7 days / 6 nights
Active
Private Group
Kingdoms of Navarra
Aragon
Plots, betrayal, revenge and war: the intertwined history of Navarra and Aragon is truly dramatic and rivals anything imagined for fiction. We cycle through the two medieval kingdoms to showcase the fascinating paths that unite them and explore their thousand-year-old history. Riding through gorges, undulating olive groves, and flower bedecked meadows, a mountain bike provides us with the perfect way to travel in this corner of northern Spain. We combine mountain biking with history, gastronomy and culture on this medieval-themed adventure.
April, May, June, August, September, October, November
● Steep yourself in medieval history and feel the era come alive.
● Stay in signature hotels, most of which are converted from castles and monasteries.
● Visit exclusive Navarra wineries.
● Sample Navarra and Basque dishes during a wine-paired lunch in a 13th century castle.
● Sit in quiet contemplation at a monastery church listening to Gregorian chants.
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 January
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 meet and greet welcome, a chance to size up your bikes to fit and take you for a spin in the direction the Navarra Pyrenees. Our cycling journey begins with a gastronomic experience show cooking in a private gastronomy club to learn how to make and then enjoy traditional Navarran dishes.
Food: Lunch and dinner
Ride the best portion of: Pamplona and surroundings
Sleep: Four Star Hotel & Spa ****
How far: 4,3 miles / 7 km, elevation gain: 100 meters
We travel to medieval Aragon, the land of kings and queens, to the magical town of Uncastillo, Aragon. We visit the impressive villa where Ferdinand the Catholic was born, perhaps the most famous king in Spanish history. We cycle through a landscape of beautiful almond trees, which bloom in early spring. In the medieval town of Sos del Rey Católico, which was founded in the year 900. Take time to explore the hotel or medieval Uncastillo, then re-group for dinner.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Ride the best portion of: Uncastillo / Castiliscar
Sleep: Three Star Hotel ***
How far: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 418 meters
Even farther: 32 miles / 52 km, elevation gain: 1100 meters
We make an early start from Pamplona and transfer to the medieval Aragon, the land of kings and queens. We visit the impressive villa where Fernando the Catholic was born, perhaps the most famous king in Spanish history. We carry on through a landscape covered in beautiful almond trees, which will be in bloom if it is spring. We leave the plains and the stately Pyrenees finally appear before us. In the medieval town of Sos, we will stay at a luxurious posada. We visit the Sos del Rey Catòlico. Tonight’s dinner is one you won’t soon forget it’s a meal fit for royalty.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Ride the best portions of: Sos del Rey Católico
Sleep: Four Star Hotel Parador ****
How far: 16 miles / 36 km, elevation gain: 614 meters
Even farther: 28 miles / 45 km, elevation gain:1080 meters
Restored by a delicious buffet breakfast, we head out to the most impressive monastery in the kingdom of Navarre. We cycle on paths through beautiful almond trees while enjoying the fresh country air. We visit the Leyre Monastery and the graves of the astounding medieval Navarre Kings, then, as the sun goes down on the monastery church we listen to the resident Benedictine monks sing Gregorian chants. We have dinner and stay in the monastery.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Ride the best portions of: Sos del Rey / Católico / Leyre
Sleep: Hotel in an authentic Monastery ***
How far: 22 miles / 36 km, elevation gain: 614 meters
Even farther: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 965 meters
We visit the 10th century medieval castle of Javier. We follow the Irati River to the beautiful Lumbier gorge, where a vulture sanctuary ensures we will see them sailing overhead on windy spirals. We transfer to your medieval castle accommodation fit for a king in Olite. Afternoon pleasures include a private tour of the Olite castle, one of Spain’s more interesting castles, exploring its courtyards, royal chambers and towers. Following the tour we enjoy a wine tasting at an exclusive local winery.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Ride the best portions of: Leyre / Javier / Sangüesa / Lumbier / Olite
Sleep: Four Star Hotel Parador ****
How far: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 314 meters
Even farther: 32 miles / 52 km, elevation gain: 1,300 meters
We ride through Navarra wine country to the majestic 10th century medieval village of Ujué tucked into the winding cobblestone roads and stop for a delicious morcel of local specialty migas de pastor – “shepherd’s bread crumbs”. We ride past the Roman ruins of Santa Criz and make our way to Bodega Caudalia, an exquisite family-run winery. By this time we are ready to set the bikes aside and enjoy the winery and vineyard concluding in hands-on grape harvesting followed by a well-deserved vineyard picnic with roasted local products, wine and ‘musto’. Afternoon pleasures include a gastronomic walking tour of the city of Pamplona to enjoy the lively old quarter and its pintxos and wines.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Ride the best portions of: Olite / Ujué / Lerga / Pamplona
Sleep: Four Star Hotel ****
How far: 18 miles / 30 km, elevation gain: 314 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.
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.
This charming hotel is within an authentic Benedictine monastery and forms part of a complex that is a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture and art. The Monasterio de Leyre is one of the most important monuments in Navarra. It is an outstanding out-of-the-box destination and one of the treasures of our adventure into the Kingdoms of the North.
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”.
