{"id":192,"date":"2026-04-23T18:32:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T16:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/?p=192"},"modified":"2026-04-23T18:32:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T16:32:52","slug":"cycling-trip-in-the-basque-country-read-my-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/en\/2026\/04\/23\/cycling-trip-in-the-basque-country-read-my-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Cycling trip in the Basque Country: Read my story"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"192\" class=\"elementor elementor-192\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fc4123 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9fc4123\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2a122d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2a122d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>At The Family Bike, we have a golden rule: we only recommend what we\u2019ve tested and approved! After a fantastic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.com\/en\/sejour-velo-cle-en-main\/The-Adour-and-Kiwi-Country-by-Bike-A-Gourmet-Getaway-in-the-Landes-3-Days\">3-day foodie getaway in the Landes region<\/a> with No\u00e9mie (the agency\u2019s co-founder), I wanted to take things to the next level.<br \/>The goal? To test our upcoming all-inclusive cycling trip in the Basque Country in real-life conditions: a 10-day cycling trip in the Basque Country, covering 280 km with 2,700 meters of elevation gain!<\/p><p>So I set off with Beno\u00eet, one of my best friends, to experience this adventure exactly as we market it. We hopped on our muscle-powered bikes (the famous Decathlon Riverside ACTV 500s that we offer for rent), loaded our panniers, and off we went!<\/p><p>If I had to sum up this cycling trip in the Basque Country in three words? Slow, surprising, and magical.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a755c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"0a755c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=tLN90sBOAOo&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2500260 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2500260\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ade5750 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ade5750\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cycling trip in the Basque Country: From the V\u00e9lodyss\u00e9e to the Scandib\u00e9rique<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59a5084 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"59a5084\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f211ed2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f211ed2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>While the coastal stretch of the V\u00e9lodyss\u00e9e offers breathtaking views of the ocean, I have to admit that the inland section of the Scandib\u00e9rique was an absolute blast. The scenery changes at breakneck speed! You go from magnificent, wild bike paths along the banks of the Adour to the foothills of the Pyrenees around Saint-Palais.<\/p><p>My absolute favorite? The stretch between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Bidarray. The Basque villages you pass through all have an incredible spirit and a rich culture. And above all, I\u2019ve never met so many wonderful people as I did during those 10 days of vacation. Cycling breaks the ice instantly!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ca8030 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6ca8030\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c88df66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c88df66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Is the route difficult with a 2,700-meter elevation gain?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40a4341 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"40a4341\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-360ba29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"360ba29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This is often THE question that comes up: is it too steep? To be completely honest, as amateur cyclists in good physical shape, we found it relatively easy.<\/p><p>The secret to a successful cycling trip in the Basque Country is to go at your own pace. The route is extremely safe and very well-designed: we rode on more than 85% bike paths or greenways! Even loaded down with panniers, the route remains accessible to everyone as long as you take the time to catch your breath, admire the view, and take regular breaks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e71395b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e71395b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e3d42b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9e3d42b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The local highlights of our cycling trip in the Basque Country: accommodations and Basque cuisine<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33ed800 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"33ed800\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf4ab03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf4ab03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Hard work is great, but relaxation is even better! How could we plan a cycling trip in the Basque Country without mentioning our hidden gems? When it came to accommodations, we played the role of mystery guests by staying with our partners. Get ready for some truly unique experiences:<\/p><ul><li>Life in a castle in Hastingues: From the very first night, we were welcomed by passionate castle owners who\u2019ve undertaken a massive renovation project. A royal start!<\/li><li>The gourmet stop in Saint-Palais: We spent the night in a superb guesthouse run by an incredibly touching deaf-mute couple. They prepared a dinner worthy of a Michelin-starred restaurant and a breakfast fit for a king to start the day.<\/li><li>The 5-star view: Hats off to this inn nestled in the Basque mountains. Having breakfast surrounded by nature with a sweeping view of the valley is a memory etched in our minds forever.<\/li><\/ul><p>And on the plate? There\u2019s no shortage of local specialties (pintxos, Basque cake, sheep\u2019s milk cheeses&#8230;). We found some fantastic and very affordable spots to enhance this all-inclusive cycling trip. The highlight of this trip goes to the little restaurant in the bastide of Hastingues, with a special shout-out to the chef, Aur\u00e9lie!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f07515a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f07515a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Voyage-a-velo-dans-le-Pays-Basque-avec-The-Family-Bike-1-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-201\" alt=\"Cycling trip in the Basque Country with The Family Bike\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Voyage-a-velo-dans-le-Pays-Basque-avec-The-Family-Bike-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Voyage-a-velo-dans-le-Pays-Basque-avec-The-Family-Bike-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Voyage-a-velo-dans-le-Pays-Basque-avec-The-Family-Bike-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Voyage-a-velo-dans-le-Pays-Basque-avec-The-Family-Bike-1.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98f188c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"98f188c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe417b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe417b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The joy of a turnkey cycling trip<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42247af e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"42247af\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0ab8ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d0ab8ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The biggest advantage of this all-inclusive cycling trip? The mental load is practically zero. We had booked all the accommodations in advance (just like the service we offer our clients). Once you\u2019re in the saddle, all you have to do is let us guide you.<\/p><p>All our GPS routes are mapped down to the millimeter to take you off the beaten path without ever getting lost. The result is smooth, safe, and simply magical. In fact, although we offer to transport your luggage from stage to stage to lighten your load as much as possible, we chose to carry our own bags for this test&#8230; and it was surprisingly easy!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d644dc4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d644dc4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb0be25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb0be25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My expert tips before you leave<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a3f4df e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0a3f4df\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2a8e48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f2a8e48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>When to go?<\/strong> Spring (April through June) or late summer (September through October) are the best times to visit. The weather is mild and sunny, and the roads are much quieter than in the height of summer.<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>What to pack?<\/strong> Like everyone on their first big trip, we brought way too much stuff! If I had to pick just two essentials, they would be: a good pair of cycling shorts (your butt will thank you) and a windbreaker!<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fcd02e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3fcd02e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fec30a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8fec30a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In conclusion? Go for it! If you\u2019re still hesitating about embarking on a cycling trip in the Basque Country, stop thinking about it and take the plunge. This 10-day journey ranks very high among the top 5 most beautiful experiences of my life.<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f449.svg\" alt=\"\ud83d\udc49\" \/> Discover our turnkey trip <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.com\/en\/sejour-velo-cle-en-main\/10d-cycling-tour-basque-country-scandiberique-velodyssee\">10-day all-inclusive cycling tour along the Scandib\u00e9rique and V\u00e9lodyss\u00e9e routes<\/a> and book your next adventure with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/\">The Family Bike<\/a> !<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At The Family Bike, we have a golden rule: we only recommend what we\u2019ve tested and approved! After a fantastic 3-day foodie getaway in the Landes region with No\u00e9mie (the agency\u2019s co-founder), I wanted to take things to the next level.The goal? To test our upcoming all-inclusive cycling trip in the Basque Country in real-life &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-classe-en"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=192"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/192\/revisions\/207"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefamilybike.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}