Basque Country Route / MotoGeo Routes

Follow our Basque Country motorcycle adventure route and create your own adventure in this beautiful region on the French and Spanish border.

Watch the Basque Country Adventure on the Royal Enfield Himalayan and get inspired.

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The Route:

Picking up our a Royal Enfield Himalayans at Royal Enfield Boxes Norte, our adventure began in the town of Irun, close to the Spanish border in Basque Country.

After collecting our low powered adventure machines we headed to the beautiful old town of Hondarribia for a quick coffee and pastry pitstop. The old town quarter of Hondarribia is a walled castle town with cobbled streets and full of history and interesting buildings. Ride to the top of the town to take in the view and grab a coffee at Ttopara Cafe.

Now it was time to search for some gorgeous countryside and a few dirt trails to test out the Royal Enfield Himalayan.

We were heading the twisty GI-3420, but before we got too far we stopped for a quick lunch at Ogni Etorri Taberna. This roadside restaurant was great for a quick easy lunch with a fixed menu, tasty food and low prices, just what we needed before the fun really begins.

The other great restaurant we tried on the GI-3420 was Tolare Restaurante, this place was brilliant, it’s where the workers go for their lunch. Everybody sitting at large tables on long benches together. The food was wholesome, filling and delicious, not high end, but perfect to enjoy on a slightly damp motorcycling day, very recommended.

The GI-3420 heads out of Basque Country, it’s a fantastic fun twisty road so we had to take it. You can follow the loop out and round to come back into the Basque Country on the GI-3410. The road quality varies with some parts definitely in need of repair. As it was raining on our adventure we always had to be careful that the tarmac wasn’t too slippery, but traffic levels were low and the scenery was beautiful making it an enjoyable ride despite the weather.

Watch out for the cattle in the road, very much a surprise when we rounded the bend to find them in our path.

From the GI-3420 there are many dirt trails to explore spurring off the main road. They are pretty simple but a lot of fun, so if you’ve got an adventure bike, make sure you check a few out.

That night we headed on the GI-3410 back to San Sebastian to get out of the rain and enjoy some incredible food. Again a great twisty road with beautiful scenery, it had been a great days riding.

Head directly to the old town in San Sebastian and you will not be disappointed. The streets are pedestrianised so it’s best to park up your bike for the night and go and explore.

Most bars are full of Pintxo pronounced Pinchos, delicious small bites of fish, cheese and meat mixed with various things like olives, chillis and bread. They are generally all delicious and the idea is to take a few with a drink of local cider. After you finish there, head to the next bar for a few more, washed down with another cider of course!

We ate in Casa Vergara, the food was fresh and incredibly tasty, so highly recommended. There are many other Pinchos bars in that area that are worth a try, don’t fill yourself up at the first stop place.

The next morning the sun was shining and we took the coast road, in the direction of the Flysch Cliffs in the western part of Gipuzkoa’s coast.

The route is very different from the previous day, starting with a ride on some countryside roads and vineyards.

The campground Gran Camping Zarautz has a stunning view over the coast. We didn’t stop there overnight it looks like it would be a great place to stay and was worth a pitstop for a drink at least.

From there we headed down to take the N-634 coast road. Traffic levels are higher on this coast road, but the view over the sea on your right is spectacular.

The town of Getaria is full of more Pinchos bars if you’re looking for a place to eat on the way the the cliffs.

To reach the Flysch Cliffs you have to park up your bike at the car park of Elgorriaga and take a short walk to through the woods to the lookout point of this area of natural beauty. You can walk further down if you so wish, but on a hot day dressed in biking gear the idea was less appealing and the view was already outstanding.

Finishing at the cliffs we hightailed it back towards San Sebastian before the sun went down, taking the scenic route on the GI-3440 from Lezo across Jaizkibel mountain and through the luscious countryside.

As the sun set in the sky, we handed back our trusty Royal Enfield Himalayans to Boxes Norte. However, a trip to the Basque Country wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a local cider house. We chose Petritegi and we were not disappointed! The cider is poured from a tap directly from the barrel about 2 metres high and you have to catch it in your glass as it falls through the air. This aerates the cider and gives it that unique Basque Country cider flavour.

The food at Petritegi was off the chart incredible, a delicious treat for our last night in the Basque Country.

Now you have all the information, time for you to get out there and create your own adventure!

Txotx!!

Roads:

GI-3420

GI-3410

N-634

GI-3440

Eats:

Ttopara Cafe

Ogni Etorri Taberna – Simple cheap lunch, fixed menu

Tolare Restaurante – Good hearty food, highly recommended

Casa Vergara – Pinchos in old town San Sebastian

Petritegi – Cider house with amazing food, park up your bike and enjoy!

Sights:

Flysch Cliffs

Sleeps:

Gran Camping Zarautz – We haven’t tried this place, but location and vista is beautiful!