Basque Coast – Day 7 – BasqueMTB Pyrenees Mountain Bike

Post author:Sharon
Post published:October 27, 2018
Post category:2018 / Europe

Mountains of Single Track in Spain

BasqueMTB in the Basque Coast, Fall 2018

Locations were Val D’Aran – Day 1 || Benasque – Day 2 and Day 3 || Ainsa – Day 4 || Biescas Day 5 and Day 6 || Basque Coast

With all the great places in the World to ride its tough to choose where to go for your next Mountain Bike Vacation. The Basque Coast of Northern Spain offers a unique experience of coastal riding and amazing food. The Basque has a unique history and some locals do not consider themselves Spanish. Throughout history their culture has been isolated due to the geography of the area which enhances their independent nature. The Basque Coasties are developing a mountain bike culture and the trails that go along with it. And the FOOD! How are these people not fat?

We stayed in the town of Hondarribia at the Bista Eder. A very nice house that runs as a B&B. It is about a 20 minute walk into town where all the restaurants are. There is a closer store as well if you need snacks and don’t want to walk into town. In the main square are many Tapas bars. For dinner we would just walk to town, go into one of them, order a couple of Tapas and a Zurito ( little Lee beer), finish this and go off to the next Tapas. After doing this 2-3 or more times you’re full. Great way to have dinner!

We rode in three areas – Local trails near Irun, the Natural Park Artizutza and the coastal trail that that goes from Hondarribia to San Sebastian.

Check out our BasqueMTB Trip in the Pyrenees.

Three Days on the Basque Coast

Our trusty shuttle Steed

Our first day was shuttling some local trails. While these trails are signed, it is not obvious to figure out the best way to ride them without a guide.

Natural trails – Photo by Wayne Bernkoff

Steve chasing down Lee

Calm before the storm.

Hail! I was expecting sun in Spain!

Little sleet doesn’t deter the North Shore guy!

Borja is ok with it too!

Cool relics in the forest

Riding through some old tunnels

That evening we walked into Hondarribia, it has an escalator in the city! We ate some Tapas, walked around and headed back to Bista Eder

An escalator!

Back of the Bista Eder. There is a pool, but it was too rainy for us to use it.

‘
The Tapas scene is amazing! I wish they had these in the Craft Breweries in Vancouver! Tapas at Zabala one of the 100’s or so on this street! and a Zurito! (Little Lee Beer)

Lee’s favorite place – A Bakery!

Breakfast at Bista Eder

Then we did a ride along the coast

All climbs were via the Basque MTB Van!

Dinner again in Hondarribia at another Tapas bar

The next day we did a ride in the Artikutza Natural Park. It is protected as it provides water to the town of San Sebastian and surrounding areas. Access is restricted and you need a permit to recreate is some areas.