Basque Country Climbs
Climb | Town | Altitude (m) | Length (km) | Gradient (%) | Difficulty | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arrate | Eibar | 606 | 7.2 | 6.2 | 442 | **** |
Azurki | Zestoa | 673 | 14.7 | 3.7 | 995 | **** |
Azurki | Azkoitia | 673 | 7.5 | 7.2 | 515 | **** |
Puerto de Urkiola | Mañaria | 713 | 5.7 | 9.2 | 675 | *** |
Puerto de Urkiola | Otxandio | 713 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 95 | ** |
Monte Oiz | Gernika | 1019 | 20.2 | 5.0 | 1340 | **** |
Castillo del Ingles | Irun | 497 | 9.2 | 5.2 | 377 | *** |
Jaizkibel | Lezo | 455 | 8.2 | 5.4 | 302 | **** |
Jaizkibel | Hondarribia | 455 | 9.6 | 4.7 | 290 | **** |
Arantzazu | Oñati | 718 | 7.8 | 6 | 388 | *** |
Aritxulegi | Oiartzun | 452 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 144 | *** |
Arrate | Azitain | 583 | 5 | 9.6 | 721 | ** |
Azurki | Elgoibar | 675 | 9.3 | 6.6 | 455 | *** |
Bordako Tontorra | Camino de Igarra | 255 | 2.5 | 9 | 372 | *** |
Castillo del Inglés | Oiartzun | 497 | 12 | 4 | 290 | *** |
Elosua | Azkoitia (GI-631) | 683 | 9.7 | 5.6 | 435 | *** |
Elosua | Bergara | 683 | 7 | 7.7 | 522 | *** |
Gontzegaraigane | Iruzubieta | 365 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 94 | *** |
Iturburu | Azpeitia | 550 | 14 | 3.4 | 242 | *** |
Iturburu | Iturburu | 550 | 9.6 | 4.8 | 382 | *** |
Jata | Bakio | 270 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 121 | *** |
Jata | Erbera | 280 | 7.6 | 3.6 | 104 | *** |
Monte Igueldo | Orio | 369 | 7.4 | 4.9 | 274 | **** |
Monte Igueldo | San Sebastían | 369 | 6.6 | 4.8 | 224 | **** |
Monte Oiz | Iurreta | 1019 | 14.7 | 6.1 | 1241 | *** |
Monte Oiz | Munitibar | 1019 | 8.8 | 9.4 | 1422 | **** |
Orduña | Orduña | 900 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 622 | *** |
Osma | Osma | 1090 | 4.1 | 12.8 | 927 | ** |
Sollube | Bermeo | 686 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 744 | **** |
Sollube | Larrauri | 686 | 11.6 | 5.1 | 454 | ** |
Urdaneta | Zarautz | 378 | 5.1 | 7.2 | 475 | *** |
Herrera | Leza | 1110 | 5.6 | 8.2 | 341 | *** |
Herrera | Peñacerrada | 1110 | 7.3 | 4.8 | 144 | *** |
La Aldea | El Campillar | 1000 | 18 | 3.4 | 178 | **** |
Aia | Orio | 328 | 4.5 | 7.0 | 385 | *** |
Aia | Andatza | 315 | 1.4 | 14.7 | 665 | *** |
Asentzio | Bergara | 547 | 7.9 | 5.1 | 242 | *** |
Kanpazar | Elorrio | 457 | 5.6 | 4.4 | 105 | * |
Urkarregi | Elgoibar | 346 | 6 | 5 | 134 | *** |
Karabieta | Eibar | 565 | 6.7 | 6.5 | 241 | *** |
Urkarregi | Etxebarria | 346 | 5.4 | 4.5 | 117 | *** |
Santa Eufemia | Markina-Xemein | 353 | 3.4 | 7.7 | 199 | *** |
Santa Eufemia | Aulesti | 353 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 151 | *** |
Gontzegaraigane | Munitibar | 365 | 2.6 | 6.5 | 85 | *** |
Ixua | Etxebarria | 545 | 8.9 | 4.9 | 240 | *** |
Itziar | Deba | 224 | 5 | 4.1 | 68 | ** |
Itziar | Zumaia | 224 | 6.4 | 3 | 47 | ** |
Garate | Getaria | 245 | 2.9 | 7.5 | 145 | **** |
Kalbario | Astigarribia | 225 | 3 | 6.1 | 122 | *** |
Kalbario | Mutriku | 233 | 2.3 | 7.6 | 105 | *** |
Garrastatxu | Baranbio | 560 | 2.8 | 10.6 | 411 | *** |
Mendeika | Izoria | 488 | 5 | 4.4 | 148 | **** |
Mendeika | Orduña | 459 | 5.5 | 2.9 | 155 | **** |
Kurtzeta | Arrasate | 702 | 7.8 | 5.4 | 215 | *** |
Untzella | Ibarra (Aramaio) | 475 | 2.4 | 8.5 | 197 | *** |
Untzella | Aretxabaleta | 475 | 3.8 | 6.5 | 221 | *** |
Mountains
The Basque Country is not home to a single range of high mountains as is the case in many provinces throughout Spain; however, the whole region is hilly or mountainous with a great range of medium length climbs to choose from.On the coast the climbs are often gentle, but as you head further inland you will come across more of the short, steep ascents that characterize the regions professional cycle tour - the Vuelta a Pais Vasco.
Scenery
The Basque Country, like much of northern Spain, offers a vibrant green landscape. Most climbs are in the trees until the top, which prevents the fantastic long views that you get from high mountains. However, the coast is spectacular and on a sunny day the views from climbs near to the coast are stunning.Roads
The road surfaces are of a consistently excellent quality throughout the Basque Country and are a pleasure to ride on a road bike.The traffic varies depending on the climb. Some are completely empty, while others can carry a lot of heavy goods traffic. Local knowledge of the area is essential.
Getting There
The Basque Country is easy to reach. Bilbao is the main airport, but it is also possible to fly into San Sebastian (the airport is actually in the nearby town of Irun).Both major cities, as well as the regional capital Vitoria Gasteiz, are well connected with trains from Madrid. It is also quite easy to get to the border with France from Paris.
Weather
The Basque Country sees more rain than most regions in Spain. However, it is all relative, and it still is dry and sunny more often than not; and is generally warm enough to cycle all of the climbs throughout the year.Tours
We run two tours to the region. Our Basque Coast tour is a self-guided holiday along the coast. There are two route options; one which is gently rolling and quite easy, and another which tackles more of the climbs.The other tour is guided, with an emphasis on enjoying the fantastic food and drink in the region. The routes are generally easy, but there are optional extensions if you would wish to do some of the climbs in the area.