Northern Spain, Andorra, & Basque France

Day 1

Arrive Barcelona, Spain (D)

Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative of WAI and transported to our hotel near Barcelona’s historic center. This afternoon, we visit our first UNESCO World Heritage Site – the two fantastical creations of early 20th century modernist architect, Antonio Gaudi. Parc Güell is a delightfully strollable blend of garden greenery and Disneylandesque structures. Started in 1883, and still to be finished, the church of Sagrada Familia boasts a porcupine-like array of spires that draw more camera-toting tourists than worshippers. Our introduction to Barcelona finishes with a walking tour into the distant past through labyrinthine lanes and squares of the medieval Gothic Quarter.

Day 2

Barcelona – Soldeu, Andorra (BD)
Barcelona, Medieval to Modern Walk – 10 km, rated 2/2+

Today’s walk showcases a sizeable chunk of this remarkable city on the sea, including two breathtaking gondola rides on Montjuïc and across the harbor; the mile-long, tree-lined La Rambla pedestrian zone, with more street performers per square meter of cobblestone than anywhere in Europe; and a plethora of uniquely Catalan delights. Leaving Barcelona, our destination is the tiny principality of Andorra, one of Europe’s smallest countries, with a fun dinner surprise en route!

Day 3

Activities in Andorra (BD)
Andorra Pyrenees Panoramas Walk – 10 km, rated 3

We’ll spend all day walking and exploring this delightful little country nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains (One day is enough for the whole country!). Surprises abound, like tobacco thriving in alpine regions, a prosperous ski resort industry in a country where no one skis, and a display of wildflowers diverse enough to confuse even the most single-minded honeybee! Along the way, we’ll visit one of the beautiful Romanesque churches that dot the hillsides of the Pyrenees and explore the Museo de Areny-Plandolit to get a taste of Andorran life of yesteryear.

Day 4

Andorra – Viehla, Spain (BD)
Aran Valley Villages & Vistas Walk – 10 km, rated 2+

Our route winds along the foothills of the Pyrenees into the Aran Valley, where we begin to understand how disparate are the regions of northern Spain. Tucked away in the mountains next to the French border, this valley has its own language, Aranese, a variant of the southern French tongue known as Occitan. It has been virtually independent for much of its history, and still retains a high degree of autonomy in governing local matters. Our walk route connects several delightful, traditional villages along the valley floor and includes a stop for lunch at a tapa bar along the way! We sleep tonight in Viehla, largest village in the valley.

Day 5

Viehla – Ordesa National Park, Spain (BD)
Ordesa National Park Walk – 10 km, rated 2+/3

We continue west along the Pyrenees through Catalun and into the province of Aragón to Ordesa National Park. This valley, our second UNESCO World Heritage Site, opens a window onto some of Spain’s most stunning scenery. We spend the night at trail’s end in Torlo, a charming and durable village built of granite, the stone that seems to provide the very building blocks of life in the Pyrenees.

Day 6

Ordesa National Park – San Sebastian, Spain (B)

One of Spain’s most impressive fortresses sits just above the village of Loarre, in Aragón. Perched defiantly on a mountainside by the king of Aragón and Navarra nearly 1000 years ago, the castle served as command post for his resistance against the Moors. San Juan de la Peña Monastery, a one-hour scenic drive north, was the Westminster Cathedral of Navarrone and Aragón nobility, and preserves some of Spain’s best examples of Romanesque carving. We finish our day with a lovely drive north to San Sebastian, home for the next two nights, and our base to explore the Basque country of France and Spain.

Day 7

Activities from San Sebastian (B)
Sare Basque Hill Town Walk – 10 km, rated 2+/3

A wonderful day in Basque country begins with a walk from Sare, one of France’s most delightful hilltop villages. Rolling farmland, punctuated with stands of oak and plane trees, fed by meandering streams, makes for a picture-perfect walk through this idyllic land. Following time for lunch, we board the Le Petit Train de La Rhune, a cogwheel train from the early 20th century, on a ride to the westernmost peak of the Pyrenees. Along the way we we enjoy breathtaking views over the Bay of Biscay and into Spain. Spaniards have made an art form out of preparing and consuming delicious hors d'oeuvres. Tonight back in San Sebastian is your best opportunity to sample Spain’s best tapas.

