Basque Country mountain biking

Guided or non-guided

There are lots of mountain bike holiday companies operating throughout Spain, how should you decide whether to take a guided option or explore by yourself. There are a couple of things to remember if you decide to go self guided. Firstly, do you have all the equipment relevant to the conditions and terrains you will be riding in? Secondly, do you have enough knowledge of Spanish to get yourself help if you should need it. A good guide will know the best trails, pitch them at a level to suit the group, offer help with techniques and give you the best local knowledge.

Choosing a guide

There are a couple of things that are important when choosing a guide. Your guide should be qualified and have an appropriate first aid certificate. You can ask them to show you these before you book. One of the best qualifications is the MBLA qualification from the UK, it is more mountain bike specific than the Spanish qualifications and is valid in Spain, although it is not valid in France.

Basque Coast mountain biking

The Basque Coast is very different to what many people imagine Spain to be like. Very green and hilly, with moutains reaching up to 1500m, and bordered by the wild Atlantic ocean it offers some of the most beautiful mountain biking in Europe. The two main cities on the coast are the beautiful San Sebastian, or Donostia in the local Basque language, and the more industrial Bilbao.

Both areas have fantastic mountain biking surrounding them, however San Sebastian has the lion's share in that respect. The hills along the coast, and to the south further inland hold a myriad of amazing singletrack with steep hills and technical trails.

For a technical adventure you can try following the Camino del Norte along the coast from San Sebastian westward. For a less challenging adventure the Via Verde running from Irun, on the French border, towards Doneztebe is a fantastic cycle and possible on almost any bike.

Navarran mountain biking

Although Pamplona sits in a flat zone, it is surrounded on all sides by mountains. The contrast between here and the Basque Country is incredible and the area is much drier and a lot less green. If the Basque Coast is wet you can normally find somewhere sunny to ride in Navarra. Pamplona is well worth a visit as well and a great adventure is to follow the Camino de Santiago from the Roncesvalles all the way to Pamplona, arriving in Pamplona on your bike.

Western Pyrenees mountain biking

The Pyrenees offer a more mountainous MTB experience. There are some dedicated tracks around Formigal and in Ainsa, however outside those areas the best bet is to follow walking paths. The scenery is amazing, with fantastic views of the spectacular geology of the area. A great day out is to take the Camino Aragonés from Canfranc down to Jaca, a beautiful day's riding from the mountains down to the valley floor.
 

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