Hike, E-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 appetisers 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 colour 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, coriander, and garlic, then grilled and served on a skewer.

Tortilla Española: like the classic tapas dish, this is a thick omelette 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 prawns in olive oil with garlic and chilli, 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.

Your e-bike will assist with about 25% of the effort on an average ride, meaning you'll provide about 75% of the effort. There will be moments when you'll need to switch to Boost mode for short bursts of power, especially on challenging terrain or steep sections. However, most of your ride will be in Eco and Trail modes, with Eco mode often being your go-to on climbs to conserve battery life throughout the day. This balance ensures a smooth, enjoyable ride while still giving you the thrill of exploration on two wheels.

In terms of speed, the power assistance on e-bikes is typically capped at around 25kph (15mph). If you want to go faster, you'll need to pedal harder! You can adjust the power levels to match your pace and terrain. Your cycling guide will brief you on how to use the different modes to optimise your ride and make the battery last:

Eco Mode: Low power for energy efficiency, giving you longer battery life on flat terrain.
Auto Mode: Automatically adjusts the power based on terrain and your pedalling effort for a more balanced ride.
Sport Mode: Provides mid-range power, ideal for moderate hills and faster cruising. Turbo Mode: Delivers maximum power, perfect for steep hills or when you want to ride fast.

When it comes to battery power, the e-bike batteries are typically charged overnight, usually at your accommodation. There will be a couple of spare batteries in the support vehicle just in case. However, if you manage your battery usage throughout the day (for example, by avoiding using turbo mode all the time), you’ll find that the battery lasts long enough for most rides without any issues.

Please check that e-biking is covered under your travel insurance. Our e-bikes are pedal-assist and comply with UK/EU regulations on power limits (unless stated otherwise for specific destinations).

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.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Spain’s cuisine is shaped by a mix of Mediterranean agriculture, regional climates and a long history of trade and cultural exchange, resulting in varied, seasonal dishes that often centre on olive oil, vegetables, seafood and cured meats. This diversity means travellers with dietary requirements can often find suitable options, particularly in larger towns, though menus can be meat- and dairy-heavy in some regions. Vegetarian and gluten-free choices are increasingly understood, but it helps to plan ahead and communicate needs clearly, with a guide on hand to assist where language or local customs present challenges.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Vegan Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Kosher Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal Certified Halal supply varies by destination and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Lactose-free Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority.

Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

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 are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

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 on a daily basis so this does mean that 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. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

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.

On April trips you can expect average highs around 16-20°C (61-68°F) and nighttime lows of around 5-9°C (41-48°F) with a mix of sunny and cloudy days and occasional rain showers.

Things warm up in May and June, with average highs ranging from 20-28°C (75-82°F) and lows of between 8-16°C (54-61°F), gradually getting warmer into late May and June with more consistent sunshine. By June the chances of rain diminish significantly.

September is very similar to June's temperatures and precipitation levels, and is a fantastic time to visit. Things cool down a little in October with average highs around 18-22°C (64-72°F) and lows around 8-12°C (46-54°F), with some rainfall possible.

Note that in general there is higher chance of rain when you get to the coast compared with the inland sections in southern Basque Country and La Rioja region.