Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

More information about the booking process >
Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
Booking conditions >
Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
Do I need a visa or anything health-related for France?

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to France, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
What else do I need to know about travelling to France?

The official language is French. The currency is the Euro. French time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
Do I need a visa or anything health-related for Spain?

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Spain, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
What else do I need to know about travelling to Spain?

(Castilian) Spanish is one of several official languages; Catalan, Basque and Gallego have equal status in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, respectively. The currency is the Euro. Spanish time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
How does Brexit affect travel to Europe?

For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
Where can I find general travel advice?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Is this holiday suitable for children?

You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.