Spain – The Basque Pyrenees – Written (01-12)
The Basque Pyrenees – – – Spain
We had just finished our spring semester when my roommate Jack and I landed in Bilbao Spain on May 19. We were stoked as this was going to be a legendary trip filled with hiking, exploring different cities and even the Basque Country where Jacks relatives are from.We booked our adventure through On Foot Holidays and they took care of our accommodations and brining any extra luggage from place to place everyday while we walked so we did not have to carry massive bags. After landing in Bilbao we were shuttled off to a small village called Erratzu, high up in the Baztan valley, where we stayed for the night. We awoke the first morning to an amazing breakfast before beginning our 16 km trek for the day.
We put our phones in the bottom of our backpacks for the duration of the walking and relied on our abilities to read directions off a printed map. On the first day, being filled with excitement we came to a cross rode and decided to go right. After about a quarter mile walking that direction, Yuen (a man we met that morning) came running around the bend to inform us we were traveling the wrong direction and if we continued we would end up in FRANCE. We then turned around and continued on the correct route, thankful for Yuen looking our for us.
The rest of the day flew by and before long we arrived in Etxalar for the night.
The next day we were headed towards the small town of Bera which was not very far, only about 7 miles. The walk led us on the boarder of Spain and France for the majority of the day and at the halfway point there was a small restaurant. As we approached we saw Yuen and his wife already sitting there waiting for us to arrive so they could buy us a few pints, which we did not refuse. After about a hour of chatting we decided we were going to climb a hill and eat our lunch together there. That was a great idea, the views were stunning and Jack and I feasted on bread and cheese sandwiches.
After the lunch it was time to continue on. As I stated earlier we were on the boarder of Spain and France for the majority of the day today and in the image below I am in Spain while Jack in across the border in France.
Bera was a beautiful old Spanish town with great accommodation for us but unfortunately we did not take any pictures so you will just have to trust me on that one.
Once we arrived in the village we learned of a football game taking place later that night so when night rolled around we went to a bar and cheered for the team. The whole bar erupted when the game ended and it was really spectacular to see a whole village come together to root for their team. By the end of the game it was close to midnight and we had a long day ahead of us so we went to sleep.
Now the next day was suppossed to be