• Day 1: Arrival day
  A member of our company in San Sebastian will meet and take you to Bera, the first Navarrese town nearest to the coast and where you will spend the first night. Information meeting to provide you with extensive documentation (route sheets, maps and brochures) and answer any questions you may have.
• Day 2: Bera de Bidasoa – Etxalar (17.8 km – 950 metre height gain)
  As soon as you leave Bera, you start walking through what is going to be the typical environment of this route: a path climbs, among meadows and forests, along the hillside of a small mountain. Good views from the top and fast descent to the beautiful town of Lesaka. After visiting its old houses, you leave this locality and walk up another small mountain to descend to Etxalar, a beautiful town that has a lot of beautiful houses built in the Basque style so typical of this area.
• Day 3: Etxalar - Zugarramurdi (11.6 km – 695 metre height gain)
  You leave the beautiful village of Etxalar and the route begins to climb up a well marked path, with increasingly beautiful views. When the high part is reached and, for a couple of kilometres, the itinerary runs along the Franco-Spanish border, changing country at each bend. From here, you can complete the route with the ascent to Mount Atxuria (758 metres) with its breathtaking views. You descend the northern slope of the mountain, already in French territory. Once down, you can visit the cave of Sara. Back in Spanish territory, you can reach the caves of Zugarramurdi, famous for their stories of witchcraft and whose visit is worthwhile. A last walk of 500 metres and you reach the beautiful village of Zugarramurdi, where your accommodation for the next two nights awaits.
• Day 4: Zugarramurdi - Urdax - Zugarramurdi (2 options: 20.5 km – 720 metre height gain or 17.7 km – 980 metre height gain) Two possible routes have been designed for this day. Both are circular, with departure and arrival at Zugarramurdi. The first of them visits Ainhoa, one of the most beautiful towns in this area, before arriving at Urdax, another beautiful village with many interesting things to visit. This route is longer than the second option, but its height gain is smaller. The second route also visits Urdax, but after having made a tour of the mountains around Zugarramurdi, which are fantastic viewpoints to contemplate this beautiful landscape. This second route is a bit shorter but, as it is more mountainous, it has a bit more of height gain. In any case, both routes are beautiful options to fully enjoy the charm of this area.
• Day 5: Zugarramurdi - Erratzu (22.9 km – 1,150 metre height gain) At this stage, the way changes the side of the Pyrenees, passing from the northern Xareta valley, to the beautiful Baztán valley on the south side of these mountains. For this reason, today's route is the one that presents the greatest height gain, although the ascent, being progressive, is very comfortable and easy to do. However, it is always possible to shorten it by taxi. You leave Zugarramurdi and arrive at a nearby col, from where you descend to a first valley. Then, you start walking up Mount Alkurruntz (932 metres) which offers fantastic views from its summit. You go down to the beautiful and historical village of Amaiur and, passing later on through the curious hamlet of Bozate, you reach Erratzu which has some spectacular houses and farmhouses.
• Day 6: Erratzu – Rural house in the mountains (12.8 km – 695 metre height gain) Today's stage is very special for two reasons: on the one hand, because you visit an almost virgin valley where the Xorroxin waterfall is located, a great cascade hidden at the bottom of the forest and where it is possible to bathe in its crystalline waters. And, on the other hand, because tonight's accommodation is not in a village, but in a beautiful country house in the middle of the mountains. Two experiences that, on their own, make this trip unforgettable.
• Day 7: Rural house in the mountains – Elizondo (18.5 km – 750 metre height gain or 21.8 km – 880 metre height gain)
  Fantastic last stage to finish this beautiful route. Depending on the rural house in which you spend the night, the distances of this stage can vary. In any case, the distance to walk is not very long and the path is very comfortable at all times. You leave the rural house and arrive at Arizkun, another beautiful village of this idyllic valley where, in addition to its beautiful houses, you can visit its impressive monastery. You continue on the way to Azpilkueta, the presumed birthplace of San Francisco Javier. After visiting its church and its curious frontón court, you walk the last part of the route that leads to Elizondo, the capital of the valley and the end of this beautiful trip. A taxi transfer will take you back to San Sebastian.
• Day 8: Departure day.

This route runs, from village to village, the northwest of the province of Navarra, in an eminently rural environment. The villages are not very large and there are not as many lodgings as we can find in the cities. Despite this limitation, there is a network of rural houses and rustic lodgings that, although they do not have the luxury or size of large hotels, do offer all the comfort and amenities that the hiker needs for a good rest. Sometimes their rooms can be simple, but they are always comfortable and clean. In general, they have a rustic decoration typical of the mountainous area in which they are located, offering guests the charm of the authentic.

The fact that we are a local travel agency has allowed us to directly select the best establishments in the area. We have been able to choose them in person, visit them frequently and have direct contact with the owners. All this guarantees us that they are the perfect places for our customers to have a rest after a beautiful day of walking, recharge their batteries with a good dinner and a good breakfast, in order to they can enjoy the next stage.

The Enchanted Villages route can be done at any time of the year, except from 16 December to the end of February. For the rest of the year, you can arrive and start the route on the day of the week of your choice.

PRICES

• Low season: 1,265 €
  (1 March to 30 June and 1 October to 15 December).
• High season: 1,350 €
  (1 July to 30 September)
  Prices are per person and based on two people sharing a twin or double room.


