Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

Great Hikes & Cuisine of Basque Country MOUNTAIN TRAILS AND ANCIENT CULTURES OF EUSKADI

The spirited Basque country is a world apart, with its own ancient language, celebrated cuisine, and emerald mountains offering some

of the most gorgeous hiking in all Spain. On our captivating hiking and cultural adventure, we follow smugglers’ paths into hidden valleys where sheep and horses graze, and cross spectacular high trails to travel from Spain into France—on foot! Eating well is the second religion of the Basques, and between our hikes, we’ll enjoy a cooking class, sip superb red Rioja wines, sample tangy cheeses, and savor dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Ongi etorri! (Welcome!) Days 1-5 Bilbao / La Rioja / Cantabrian Mountains / Navarre High Country Basque lore and legend is all around us on hikes amid the hidden rock labyrinths of Gorbea Natural Park and the limestone peaks and lush meadows of Urkiola National Park. In the steep and craggy Cantabrian Mountains, our trails lead to a 1,000-year-old castle of the former kingdom of Navarre and in the footsteps of mountain tribes who settled here 6,000 years ago. On one afternoon, we’ll join a private cooking class of La Rioja specialties or taste wines with a master winemaker, in the cellar of our charming hotel. Days 6-7 High Route of the Pyrenees From Roncesvalles Pass, where the Basques defeated Charlemagne’s army in 778, we hike right into France

“This was my first Wilderness Travel trip—I am impressed! I can't think of a better way to see this country. Everything about the experience was superlative.”

ILPO MUSTO

Harry J., San Francisco CA

on the spectacular Pyrenees High Route, passing mysterious stone megaliths, then head back into Spain and the remote Aldudes Valley, where a much-prized cured ham is produced. Days 8-10 Bidarray, France / Hondarribia, Spain On the grassy slopes of Mt. Atxuria, we retrace the smugglers’ trail used by armies that fought in the 19th century Spanish civil wars. Our last hike is along the cliffs of Hendaye, France, where mountains spill into the sea amid hidden islands and coves that were once the secret refuge of Basque witches. From our hotel in the colorful fishermen’s quarter of Hondarribia, we join the locals for the tradition of txikiteo , or pintxo -bar-hopping, in the town’s tavernas. Depart on Day 10.

HIGHLIGHTS • Experience the unique Basque heritage with visits to pilgrimage sites and local bodegas • Hikes include forested trails that lead to monasteries and ridge walks past ancient stone monuments • Savor a Welcome Dinner at a Michelin- starred restaurant • Private wine tastings, cooking class, and picnics including renowned Basque cheeses • Charming hotels, including a Baroque manor house, a historic grain mill-turned- hotel, and a family-run riverside inn DETAILS • 10-day trip begins in Bilbao and ends in Hondarribia • 9 nights historic hotels and inns • All meals included except 3 dinners

Our native Basque Trip Leaders love sharing their regional culture and cuisine—and they’ll make you feel right at home! PHOTO: JOAN MERCADAL

DATES May 22-31, 2018

Aug 28-Sep 6

Jun 19-28

Sep 18-27

TRIP COST $5595 (11-15 members) $5995 (4-10 members) Single supplement: $550

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 + 4 5 6 7 9 hiking days on moderate trails, some steep sections, 3-6 hours a day, van support

BRIAN MCGILLOWAY

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS, VISIT WWW.WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/EUROPE 58