Basque Country Walks

09/01/2024

I now have some more copies on sale of my guide "Basque Country of Spain and France" in the Sunflower Guides Landscape series, after running out of stock of the initial batch. This latest (4th) edition has new features including free downloadable GPS tracks and satnav guidance to walk starting points for motorists. It's also available from local bookshops in Donostia and from the main tourist office.
In the UK it's stocked at Foyles, Daunt, Stanfords and larger branches of Waterstones, among other fine bookshops. Please contact (pm) me directly if you would like me to keep aside a (signed) copy for you!

25/07/2023

The new, 4th edition of my book "Basque Country of Spain and France" in the Sunflower Guides Landscape series is now out, with new features including free downloadable GPS tracks and satnav guidance to walk starting points for motorists. I have some copies myself for sale and it's also available from local bookshops in Donostia and from the main tourist office.

In the UK it's stocked at Foyles, Daunt, Stanfords and should be at larger branches of Waterstones, among other fine bookshops, and is also available via https://www.amazon.co.uk/

Pdf downloads of the book can also be ordered directly from:

This guidebook to walking the Basque Country describes 52 walks and 8 car tours. Best months for hiking the Basque Country are May-Oct.

20/12/2021

The first weekend with a nice blue sky for some time meant that Basque Country Walks was out and about checking new routes for 2022. The destination (Urreako Haitzak, on the edge of the Siera de Aralar) is one of our popular routes, but a nice alternative to the regular route we usually take is from the hillside village of Azkarate, with a slight detour to an interesting collection of rustic art in the forest nearby. Total time needed to complete the loop from Azkarate including detour: 2h30min approx.

28/06/2021

Wildside Holidays has a fantastic page that contains all kinds of information about walking and wildlife holidays in Spain, together with a whole range of activities including wolf and bear watching!!! It's a great source of information.
They have also been kind enough to add some information on their website about Basque Country Walks!!!
https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/basque-country-walks/

Basque Country Walks offer half-day and full-day guided walks to some of the most beautiful yet hidden corners of the Basque Country

17/05/2021

A nice, varied loop from the Aritxulegi tunnel on the Gipzukoa/Nafarroa border to the Bianditz ridge, the Domiko and San Antón reservoirs and forest within the Peñas de Aia Nature Park, and the 'Aita Donostia" hilltop stele - departure point only just over half an hour's drive from the city

16/04/2021

A magical circuit of only 2h to 2h30min just a 20 minute drive from Donostia city centre, to the Landarbaso area: a delightful walk beside a stream, the Aizpitarte cave system and an exhilarating return ridge walk over the top of the little-frequented summit of Igorin - a small peak of modest height but one that affords fine views down to the coast.

09/04/2021

Third and final hike over the Easter hols before new restrictions on movement came into force, this time back to Alava/Araba for some exploration around the giant cave entrance of La Leze and a loop over and above the ridge above it, with great views over the Llanada Alavesa/Plain of Alava

06/04/2021

Another classic Easter hike, a firm favourite of Basque Country Walks: a loop around one of the lesser known parts of the region, the Aramaio valley, sometimes referred to as the "Little Basque Switzerland". This circuit has everything: incredible views, bucolic villages, magical forest, and the limestone massif of Mt. Orisol. Many thanks to Fiona Kennedy for the photo contribution.

04/04/2021

An amazing day hike from Araotz, near Oñati, to the Aitzulo cave, the viewpoint over Urkulu and surrounding mountains, the bucolic valley of Degurixa and the summit of Andarto. Many thanks to Sheila Fritz for the top class guiding services!

22/03/2021

2 magnificent walks in one day to the highest point of the Bizkaia coastal region, Illunzar, and to the nearby mountaintop chapel of Santa Eufemia. Illunzar: 3h approx loop from the village of Narbarniz; Santa Eufemia: between 45min and 1h each way either from Markina or from the mountain road between Markina and Aulesti.

16/01/2021

3rd visit up to the snow in 2021, this time on one of the most popular hikes arranged by Basque Country Walks: to the San Adrian tunnel at about 1000m, below Mt Aitzkorri.