Trails of Spain: Walking the Vineyards & Towns of Rioja & Basque Country

Fly overnight to Bilbao, where you’ll be met for the transfer to Pamplona. After time to settle into your hotel, set out on a guided walking tour of this historic city, known for its annual encierro, or running of the bulls, during the Fiesta de San Fermín. This evening, set off on a pintxos (tapas) and wine tour, sampling regional food and drink specialties at beloved local bars—a perfect introduction to northern Spain. (D)

Journey into the majestic Pyrenees Mountains to the remote hamlet of Roncesvalles, just inside the border with France. Here, a 12th century abbey was built to welcome pilgrims descending from arduous mountain trails on the first leg of the Camino de Francés, the World Heritage-listed route of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. Pay a visit to the working abbey, the Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María, where you might hear monks reciting prayers, and then set off on a trek along Stage 2 of the Camino Francés. Make your way through lush oak and beech forests and pastures to the village of Espinal, where lunch awaits. Return to Pamplona for an afternoon at leisure. (B,L)

Hiking: 5 miles on dirt tracks over uneven terrain with some elevation changes

Head to the town of Elizondo in the Baztán Valley, a haven of rolling hills and traditional Basque stone villages in the Atlantic Pyrenees. You’ll have a choice of activities this morning: hike along country lanes and then climb to a nearby waterfall; or discover the picturesque architecture and interesting history of Elizondo on a guided tour. Later, stop in at an artisan cheesemaker to sample goat and sheep cheeses. After free time for lunch, travel to hilltop Amaiur-Maya, an unassuming hamlet that was the last stronghold of the Kingdom of Navarre to fall to the Kingdom of Castile in the 1500s. Hear about the village’s history as you hike up to its medieval castle. Continue to Navarrete, gateway to La Rioja wine region and a stop along the Camino Francés. Settle into your wine estate before dinner together. (B,D)

Morning option 1: Hiking 4 miles on paved sidewalks, rocky and uneven dirt trails, and narrow forest paths with some slippery sections near the waterfall; 1,100 ft elevation gain

Morning option 2: Walking 1-2 miles on mostly flat paved roads and sidewalks

Walking (afternoon): 1-2 miles on paved roads and sidewalks with some inclines

Stretching some 75 miles across the rolling landscapes of northern Spain, the Rioja wine region grew up around the Camino de Santiago and for centuries produced wines primarily for the pilgrims who passed through. Over the course of the 20th century, exposure to French winemaking methods led local vintners to refine their techniques, making Rioja one of Europe’s most renowned wine regions. Embark on a morning walk through undulating tempranillo vineyards, stopping at pottery studios called alfarerías, where artisans create large earthenware wine vessels to ferment and store wines. On visits to both a traditional and a modern alfarería, you’ll meet artisans keeping alive this centuries-old craft and learn how it has evolved over the years. Your route brings you into the heart of Navarrete, where you’ll stroll the village streets to the 16th-century parish of Asunción de María. Take the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the amenities at your wine estate. This evening, meet for a tour of the property’s award-winning wine cellar and ceramics museum, followed by a wine tasting. Enjoy dinner together at a nearby restaurant tonight. (B,D)

Walking: 4 miles on vineyard tracks, paved village roads, dirt paths, with moderate elevation change.

Travel to Haro, La Rioja's wine capital and host to the lively annual Haro Wine Festival—also known as the Battle of Wine. Hike a circular route from the city center into the surrounding hills, passing vineyards and terraced fields. Or stay in Haro for a guided tour, discovering its cultural highlights and gaining insight into the city’s long history of wine production at some of its acclaimed bodegas. Later, enjoy a guided visit to the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture, recognized by UNESCO as one of the most outstanding wine museums in the world. Return to Navarrete for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Optional Hiking: 4 miles on sidewalks and dirt tracks, with some elevation change

Optional Walking: 1-2 miles on mostly flat paved roads and sidewalks

Set out along a spectacular coastal trail known as the Flysch Route, part of the UNESCO-protected Basque Coast Geopark named for the unusual sandstone and shale formations called flysch that formed here over hundreds of millions of years. . Take in extraordinary views of the jagged, vertical layers of flysch that striate the shore as you hike along a loop trail from the seaside town of Zumaia. After lunch, head to a family winery to learn about the local terroir and the sparkling whites and rosés it produces. During a wine tasting, you’ll have a chance to taste the region's emblematic txakoli wines. Continue to Bilbao and check in to your historic hotel before an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Hiking: 2-3 miles on narrow dirt paths and cliffside trails, with 275 feet of elevation change

Spend a full day discovering Bilbao, formerly a gritty industrial town now transformed by exciting architecture and gastronomy and a dynamic cultural scene. On a morning walking tour, make your way from Casco Viejo (the Old Quarter) to the edgy urbanized district of Abando. You’ll have time on your own to try one of the city’s many culinary options for lunch and explore its parks and cultural sites. Meet up late in the afternoon at the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, an architectural masterpiece designed by the late, legendary architect Frank Gehry. Step into its world-renowned titanium folds for a guided tour of its extensive collection of modern and contemporary art. Cap off your adventure with a festive--and artful!—farewell dinner at the acclaimed Bistró Guggenheim Bilbao. (B,D)

Walking: 5 miles on mostly flat paved roads and sidewalks

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your flight home. (B)