The Landes by bike

Where: 
Specific place: 
Spain and France: Basque Country and New Aquitaine: Donostia - Baiona - Léon - Gastes - Arcachon - Lacanau Océan - Bordeaux
Length: 
Level: 
IBP Index: 
22
Group min/máx: 
4-8 people
New route
The oyster beds and the Pilat dune, the largest in Europe

The oyster beds and the Pilat dune, the largest in Europe

This is a one-week linear route for beginner cyclists, which runs along the Basque coast and the fantastic Landes forest.

From San Sebastián to Bordeaux, passing through Bayonne and Arcachon, we cross the French Basque country, the Landes and the Bay of Arcachon. Following a network of cycle tracks, we will discover the largest maritime pine forest in Western Europe, passing through the highest dune in Europe.

Since 2007, the historic center of Bordeaux and its Port of the Moon have been a World Heritage Site.

Chingudi Bay, the Bassin d'Arcachon, and the Leyre Delta are wetlands umedales protected by the RAMSAR Convention, in addition to being classified as SCI (Site of Community Importance). This route runs through the Estuaire de la Bidassoa et baie de Fontarabie, the Domaine d'Abbadia et corniche basque, La Nivelle, the Falaises de Saint-Jean-de-Luz à Biarritz, L'Adour, and the Dune du Pilat, spaces cataloged as SCI (Site of Community Importance); moreover, the Courant d'Huchet, is a protected area as SPA (Special Protection Area) within the Natura 2000 network.

Scheduled itinerary: 

Day 1.- Transport to Donostia. Ride from Donostia to Baiona (42 km), by the Txingudi Bay, the Domaine d'Abbadia et corniche basque, La Nivelle, and the Falaises de Saint-Jean-de-Luz à Biarritz. Visits to Socoa fort in Ziburu, the market, and the Paul Jovet Litoral Botanical Garden in San Juan de Luz, the Biarritz lighthouse, and the historic center of Baiona. Lodging.
Day 2.- Ride from Baiona to Léon (58 km), by L'Adour and the Landes forest. Lodging.
Day 3.- Ride from Léon to Gastes (72 km), by the Landes forest. Lodging.
Day 4.- Ride from Gastes to Arcachon (66 km), by the Landes forest. Visit to the Pilat dune. Lodging.
Day 5.- Ride from Arcachon to Lacanau Océan (44 km), by the Médoc Regional Natural Park. Lodging.
Day 6.- Ride from Lacanau to Bordeaux (70 km), by the Médoc Regional Natural Park. Visits to the historic center, and the famous Bordeaux water mirror. Farewell dinner. Transportation back home.

Rest on the banks of the Biscarrosse pond Rest on the banks of the Biscarrosse pond
In Baiona we leave the Basque country and the Landes forest begins In Baiona we leave the Basque country and the Landes forest begins
Fantastic cycle tracks Fantastic cycle tracks
More information in the blog (Spanish only): 
Recommended reading: 

In free pdf: Aquitania, by Eva G. Sáenz de Urturi.

Reservations:

For reservation you should either call previously by phone to Josetxu (+34 644299532) or send us an email to info@bicicletos.org, to verify that there are still free places. We will send you a booking form and instructions for payment at that time.

Prices

Last update: 
11/07/2023

(Final price may vary depending on the availability of accommodation and the update of rates of the different providers.)

Guided route: 
1 050,00 €
(Minimum group: 4 people)
Self-guided route: 
90,00 €
Customized route: 
595,00 €

Different route types are explained in General conditions.

Registration