Day 8

San Sebastian – Cangas, Spain (BD)

Our coach takes us west, this morning, along the Costa Vasca, giving us time to relax and imbibe the views and ambiance of Spain’s northern coast. Today’s lunch stop is in Bilbao, with time to gawk at the amazing exterior of the Guggenheim Museum, a cascade of glass and titanium shapes and surfaces reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House. We finish the day in the province of Asturias at Parador Cangas, a former monastery with ties to the 8th century movement to “reconquer” Spain from the Moors.

Day 9

Cangas – Leon, Spain (B)
Picos de Europa National Park- 10 km, rated 2/2+

Picos de Europa National Park offers one of the most unique walks we’ve ever done. The trail follows a footpath carved out of solid rock on the edge of the Caras Gorge, a mile deep in some places. The “Peaks of Europe” tower above us like the spires of a celestial limestone cathedral, creating one of those “pinch-me” walking experiences to which WAI guides become addicted. Following the walk, we arrive in Leon and our hotel in the pedestrian area of the historic center, near the cathedral.

Day 10

Leon – Cacabelos, Spain (BD)
Way of Saint James Scallop Shell Walk – 11 km, rated 2/2+

We pick up the ancient pilgrimage route, the Way of Saint James (Camino de Santiago) today from Leon. A three-part walk starts with a survey of this one-time center of Christian Spain during the Reconquest. From Leon, we follow scallop shell signs (symbol of St. James and the Camino) west, gaining understanding of the pilgrimage, and the story of Spain it parallels at places like: the medieval bridge at Hospital de Orbigo, site of the last major jousting tournament in Europe; the Iron Cross, icon of the Camino, where pilgrims add a piece of clothing or a stone from home to the growing monument; the tiny village of El Acebo, where wooden balconies from opposite sides of the narrow highway almost touch; and Cacabelos, our home for the night where we hope to sample the produce of the grapes that grow prolifically along the last part of today’s walk.

Day 11

Cacabelos – Santiago de Compostela, Spain (B)
Way of Saint James – End of the Pilgrimage Walk – 11 km, rated 1+/2

The province of Galicia feels completely different from the rest of Spain. We deviate off the Camino this morning to Lugo, Galicia’s oldest city. Part 1 of our walk takes us along the top of Lugo’s Roman walls, considered the finest remaining Roman military fortifications in the world. Leaving Lugo, we pick up the Way of St. James in the tiny hamlet of Barbadelo, and wander through the most remote and idyllic section of the Camino. Part 3 of the trail starts at the Mount of Joy, named for the emotion pilgrims have when they finally come in sight of their objective, the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. We’ll walk the last several kilometers into Santiago to the cathedral, then retire to our hotel just a few blocks from the delightful medieval center.

Day 12

Activities in Santiago de Compostela (BD)

A walking tour of Santiago’s chief sites with our Spanish guide adds insight to the wealth of impressions and understanding we’ve gained thus far on our journey through this special region of the Iberian Peninsula. Wandering through the rabbit warren of cobblestone alleys and squares, it’s hard to imagine the powerful psychological role this city played in the Reconquest and the development of the modern nation of Spain. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or pick up some gifts from the many wonderful shops. Or, consider a trip with us to Castro de Barona, on one of Galicia’s many fjord-like ria on the Atlantic coast. This ancient settlement is believed by many archeologists to be Celtic in origin. We rendezvous this evening for a Farewell dinner to reminisce about our journey together over the past couple of weeks.

Day 13

Santiago de Compostela – Madrid, Spain (B)

We turn east today, crossing northern Spain on a different route bound for Madrid. Along the way, we’ll have opportunities for walking and sightseeing in wonderful old Castilian cities like Salamanca, our third UNESCO World Heritage Site, or Avila, with its dramatic full set of medieval walls and gates. We arrive at Madrid this evening to prepare for tomorrow’s return home. Though Madrid is not the focus of this Adventure (we start here on our Walking Classic Spain & Portugal Adventure), travelers are encouraged to consider adding days to explore the capital of Spain on their own.

Day 14

Return home from Madrid (B)

A transfer to the Madrid airport is offered by our airport hotel this morning. We bid fond farewells to our walking comrades, and to Northern Spain, Andorra, & Basque France!