Via Verde del Plazaola: Pamplona - San Sebastian

Before you start cycling, it’s time to enjoy Pamplona with its charming center full of old streets lined with restaurants and (tapas) bars. Pamplona is the capital of Navarra and one of the highlights of Basque culture. Take a walk to the castle where pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago enter the city. If you have chosen to rent a bike, you can pick it up in the city today so you can set off at your leisure tomorrow. But first, relax and enjoy an evening in the vibrant atmosphere of Pamplona.

You cycle out of Pamplona under the watchful eye of Mount San Cristobal, heading towards the starting point of the Via Verde del Plazaola in the village of Sarasa. After Sarasa, there’s a very short, steep climb, but then it’s like most Vias Verdes: you always climb very gradually, sometimes almost imperceptibly. The route is beautiful, passing through forests and along rivers. And just imagine—the most scenic part of the Via Verde is still to come. Suddenly, you find yourself in the town of Lekunberri. The train station has been converted into a visitor center for the Via Verde del Plazaola, with an information desk and a cozy bar with a terrace.

As soon as we start pedaling and leave the old station behind, we suddenly find ourselves in a stunning landscape. Green hills, forests, and valleys accompany us to the end of the Via Verde. This is a section where you truly ride through nature. The beauty of this Via Verde is that you cycle through a mountainous landscape without having to climb steeply. This is thanks in part to the many tunnels along the route. You’ll even pass through the longest Via Verde tunnel in Spain. When a tunnel is closed, we follow an alternative route. The Via Verde del Plazaola ends in Andoain. From here, you continue on a quiet route to your hotel in the beautiful and very bike-friendly city of San Sebastian. This is where the arrangement ends, but we recommend extending your stay by at least one more night in the city. There is so much to see and do here.

Today is the day to explore San Sebastián. Take the day to visit the beaches, neighborhoods, and streets filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. The La Concha beach is simply stunning. Don’t forget to try the “pintxos,” small bites offered in many restaurants. Don’t call them ‘tapas’ because pintxos are true culinary masterpieces. Speaking of culinary delights… San Sebastián is nationally and even globally renowned for its excellent restaurants. Here, you’ll find the highest concentration of Michelin stars.

• Northern Spain has a mild climate. The best period to cycle this route is from May to September, with the most pleasant temperatures in spring and autumn.
• A monthly overview can be found on our climate page: Climate Northern Spain
• For a broader overview, you can also consult our general climate page: Climate Spain

• Difficulty level 3 for touring holidays are cycling holidays that are well manageable for the average touring cyclist. The rides are not too long but can include some elevation gain. The route may include longer sections of unpaved terrain (gravel), but is always well rideable. There may be 1 or 2 days where the ride is somewhat longer and more demanding. On average, distances are between 30 and 50 kilometres per day and between 200 and 400 metres of elevation gain per day.

• Pamplona is easily accessible by train and bus from Bilbao and San Sebastián, or you can arrange a transfer through us.
• Would you like to return from San Sebastian to Pamplona? This can be done by train. There is a direct train that will take you back in less than two hours. However, this only runs early in the morning. Trains that run later in the day take a detour and therefore take longer.
• Current timetables and travel times can be found at renfe.com.