Featured holiday Across the Basque Country to the Atlantic walking holiday Basque Country, France

You are met at either Biarritz airport or the railway station in St Jean de Luz and transferred to your hotel in the ancient, pilgrimage town of St Jean Pied de Port which sits on the River Nive and is about five miles from the Spanish border. The town is a charming introduction to the architecture of the Basque country with its white-washed houses with their red timber and shutters, wooden balconies and terracotta roofs. Your first night’s accommodation is at the Hotel les Pyrenees, almost in the shadow of the ramparts of the citadel, with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Allow time to check your kit, pack your rucksack and study your guides and map.
Transfer time: Just over an hour

From St Pied de Port, the route this morning takes you first up to the Col d'Ispeguy, the realm of Griffon Vultures, and right on the Spanish border, which provides you with magnificent Pyrenean panoramas (the first of many!). You can then choose from a variety of routes (generally unchallenging) down through hills and valleys to Bidarray. Alternatively, there is an easy walking route between Saint-Martin-de-Arrosa and Bidarray. A memorable first day's walking we promise you. You stay on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis at the attractive, authentic, family run Hotel Barberaenea in Bidarray, renowned for its Basque cuisine, a traditional regional auberge with just nine rooms. A proven favourite. However, if you would prefer to stay at the wonderfully located Hotel Ostape with its own estate, heated swimming pool, and Michelin starred restaurant, in a suite with panoramic views, then do contact us.
Transfer time: 35 mins
Walking distance: 13 kms or 16.5 kms
Walking time: About 4 or 6.5 hrs
Elevation: Plus 400m or 800m, minus 600m or 1300m

This is a superb day's walking through Alpine type pastures (once as much used by smugglers as shepherds) visiting the lovely summit of Artzamendi before descending alongside streams to the marvellous walk-through the ring of rock that is the famous Pas de Roland alongside the river Nive, flanked by wooded hills. Legend has it that Roland, Charlemagne’s nephew, passed along the banks of the Nive in 778 but his path was blocked by a large rock. The story is that either the hoof of his horse created the hole in the rock, or he cut his way through with his sword. You then continue the short distance to the attractive village of Itxassou, famous for its black cherries.
You stay at the charming Hotel de Chêne renowned for its regional authenticity, and the excellence of its cuisine. Dinner, bed and breakfast included.
Walking distance: 12.5 kms or 16 kms
Walking time: About 5hrs or 6.5 hrs
Elevation: Plus 590m or 880m, minus 650m or 890m

Today you can gently climb to the top of Mount Mondarrain - only 2,457 feet, but with stunning views over wave after wave of Pyrenean heights. Truly memorable. Then you stroll through high pastures and valleys down to the archetypal Basque village of Espelette that has been conserved superbly, has an interesting chateau and church, and an exceptional artisan chocolate producer (Antton), but is really famous for its red peppers, which you can see drying outside houses and shops in the summer. This pepper is either used whole or ground into a hot powder and is used in the production of Bayonne ham. There is a festival on the last Sunday in October to honour the peppers.
You stay at the Hotel Chilhar, a real treat in the heart of Espelette. Outside it is traditional Basque but iside it offers boutique style accommodation, and wonderfully contemporary takes on traditional Basque cuisine. Dinner, bed and breakfast.
Distance: About 16 km
Time: About 4 hrs 45mins
Elevation: Plus 620m, minus 760m

This is a foothills’ day with wonderful walking through villages and hamlets, and along country lanes and farm tracks - the remarkable village of Ainhoa being the highlight. The walking is easy today through beautiful rural countryside but interspersed with interesting places to see and things to do, not least from tempting artisan producers of foods, drinks, arts and crafts. You stay in Sare, which has 253 houses dating back to the 15th century, and rests almost in the shadow of La Rhune (which you will climb tomorrow). Sare is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The village is centred about the Place du Fronton, which is the place where the traditional Basque sport of pelota is played, with wo players and a ball. The shutters of the houses here are painted in red and green, the colours of the Basque flag. The Hotel Arraya is a superb 4-star hotel in a privileged location in the village that combines a historic building with boutique luxury and exceptional "cuisine terroir".
Distance: About 19 kms
Time: About 5 hrs 30 mins or 6 hrs 30 mins
Elevation: Plus 620m, minus 760m

Your final panoramic highlight is at the summit of La Rhune with its 360 degree views east towards the endless Pyrenees you have crossed, south into Spain, and west to the Atlantic coast. You can walk up - a steady walk that's perfectly "do-able" - or take the magnificent rack railway, its wooden carriages slowly clattering their way to the top. Look out for pottoks - wild mountain ponies - and red headed sheep. Then you can enjoy the walk down until you arrive at the pretty village of Ascain - your last Basque village. From here you will be driven the short distance by car to St Jean de Luz on the coast.
St Jean de Luz is a fine fishing port, historic centre and beach resort on the Atlantic coast at the point where the Pyrenees reach the sea. It has a wonderful selection of resturants, many offering tapas as well as excellent fish dishes. You stay in the middle of the town at the comfortable, boutique Hotel les Almadies on a bed and breakfast basis, so you can choose your own restaurant for the final night.
Transfer time: 20 Mins
Distance: 10.5 kms or 15 kms
Time: About 3 hrs 30 mins or 6 hrs
Elevation: Plus 500m or minus 880m or 840m

You are transferred to the railway station in St Jean de Luz or to the airport in Biarritz.