Crossing the Basque Country by bike in 10 days via the Scandibérique and the Vélodyssée:

Leave Dax and follow the winding course of the Adour River. This first leg of the journey invites you to take a peaceful stroll through meadows and floodplains, where storks watch over your path all the way to the charming river port of Urt.

Suggested activities:

• Walk along the wild, lush banks of the Adour

• Watch migratory birds in the Adour marshes

• Have a picnic on the developed riverbanks in Saubusse

• Watch the sunset over the small river port of Urt

Today’s route follows the famous Scandibérique and takes you through villages steeped in history. The architecture changes: white houses with red or green half-timbering come into view. You’ll cycle along peaceful country roads, winding through meadows and orchards, all the way to Saint-Palais, a historic crossroads on the Camino de Santiago.

Suggested activities:

• A peaceful ride along the small, marked roads of the Scandibérique

• Stop in Bidache to admire the majestic ruins of its castle

• A stroll along the Bidouze, a peaceful and wild river

• A walk through the medieval streets and under the market halls of Saint-Palais

A majestic stop at the foot of the mountains. The road climbs gently through the pastures to reach the medieval town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

Arriving through the Saint-Jacques Gate is a highlight of the journey: you enter a citadel listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Suggested activities:

• Visit the citadel overlooking the town and the surrounding valleys

• Cross the famous Roman Bridge over the Nive River

• Stroll along Rue de la Citadelle and browse its artisanal shops

• Taste Ossau-Iraty sheep’s milk cheese at a local producer’s

Cycle through the heart of the Irouléguy vineyards, where terraced vines carve their way up the mountainside. Passing through Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry, you’ll reach Bidarray, a charming village clinging to the cliffs, overlooking the rushing waters of the Nive.

The landscapes are spectacular, and the views of the Basque mountains are unforgettable.

Suggested activities:

• Enjoy a wine tasting and tour of an Irouléguy winery.

• Cross the romantic bridge in Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry

• Admire the herds of red-headed Manech sheep.

• Dine in Bidarray, renowned for its rural atmosphere and its location on the banks of the Nive

A stage rich in legends and flavors! You’ll first follow the Nive River, then pass through the legendary site of Pas de Roland (where, according to legend, Charlemagne’s nephew split the rock with a single stroke of his sword, Durandal). After passing through the charming village of Itxassou, you’ll climb toward your destination: Espelette, the chili pepper capital.

Suggested activities:

• A refreshing swim in the natural pools at Pas de Roland

• Stop in Itxassou to savor the famous black cherry jam

• Explore the church and the chili pepper-decorated facades in Espelette.

• Visit a chili pepper drying facility and discover Espelette’s “red gold”

Explore the gems of Labourd: Ainhoa, Sare, and Ascain. These iconic villages gently lead you toward the ocean. The day ends in the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a former pirate town with magical lights and streets steeped in history.

Suggested activities:

• Visit Ainhoa and Sare, ranked among the most beautiful villages

• Optional ride on the rack-and-pinion train to the summit of La Rhune

• Explore Saint-Baptiste Church, the site of Louis XIV’s wedding

• Swim in the sheltered bay at the heart of the port city

Ride along the legendary Corniche road, a balcony suspended between the flysch cliffs and the vastness of the Atlantic. Between the Domaine d’Abbadia and the sea mist, this rugged loop takes you to the border with Spain for a colorful stopover before returning to the tranquility of the Bay of Biarritz.

Suggested activities:

• Cycle along the Basque Corniche, a spectacular road overlooking the open sea

• Explore the Domaine d’Abbadia and its enchanting castle-observatory

• Take a ferry to Hondarribia for a taste of Spain

• Enjoy some tapas on the flower-lined ramparts of the old town

Head north along the Vélodyssée. This coastal stretch passes through Guéthary, a former whaling port, and then Biarritz, the imperial city. The ocean views are endless. You’ll finish the stage in Bayonne, a city of art and history, famous for its medieval half-timbered architecture and lively banks of the Nive River.

Suggested activities:

• Take a photo break at the Rocher de la Vierge in Biarritz.

• Admire the Belle Époque villas along the Grande Plage.

• Visit Bayonne Cathedral and its cloister.

• Sample Bayonne ham in the market halls along the Nive River.

Entering the Landes Forest. The horizon widens and the terrain becomes gentler. You cross the Adour River to leave the Basque Country and enter the vast pine forests of the Landes. Safe bike paths lead you through the dunes to Capbreton and its unique harbor, then on to Hossegor. This stage is all about water sports and relaxation, between the marine lake and legendary waves.

Suggested activities:

• Ride through the Chiberta Forest on shaded trails.

• Stroll along the Capbreton boardwalk.

• Cycle around the Hossegor marine lake.

• Watch the sunset on Santocha Beach

On this final day, you’ll leave the coast behind to return to the tranquility of the Landes countryside. You’ll cycle beneath the pine canopy along straight, shaded forest trails. It’s one last chance to savor the silence of the forest before heading back to the Gallo-Roman city.

Suggested activities:

• One last morning swim

• A ride through the pine forest

• Tasting Madeleines de Dax

• Visit the Borda Museum or the Arena.

• Relax at the Dax thermal spa.