7 days / 6 nights
Avid
Private Group
Kingdoms of Navarra
The Wine Regions
The Basque Lands
This road bike tour is for avid and expert cyclists who want the best of all worlds; fabulous rides, the comfort of great one-week accommodation in a provincial capital of Spain, out-of-this-world gastronomy and a chance to discover an entire province by bike. Five riding days; each offering a different landscape and all singular route. Navarra is a land of contrasts; from the Pyrenee Mountains of the north, to the lush Tuscany-like countryside to the west, from the wheat fields and vineyards of the south, to the middle zone with its castles, towers and monasteries. It is no wonder that the world renown cycling team Movistar chooses Pamplona as their year-round training grounds.
May, June, July, August, September, October, November
This enchanting territory and our immersive adventure tours are well worth the discovery, but if you really want to find out how to make your vacations unique, special and memorable, you will have to join us on one.
May, June, July, August, September, October, 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.
Welcome to a city with over 3000 years of fascinating history. Pamplona is a city tucked in the foothills of the pre Pyrenees and the centre of our cycling universe. 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 of the Navarra Pyrenees. Our cycling journey begins with a cooking demonstration in a private gastronomy club. First we learn how to make and then to enjoy. We take a city walk to help you get your bearings, familiarize you with the meeting place for morning rides, and, of course later we will dine like the locals on traditional dishes in the best gastro bars that are found along the city’s medieval streets.
Food: lunch and dinner
Travel: Pamplona and surroundings
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 4,3 miles / 7 kms, elevation gain: 200 meters
Even farther: 28 miles / 45 kms, elevation gain: 350 / descent 350
Quinto Real was a private hunting ground for the Kings of Navarra. Between ancient forests and steep slopes, we cross the border to the Basque-French country to discover Urepel – a name that will stay with you forever! The green valleys at the foothills of the Pyrenees guide us up a classic ascent to the top of Ibañeta awaits us, just as did the Napoleonic troops for Charlemagne in the famous battle between Basques and Franks. Just out of nowhere we coast into Roncesvalles, the beginning of the Camino de Santiago, the very place the king of Kings Sancho VII el Fuerte is buried. We follow the Camino de Santiago which leads us to the gates of Pamplona. As our theme today is the Camino de Santiago, our riding concludes at the Michelin star restaurant Restaurante Europa for a gourmet meal.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel: Urepel / Roncesvalles
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 31 miles / 50 kms, elevation gain: 800 meters up / descent 800
Even farther: 59 miles / 96 kms, elevation gain: 1641 meters up / descent 1641
We ride south into medieval Navarra leaving the basin that surrounds Pamplona and follow the serpentine river Arga adorned by the soft hills to a pilgrims crossroad to stop on the iconic 11th century Romanesque bridge expanding over the Arga River. Farther south we arrive in the medieval village Artajona, with its defensive walls and towers, where Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn starred in the 1976 film Robin and Mary. Our route ends with a last ascent to the stunning church-fortress village of Ujué, voted Navarra’s most beautiful village in 2018. The winding cobblestone roads take us to the delicious local speciality migas de pastor. After filling our bellies with the rustic shepherd’s meal, we transfer back to Pamplona. Dine on your own, venture out to sample the world-renowned pintxos paired with spectacular wines and revel in the lively and exciting atmosphere.
Food: Breakfast and lunch
Travel: Pamplona / Artajona / Ujué
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 35 miles / 56 kms, elevation gain: 700 / descent 650
Even farther: 60 miles / 97 kms, elevation gain: 1494 / descent 1169
Take the morning to rest and later enjoy a Rioja wine region get-away. Our trip to the heart of the wine region includes private visits and wine tastings in three award-winning wineries of the Rioja. Test your palate with an exclusive, private and very entertaining wine tasting event and see who is a true connoisseur. Late lunch is in the lively streets of Logroño. After returning to Pamplona, the evening is yours to explore the beautiful Old Town on your own – your guides can recommend the perfect restaurant or the right street to peruse the wine and pintxos.
Food: Breakfast and lunch
Travel: Pamplona
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: Rest day
Today we cross Navarra from east to west, departing from the town of Arbizu. The route takes us to Viana, city of Kings and Princes that protected the southwestern border of Navarra, the land of castles and wines. From Viana, among vineyards and wheat fields, we arrive at the famous witch village. We ascend the mountain range dipping into the Basque land province of Alaba and then back into Navarra ending the ride in a spectacular descent to Viana. Lunch is a culinary classic, a display of outstanding cuisine with chorizo, salt-cod with peppers, char-grilled steaks and unlimited glasses of freshly brewed cider. Complete the day among vineyards to visit the historical landmark ruins of Villamayor castle and Castillo de Monjardín bodega in the foothills of the Pyrenees to sample Navarra wine. You dine on your own in Pamplona – our guides can readily recommend a few favorite restaurants or simply enjoy the delightful pintxos and wines in the lively old quarter.
Food: Breakfast, lunch
Travel: Viana / Pamplona
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 44 miles / 70 km, elevation gain: 800 / descent 740
Even farther: 60 miles / 97 km, elevation gain: 1494 / descent 1169
This is the last ride of our adventure into the Northern region, so it has to be memorable in every way. After a hearty breakfast, we begin northward bound through the Baztan Valley which is considered by many to be the most beautiful region of the north. We cycle through a magical thousand-year-old beech forest and pass by pastures of grazing cattle and latxa sheep. The route climbs north up a slowly rising, winding, mountain pass that culminates in a truly idyllic landscapes of green meadows, rolling hills, and picturesque white-washed Basque farm houses. Enjoy a well-deserved salty hot springs spa and rest before we have a late lunch in a Michelin-recommended Navarra fusion restaurant. We transfer back to Pamplona.
Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel: Pamplona / Ituren / Elgorriaga / Sanesteban
Sleep: Heart of Pamplona Apartments
How far: 37 miles / 61 km, elevation gain: 576 / descent 873
Even farther: 60 miles / 97 km, elevation gain: 1200 / descent 1500
After a fine breakfast, we will assist in arranging your transportation to the nearest airport or other 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.
Located in the center of the capital of the province of Navarra, Heart of Pamplona Apartments are ideal for visitors to Pamplona, Navarra or the Basque Country. HOP apartments are located right by all the necessary services for a pleasant stay. They are silent corners in the middle of lively streets, in the most popular areas of restaurants and bars.
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”.
