Biarritz to San Sebastian
Following the Côte d'Argent through the Bayonne and Biarritz conurbation and onwards following the coast via
Bidart and Guéthary to St Jean-de-Luz.
And after St Jean-de-Luz comes the Corniche Basque. This road takes you along the coast where the
Pyrenees meet the Atlantic. In truth not much of a climb, and certainly no need to get off and walk. If you are
really lucky (as we were) or actually plan then you may find your visit coinciding with the La Fête de la Corniche
when it is closed to all vehicles for the weekend and people walk/cycle along a traffic free road.
and finally to the border town of Hendaye.
Across the river to Spain at Irun. From Irun to San Sebastian the terrain is very hilly. And just by chance there is
a narrow gauge railway that runs along the whole length of the North Spanish coast through the mountains, and
actually starts in France at Hendaye.
The road from Irun up to San Sebastian is a hilly and busy road, even cutting through the quiet road to Lezo is
not exactly a highlight! And we found ourselves travelling the wrong way down a slip road to get into San
Sebastian. Not a great entrance to the town. It is not easy and if repeating the journey we would probably board
the Euskotren as soon as we arrived in Spain at Irun.
But finally the triumphant finish at the sea front in San Sebastian.
San Sebastian is incredibly busy and lively…
... and the tapas bars are great fun.
San Sebastian to Home
The Euskotren runs to Bilbao. It cost just 6.20 Euros and like the Feve from Bilbao to Santander there is space
for bikes at the end of each of the small carriages. Bikes cost nothing extra. This compares to the two spaces
on a whole of a Virgin train in the UK that have to be booked in advance.
The almost 3 hour journey stops at some 30 stations and takes you effortlessly through the stunning mountain
scenery. This is an hourly service (unlike the Feve from Bilbao)
At Bilbao you can enjoy the Guggenheim Museum but it was difficult not to be underwhelmed and we found it
slightly pretentious.
We would have preferred to have spent an extra day in San Sebastian rather than moving on quickly to Bilbao
which fell short of being an expected highlight.
From Bilbao it is necessary to find the next narrow gauge railway, the Feve, which is very similar to the
Euskotren and for 7 Euros is another 3 hour journey and some 30 stations through more mountains. Watch the
timetables though. The Feve only runs three services a day. Whereas the Euskotren runs hourly.
And so to the pleasant seaside town of Santander ...
... and the start of the 24 hour cruise to Plymouth ....
... passing the Eddystone Lighthouse as dawn is breaking
There were stops required on the way…
... but the 8 to 9 Euro menus for a 4-course simple traditional French lunch with wine could sustain Desperate
Dan for the whole day!
And the sign that can be found in any small town was always a welcome sight at around 1pm - 1.30pm for a
well-earned relaxing 2 hour lunch. There was never any rush!
Apart from rest days for the launderette etc, the journey just involved 14 actual days of cycling for just under
600 miles. It is only an average of 42 miles a day ie 8 miles an hour for five hours a day. Not exactly taxing!
If these photos and descriptions of this journey and the other journey described on the website to Montpellier
have inspired anyone to consider something similar, and should you want more information and help to enable
you to plan a similar adventure please contact us. We gathered a great deal of research material not only to
prepare for these trips but also collected en route. Both journeys were an absolute joy, and for anyone who
loves France, the culture, cuisine, climate and way of life, the cycle trips ideally complement the slow pace of
life, ensure that you take-in everything and miss absolutely nothing, and provide many opportunities to meet
and chat to many people on the way. Perfect for the Autumn months when it starts to become colder and can
become dreary here in the UK but where the weather remains warm in France and is settled. And as Roger said
to me when we arrived at Spain….'I can't believe how easy that was!!'
Always happy to talk about these journeys. Phil Parker 01934 862818
And so au revoir et bonne route from your
two correspondents.
Following the Côte d'Argent through the Bayonne and Biarritz conurbation and onwards following the coast via
Bidart and Guéthary to St Jean-de-Luz.
And after St Jean-de-Luz comes the Corniche Basque. This road takes you along the coast where the
Pyrenees meet the Atlantic. In truth not much of a climb, and certainly no need to get off and walk. If you are
really lucky (as we were) or actually plan then you may find your visit coinciding with the La Fête de la Corniche
when it is closed to all vehicles for the weekend and people walk/cycle along a traffic free road.
and finally to the border town of Hendaye.
Across the river to Spain at Irun. From Irun to San Sebastian the terrain is very hilly. And just by chance there is
a narrow gauge railway that runs along the whole length of the North Spanish coast through the mountains, and
actually starts in France at Hendaye.
The road from Irun up to San Sebastian is a hilly and busy road, even cutting through the quiet road to Lezo is
not exactly a highlight! And we found ourselves travelling the wrong way down a slip road to get into San
Sebastian. Not a great entrance to the town. It is not easy and if repeating the journey we would probably board
the Euskotren as soon as we arrived in Spain at Irun.
But finally the triumphant finish at the sea front in San Sebastian.
San Sebastian is incredibly busy and lively…
... and the tapas bars are great fun.
San Sebastian to Home
The Euskotren runs to Bilbao. It cost just 6.20 Euros and like the Feve from Bilbao to Santander there is space
for bikes at the end of each of the small carriages. Bikes cost nothing extra. This compares to the two spaces
on a whole of a Virgin train in the UK that have to be booked in advance.
The almost 3 hour journey stops at some 30 stations and takes you effortlessly through the stunning mountain
scenery. This is an hourly service (unlike the Feve from Bilbao)
At Bilbao you can enjoy the Guggenheim Museum but it was difficult not to be underwhelmed and we found it
slightly pretentious.
We would have preferred to have spent an extra day in San Sebastian rather than moving on quickly to Bilbao
which fell short of being an expected highlight.
From Bilbao it is necessary to find the next narrow gauge railway, the Feve, which is very similar to the
Euskotren and for 7 Euros is another 3 hour journey and some 30 stations through more mountains. Watch the
timetables though. The Feve only runs three services a day. Whereas the Euskotren runs hourly.
And so to the pleasant seaside town of Santander ...
... and the start of the 24 hour cruise to Plymouth ....
... passing the Eddystone Lighthouse as dawn is breaking
There were stops required on the way…
... but the 8 to 9 Euro menus for a 4-course simple traditional French lunch with wine could sustain Desperate
Dan for the whole day!
And the sign that can be found in any small town was always a welcome sight at around 1pm - 1.30pm for a
well-earned relaxing 2 hour lunch. There was never any rush!
Apart from rest days for the launderette etc, the journey just involved 14 actual days of cycling for just under
600 miles. It is only an average of 42 miles a day ie 8 miles an hour for five hours a day. Not exactly taxing!
If these photos and descriptions of this journey and the other journey described on the website to Montpellier
have inspired anyone to consider something similar, and should you want more information and help to enable
you to plan a similar adventure please contact us. We gathered a great deal of research material not only to
prepare for these trips but also collected en route. Both journeys were an absolute joy, and for anyone who
loves France, the culture, cuisine, climate and way of life, the cycle trips ideally complement the slow pace of
life, ensure that you take-in everything and miss absolutely nothing, and provide many opportunities to meet
and chat to many people on the way. Perfect for the Autumn months when it starts to become colder and can
become dreary here in the UK but where the weather remains warm in France and is settled. And as Roger said
to me when we arrived at Spain….'I can't believe how easy that was!!'
Always happy to talk about these journeys. Phil Parker 01934 862818
And so au revoir et bonne route from your
two correspondents.
