6 days / 5 nights
Avid
Private Group
Hemingway
Kingdom of Navarra
Ernest Hemingway was fascinated by Navarra. A man of action, an avid sportsman, with unlimited curiosity about the world around him, he found in Navarra endless possibilities to enjoy himself and to enrich his mind and senses. We follow in his footsteps through this enchanting region, riding along ancient Roman routes, on trails through the lush foothills of the Pyrenees, and along the pilgrim path of the renowned Camino de Santiago. In spirit, we follow Hemingway, considered one of the essential members of the American Lost Generation, was part of the expedition of friends who began a trek through the Pyrenees together with George O’Neil (American poet, playwright, novelist and screenwriter) and Eric Edward Dorman-Smith (military).
May, June, July, August, September, October
● Cycle through an enchanting thousand-year-old beech forest.
● Cross the Civil War smuggler’s route which led over the border into France.
● See the places Hemingway loved and which inspired him to write.
● Sample local gastronomic delights, and go on food and wine tours.
● Cycle through picturesque scenery on part of the original pilgrimage route of the Camino.
This enchanting territory and our immersive tours are well worth the discovery, and we can make your vacations unique and memorable, so come and join us on one when it’s optimal for you.
May through November
We customize to fit with fabulous experiences, the comfort of great accommodation, out-of-this-world gastronomy and a chance to discover this spectacular region.
We begin with a warm welcome to northern Spain. Your first day gives us a chance to size up your bikes to fit and take you for a spin in direction the Navarra Pyrenees. Our cycling journey begins with a gastronomic experience of show cooking in a private gastronomy club where we learn how to make, and then enjoy, traditional Navarran dishes.
Food: lunch and dinner
Travel: Pamplona and surroundings
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 4,3 miles / 7 km, elevation gain: 200 meters
Our journey commences on tertiary roads in a landscape reminiscent of Tuscany. We pass through charming Basque hamlets and villages. Hemingway would drive to the Irati River where the water was, “clear as light.” We reach Hemingway’s favorite spot and the perfect place for a picnic and a chance to take a dip in the river.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: Pamplona
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 414 meters
Even farther: 32 miles / 38 km, elevation gain: 900 meters
We cycle through the central Pyrenees valley of Auñamendi and along ancient Roman pathways. We ride a portion of the Saint James Way as we wind through picturesque villages, past grazing cattle, and enjoy the serene vistas. Hemingway stayed in this region when he came to fish trout and relax from San Fermin. Discover why the famous writer was so taken with the beautiful town of Burguete and draw inspiration from it as he once did. Here we sit down to an authentic Hemingway-style lunch in the hotel dining room where he ate his meals. We have a private visit of the room featured in his novel The Sun Also Rises in the hotel which is still run by the great-grandchildren of the woman Hemingway described in his books. We spend the evening as pilgrims would, enjoying the pleasures of a hospitable mountain village.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: Aoiz / Burguete
Sleep: Hotel de Roncesvalles***
How far: 18 miles / 30 km, elevation gain: 785 meters
Even farther: 27 miles / 45 km, elevation gain: 1,080 meters
After a pilgrims’ buffet breakfast, we travel up to the Pass of Roncesvalles. The ancient road used for crossing the Pyrenees at least as far back as Roman times. Then we begin our final long descent. Travelling on an open path, we make our way into the magical Irati Forest where, as Hemingway wrote, “the trees resemble the drawings in a child’s fairy book.” We come to the ruins of the Baños de Aribe that are reminiscent of bygone enthusiasm for natural springs getaways. We visit the very spot where Hemingway spent hours daydreaming, swimming, and trout fishing along the Irati River. The perfect end-of-ride picnic spot for local traditional cuisine and Navarra wine. After a dip in the river, we transfer to our hotel in the hills.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: Irati Forest
Sleep: Hotel Rural Irati
How far: 17 miles / 28 km, elevation gain: 485 meters
Even farther: 25 miles / 41 km, elevation gain: 1,080 meters
Be astounded and delighted by the immensity of the Pyrenees. You will see the open meadows stretching up to the tree line as we ride through the Valley of Salazar. We are on our way to the picture perfect village Ochagavia. Get ready for a classic meal in an authentic cider house – a display of outstanding cuisine with chorizo, salt-cod with peppers, char-grilled steaks, and unlimited glasses of wheat-coloured cider. We transfer back to Pamplona for a well-deserved rest, spa session, and evening for dining on your own.
Food: Breakfast and lunch
Travel: Jaurrieta / Zatoya / Ochagavía / Pamplona
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 17 miles / 28 km, elevation gain: 685 meters
Even farther: 23 miles / 38 km, elevation gain: 980 meters
After a fine breakfast, we’ll assist in arranging your transportation to the nearest airport or train station for your onward travels.
Food: Breakfast
Travel: Pamplona
* NST itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications, like restrictions in natural parks, protection areas, and reserves we travel through.
At the gates of the Irati forest, the second largest beech tree forest in Europe, this quaint pre Pyrenee hotel is in the heart of the commencement of the Camino de Santiago. It is a charming oasis from the cities and town and an excellent base from which to visit numerous attractions in the Orreaga – Roncesvalles valley.
This four star hotel + spa personalized and sophisticated for maximum comfort, making this hotel the quiet oasis from the city of Pamplona. A decorative symphony of elegance and exclusivity. The fusion of stone, wood, velvet, works of art and furniture of exclusive design create a warm unique atmosphere. At the foothills of the Pyrenees, we can begin to peddle from the moment we step out the door.
Stephanie, the dynamo of our organization, is a Canadian who has fallen in love with this region of Spain. She is enterprising, innovative and has an endless amount of energy to design unique outstanding travel plans, making her passion her profession. She has the firm conviction that until the product standards are exceptional, they should not be offered.
“Our goals are two: one is to dazzle our visitors and another is to share with them what we find so extremely enchanting about this region of Spain”.
Oliver is our greatest ambassador of Pamplona. Oliver has it all: charm, conversation and deep knowledge of his Basque culture. You will feel like you’ve made a new friend during one of his energetic tours. Oliver is always on the beat searching for the perfect pintxo and exciting, outside-the-box experiences. He is dedicated to designing the most exclusive events for our guests, such as the Hemingway to the Basque Coast tour, or a walking tour of the Running of the Bulls course with an international bull runner. He knows the all the best destinations and activities on the off-the-beaten cultural track.
“This is our essential hallmark that sets us apart from any other events agency”.
