Review of the Basque country

The area

This part of Spain is very different from most of the country being very green. There is great variety in the area covered by these walks with first-rate hills and a lovely rocky coastline, full of character. There are some fine sandy beaches and an area of coastal marsh that is excellent for birds. The Urdaibai Bird Center by the coastal marsh was exceptionally good. We only met Spanish people on the walks and had the impression that visitors from overseas were most unusual except in the larger towns.¨

The walking:

"The hill we climbed on the first day was stunning, such that we did not expect the other days to be anywhere near so good. We were wrong; the rest of the holiday lived up to the promise of the start but with an amazing amount of variety. The conclusion of the final day, with a short climb to a hermitage on a rocky island in the sea reached by a causeway, was spectacular.¨

Route materials:

¨The maps were accurate, well-drawn and clear; the notes were easy to use and to the point. Everything had been very well thought through and route finding was never a problem. The background booklet provided all the information anyone could possibly want.¨

Hotels and food:

¨The Basque people were very welcoming and hospitable, going out of their way to be helpful. The accommodation and hosts gave us just what we needed at the end of each day and the local food, especially the seafood and tapas, was most enjoyable¨

Christine and Alan (UK) May 2017

Slow Tours offers a number of other Walking Tours in Europe and a fabulous Gourmet Food Tour in the Basque country