Hike, Bike & Wine in Spain's Basque Country

Tapas and pintxos are both traditional Spanish ways of eating with very different origins, presentations and styles.

Tapas is the well-known 'small plate' form of Spanish dining, with options varying from olives and cheeses to squid and shrimp, hot and cold dishes, and can vary from a simple snack to a more elaborate mini-meal. The term tapas means 'covers' or 'lids' in Spanish, alluding to the origin story where slices of bread or meat were used to cover drinks to protect them from flies.

Pintxos (also spelled – and pronounced – 'pinchos') are less well-known and quite different. These are small snacks or appetizers usually served in bars in northern Spain, particularly in the Basque Country. The Basque word pintxo comes from the Spanish word pincho, which means 'spike' or 'skewer', as these snacks are often held together by a skewer or toothpick. While pintxos are similar to tapas in that they are small dishes served in Spanish bars, pintxos are generally more elaborate and feature a variety of ingredients piled on top of a slice of bread. Pintxos are more synonymous with the finer dining food scene to be found in San Sebastian and other parts of northern Spain.

Pintxos are typically displayed on the bar counter, and you select what you want by pointing. They are generally eaten in one or two bites, often while standing at the bar. In the Basque region, it is common to 'pintxo-hop' – moving from bar to bar, having a small drink and a pintxo at each stop. In some bars in this region, a customer's bill is calculated by counting the number and color of the toothpicks that they have accumulated.

Pintxos can include a wide range of ingredients such as seafood, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and sauces, with hot or cold options. Some examples of pintxos that you will find on your hopping escapades are listed below:

Gilda: an anchovy, an olive, and a pickled guindilla pepper on a skewer. One of the simplest and most traditional pintxos, named after a Rita Hayworth character.

Pintxos Morunos: typically made with marinated pork (although chicken or lamb can also be used), meat is marinated in a mixture of paprika, cumin, cilantro, and garlic, then grilled and served on a skewer.

Tortilla Española: like the classic tapas dish, this is a thick omelet made with potatoes and onions, served at room temperature; but for a pintxo a small slice of tortilla is cut and placed on a piece of bread.

Pintxos de Chorizo y Queso: spicy chorizo and a slice of creamy cheese on a piece of crusty bread.

Pintxos de Gambas: cooked shrimp in olive oil with garlic and chili, skewered with a piece of bread and a slice of roasted red pepper.

Bacalao a la Vizcaina: a more complex pintxo of cod cooked in a sauce made from onions, red peppers, and tomatoes, served on a small piece of bread.

Your host is an expert in all things Northern Spain, running many other Much Better Adventures in the area over the years – so if weather affects anything on this trip, they have ample knowledge of alternatives to pivot to. We don't run this trip in July and August, as the heat can make active adventures less enjoyable.

There will be two guides on the trip for all group sizes of six and above; there will be one guide for groups of fewer than six adventurers.

You'll be riding a BH Atom Pro - this is an electric hardtail bike, with suspension at the front. You'll be fitted with the correct size bike and given instruction on using an e-bike if this is your first time.

You'll have the same base for four of the five nights on this trip, so your main luggage can remain there until your final night in San Sebastian, when your luggage will be transferred to the hotel there.

Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in this part of Spain. Bring along a water bottle to fill up throughout the trip to take with you on the activities.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and are not mandatory on this trip. Of course, if you feel that your guides provided an exceptional experience, then you are welcome to tip as much as you feel is appropriate. You should factor in tipping 10% on top of the bill in any bars and restaurants during the trip.

This trip operates in areas where daytime temperatures can reach extreme highs, where limited shade and high humidity can also be a factor. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness. Your guide will adjust the pace and monitor the group closely, but hydration, proper clothing, and sun protection are essential.

Before traveling, consider your ability to be active in high temperatures and consult a medical professional if you have concerns –especially if you have any cardiovascular or heat-sensitive conditions. Arriving a day or two prior to the trip may help you adjust gradually to the heat.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.