Trek of the WESTERN PYRENEES & Pedalling the ARAGONESE WAY of SAINT JAMES

Day 1:                         

Welcome to San Sebastian.  We meet on the morning for a gastronomic experience going shopping in the market and preparing our meal together at one Gastronomic Club in the old town, enjoying local life, making some team building and talking about the trip we have ahead of us.   After lunch, a cycling tour to discover the city and activate our bodies.

–           Night in San Sebastian: Hotel Niza*** or similar

Day 2:                         

We have breakfast at the hotel, we pack our luggage and get ready for 3 hours transfer to the Pyrenees.  Our Hotel is in the village of Torla, in front of Ordesa National Park.   Once we are here, we have the chance to practice a rafting adventure in Ara river shaking our muscles before starting with the hike on the next day.  Having dinner all together in the hotel talking and preparing tomorrow´s trek.

–           Night & dinner in Torla:  Hotel Silken Ordesa ****, Villa Russell *** or similar

Day 3:               

After having and energetic breakfast, it is time to get to the hiking starting point in Bujaruelo (10 min. by vehicle). Following northwest river Ara, and in constant uphill we will get to the highest point of the route visiting the lakes of Batanes, the Brazato pass (2.578 m).  After enjoying the great views form the top, there is quite deep downhill in the forest before finishing the route in our comfortable lodging of tonight.

• Night & dinner in Panticosa: Resort Balneario of Panticosa **** or similar

–           Walking distance Bujaruelo – Balneario Panticosa 18 km / +1.120 m. -900 m.

Day 4:               

As usual, we have breakfast and get our luggage ready.  Along the day we continue following the GR-11 path (Trans-Pyrenees route from coast to coast).  The route goes through the Blue lakes, Infierno and Tebarray pass (2.782 m), and Respumoso refuge.  We are changing from one valley to another surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees.  A strong dinner is a must to recuperate.

• Night & dinner in Sallent de Gállego: Hotel Bocalé *** or similar
• Walking distance Balneario Panticosa – Sallent de Gallego 22 Km / +1.180 m. -1.470 m.

Day 5:               

Once again, we need to pack after breakfast.  We still being in the heart of the Pyrenees in our last hiking day.  The route goes through the ski resort of Formigal to Anayet lakes (2.227 m), and then down over Canal Royal to the front door of our Hotel surrounded by nature.  Our mind and body has to change from a hiking mentality to a cycling one.  The Spa may help!

• Night & dinner in Canfranc: Hotel Santa Cristina Petit Spa *** or similar
• Walking distance Sallent de Gallego – Canfranc 21 km / +910 m. -930 m.

Day 6             

Here we are having breakfast, packing and talking about our feelings.  We are leaving behind the mountains & the walking boots, while now looking for the plains & the pedals.  We have a long way down to Jaca playing with booth shores of Aragon River.  The rest of the route has a very relaxed sensation with a brown and yellow coloured landscape, finishing at the very nice medieval town of Sos del Rey Catolico.

• Night & dinner in Sos del Rey Católico: Hotel-Parador Sos del Rey Católico **** or similar
• Cycling distance Canfranc Estación – Sos del Rey Católico 99 km / -800 m.

Day 7:                        

After a great rest, breakfast is waiting for us.  This dry region of Navarre we are going through is like having two trips in one.  The route is quite comfortable and most of the time we are cycling along a track.  This is a region where the transhumance stills alive.  It can be very common to see the flocks of sheep taking their time and eating everything along the way.  The shepherd with a couple of dogs should be around, too.   And the end of today´s route, the Aragonese Way of Saint James joins the French one so the number of pilgrims will increase, as well as the number of experiences.  “Buen Camino”!

• Night & dinner in Estella: Hotel Hospederia Chapitel ****
• Cycling distance Sos del Rey Catolico – Estella 83 km

Day 8:                        

Breakfast and luggage ready in the morning getting active for another enjoyable cycling day.  Ahead of us a world and landscape dedicated to the wine.  First, we will see the vineyards of Navarre and then cycle along the most famous winery area in Spain, La Rioja.  Depending on the moment of the year, we can see the harvest taking place.  The main city on the area is Logroño, and it is said that it has more wine than water running under its sewerage.

• Night & dinner in Najera: Hotel Duques de Najera ****
• Cycling distance Estella – Najera 80 km

Day 9:                        

After a great breakfast and some stretching, we face our last day cycling in the “Camino”.  The day is long and the entrance to the main city of Burgos can be a little annoying, but the feeling of finishing such a beautiful and varied trip should rejoice our souls. Burgos used to be the capital of Castile´s kingdom and it has an amazing cathedral inside the old town.  It is like being back at the middle ages.

• Night in Burgos: Hotel Rice Palacio de los Blasones **** or similar
• Cycling distance Najera – Burgos 95 km

Day 10:                       

The trip is over, and we have 2 hours transfer to get to Madrid, flight connections or any other destiny you may have planned.  On the way we make a stop in the Ribera de Duero wine region in order to make a winery visit and have a tasting tour.  It can be an extra reward after such a demanding active trip.  Also, a farewell lunch would be at the same place, sharing experiences and getting feedbacks.  It was a pleasure to have you in this trip.  See you again!

END OF THE TRIP