Northern Spain via verdes: Vitoria - Pamplona - San Sebastián

You arrive in Vitoria, a calm and green city that feels pleasant after the journey. In the historic centre you can take your time to stroll past squares and cafés. Here you will receive your bikes, if applicable. A gentle start before setting off the next day.

You leave Vitoria behind and quietly follow the Vía Verde Vasco-Navarro. The path leads you through forests and small villages, with a short detour around the closed Laminoria tunnel. Afterwards you descend gradually toward Maestu. The longer option adds a loop around the large reservoir and feels a bit more sporty, but both routes bring you into the same quiet valley.

After Maestu the landscape opens up and you continue along the old railway line into Navarra. The route keeps a soft, rolling rhythm and leads you past farmland and small hamlets. Without hurry you roll into Estella, where the former railway ends. The centre is a short walk away and a pleasant place to spend the afternoon.

Today you leave the Vía Verde and mostly follow the Camino de Santiago — though in the opposite direction. The landscape becomes more varied, with open hills and quiet farm roads. Now and then a climb asks for some extra attention, but you are rewarded with wide views. By late afternoon you cycle into Pamplona, where the old town invites you to wander a little longer.

You ride out of Pamplona under the watchful eye of Mount San Cristobal, heading to the start of the Vía Verde del Plazaola in the village of Sarasa. After Sarasa there’s a short, steep climb, but then the gentle rhythm typical of the vías verdes takes over. You climb slowly, often without noticing it. The route is beautiful, through forests and along rivers. And the most scenic part is still ahead. Suddenly the town of Lekunberri appears. Its old station has been converted into a visitor centre for the Vía Verde del Plazaola, with an information desk and a cosy bar with a terrace.

As soon as you start pedalling and leave the old station behind, you find yourself in a striking landscape. Green slopes, forests and valleys accompany you to the end of the Vía Verde. This is a stretch where you really ride through nature. The beauty of this route is that you cycle through mountain scenery without steep climbs, thanks to the many tunnels. You even pass through the longest Vía Verde tunnel in Spain. The Vía Verde del Plazaola ends in Andoain. From here you continue along a quiet route to your hotel in the beautiful and very bike-friendly city of San Sebastián.

After breakfast the journey comes to an end. You still have time for a walk through San Sebastián or a coffee on the promenade before travelling onward on your own.

• There is a direct bus between San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz, approximately 4 to 7 times per day, with a connection roughly every 90 minutes. The travel time averages between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes. The bus is comfortable and suitable for travelling with luggage.
• Tickets can easily be booked in advance via:
  Alsa – https://www.alsa.com/en

• 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.

• 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