• Single supplement:
  
  • If you travel in a group: 210 € in low season and 285 € in high season.
  • If you travel alone: 485 € in low season and 515 € in high season.

Included:

• Transfer from San Sebastian to the first hotel in Bera.
• Information meeting where you receive a folder with extensive documentation: detailed route cards for each stage, several maps, as well as brochures of the area.
• 7 nights accommodation in Bera, Etxalar, Zugarramurdi (x 2), Erratzu, Rural house in the mountain and San Sebastián. (*)
• Breakfast each morning.
• Picnic lunches on walking days.
• 5 dinners (Bera, Etxalar, Zugarramurdi (x 2) and rural house in the mountains), including house wine and other drinks.
• Baggage transfers between accommodation.
• Taxi transfer from the end of your last walk to your hotel in San Sebastián.
• Permanent contact by phone with our local staff in case you have any questions or problem.
• Possibility to download the tracks of the different stages in your GPS Garmin (GPX format).

(*) Possibility of organizing additional nights of accommodation along the route to have extra rest days and more time to visit the interesting cities and places of the area. Please check with us if you are interested.

Not included:

• Flights or any other means of transport to/from San Sebastian, the starting and end point of the trip. (**)
• Insurance.
• Dinner on the other 2 nights (Erratzu and San Sebastián) when you are free to choose your own restaurant.
• Any extra drinks, apart from those already served on the menus of the 5 included dinners. These additional drinks will be paid for directly at the restaurant.
• Optional taxis to shorten certain stages.

(**) Possibility to order private transfers from/to Biarritz, San Sebastián, Pamplona or Bilbao, at an additional charge.

How can I get to the area?
To start this trip, you must first arrive in San Sebastian or go directly to Bera, where you will stay the first night. You can get there by plane, either to the San Sebastian airport, or to the nearby airports of Biarritz or Bilbao, from where there are bus lines that connect quickly with San Sebastian. From these airports you can also come by taxi or request a private transfer (additional charge). Of course, you can also come in your own vehicle or use the existing train and bus lines from Madrid or Barcelona. For more information, see the "How to get here" section of the "Information" tab.

What currency and language is used in the area?
Both in France and Spain, the currency used is the euro. With regard to languages, of course, French is spoken in France and Spanish in Spain, but throughout this area, Euskera, the language of the Basque people is also spoken, one of the oldest and most mysterious languages in the world. While you are here, you will often hear and read it many times and we will tell you some curious facts about this ancient language on your arrival. English is not spoken in every accommodation, nor in every town and the level may be basic at times.

Will there be many hikers along this route?
Logically, at some times of the year, during the weekends and in the vicinity of the villages it is more feasible to find other people walking along these paths but, as it is a very little traveled route, most of the time you will walk in solitude, enjoying the peace and quiet of these mountains.

Is it easy to find your way around or follow the route?
On many occasions, the path runs through usual hiking trails that are well marked with signs and wooden signposts. In those places where these signs do not exist, we have put our own marks so, in general, the route is easy to follow. Also, remember that we will provide you with detailed information in our route cards. However, it should not be forgotten that a large part of the route is done in a mountain environment, so in the event of fog or bad weather, you should exercise extreme caution.

Is it a safe route?
Yes, fortunately this area is very safe and hikers do not usually have any problems on their way, even if they are walking alone. In addition, the routes all pass through inhabited villages and hamlets and always begin and end in important centres of population. Also, remember that our agency is located in San Sebastian and that you can contact us at any time, either through the accommodation where you are staying, or directly to the contact telephone number that we will give you on your arrival.

Can I book a one-person trip?
Although it is ideal to be able to share the experiences of this route with other people, it is possible to book this trip for individuals, with an additional supplement (please consult prices in the Dates/Prices tab).

What is the best time of year to make this trip?
Probably the best time to travel this route would be the central months of the year: April, May, June, July, September and October. August can also be a good time, but it is high season and some days the temperature can be a little high.

Is it possible to shorten some stages?
Yes, if you don't want to walk all or part of any of the stages, you can shorten them by hiring a private taxi service, which you should pay directly to the driver. This taxi can be hired the day before, either directly in the accommodation where you are or by contacting us.

I have some kind of dietary restriction, is it possible to take this into account?
Of course, in that case we will notify this circumstance to all the accommodations and restaurants we work with. However, it should be borne in mind that the route crosses rural areas and, in some cases, there may be some limitation on the choice of menus of restaurants because, as they are in small villages, they may not have as wide an offer as restaurants in larger towns usually have.

Is it possible to spend the last night in Bilbao instead of San Sebastian?
Yes, no problem. In this case, we will book a hotel room for you in Bilbao instead of San Sebastian. At the end of the last stage, the taxi will take you directly to Bilbao but you will have to pay a supplement directly to the taxi driver, because this city is further away than San Sebastian.

Is it possible to book any additional nights in Bilbao or San Sebastian, at the beginning or end of the trip?
Yes, of course. In this case, at the time of making your reservation, let us know where and how many days you want and we will arrange your reservation free of charge, but with the corresponding additional cost for these extra hotel nights.

If you have any other questions, please click here and send us an email. Thank you very much.