New walk route in Spain launched in the Basque region

On Foot Holiday’s newest inn-to-inn walk is available from April 2019

On Foot Holidays has announced its second new walking tour for 2019, a route in the Basque Pyrenees in northern Spain which weaves through farmland, woodland and mountain ridges down to the coastal and cultural city of San Sebastian.

From April, 2019, the new, self-guided, inn-to-inn walk gives walkers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beautiful Basque region as they visit mountain-top villages, walk along the French border with a foot in each country, stay in family-run historic hotels and take a boat ride to the walled town of Hondarribia. The announcement comes in the wake of another new route for 2019, in southwest France’s Dordogne region, taking On Foot Holidays’ number of tours to 32, across 12 European countries.

Challenging but rewarding, the eight-night Basque Pyrenees walk begins in the pretty village of Ziga. From there, guests will journey north-west towards the coast as they enjoy the array of views and spot wildlife such as kites, griffon vultures and small, semi-wild ponies called ‘pottokas’. Highlights of the journey include secluded green valleys, ridge-top walking, the elaborate Guadalupe sanctuary, coastal towns tucked into sheltered inlets and bays, as well as opportunities to experience the unique Basque culture, language and architecture.

Crowned the European City of Culture in 2016, San Sebastian provides the perfect finale to the walk, with its sandy beaches, cultural attractions and delicious food providing plenty of opportunities for rest and recuperation after the challenging countryside walk.

Along the way, guests will stay in charming, family-run hotels, with upgrades available that include nights in a former palace and a medieval castle.

The eight-night walking holiday is graded as medium-hard with five to seven hours of walking each day, with shorter and easier options available. The walk is available on dates selected by walkers from April-June and September-October.

Including eight nights’ accommodation, seven breakfasts, five evening meals and all luggage transfers – meaning travellers simply carry a day pack – the route costs from £920 per person, twin-share (approximately A$1636 depending on exchange rates). Seven, six and five-night versions of the self-guided tour are also available.

Payments can be made by via Earthport FX transfer, a system which offers Australians the convenience of paying for walks in Australian dollars at a local bank, saving transfer charges and credit card fees.

Rated one of Europe’s leading self-guided walking tour operators, On Foot Holidays offers 32 self-guided walking tours in 12 countries across Europe. Accommodation and information packs are provided for all the routes and optional guides are available on select itineraries. Walkers select their departure dates, luggage is transferred between inns each day and all routes are designed by locals and tested by staff from On Foot Holidays.

Visit www.onfootholidays.co.uk