Day 1: Arrival

Arrival by own arrangement, directly to the hotel, or fly to Bilbao (upon request we can book a cheap flight for you). Collection from Bilbao Airport by our tour guide.
Small guided tour of the Old Town, including a visit to a Pintxos bar, then transfer to the mountain hotel in the Hecho Valley (journey time ca. 3 hours). Greeting session at the hotel in the evening and presentation of the programme, followed by dinner together.

Day 2: Hike on smugglers’ trails

Hike from the hotel along smugglers’ trails and on an old Roman Road through the Hecho Valley, visit to prehistoric archaeological sites, lunch in a beer garden or picnic (ca. 9 km, 550 m ascent, 4½ hours). Transfer back to the hotel, upon return visit to the hotel’s own brewery, with information on brewing and a beer tasting.

Day 3: Hike to the Mallos de Riglos, wine tasting

Transfer to Riglos, hike around these impressive rock formations (ca. 6 km, 400 m ascent, 3½ hours), refreshment stop in a restaurant, then transfer to an eco-winegrower with a tour of the organic wine cellar and wine tasting, then transfer back to the hotel.

Day 4: Hike to Siresa and to Hecho Village

Hike from the hotel to Siresa and a visit to the Romanesque monastery, then on to Hecho and a tour of the pretty little mountain village. Lunch in a typical regional restaurant, followed by a hike in the afternoon around Hecho, or you may spend the afternoon as you please (ca. 7-11 km, 2-4 hours). By bus back to the hotel.

Day 5: Hike to a vulture feeding station and a deserted village, picnic

Transfer to the neighbouring valley, hike to a vulture feeding station, where hundreds of wild vultures feed. The hike continues with information about the former life in this region, which was full of privation (ca. 9 km, 550 m ascent, 5 hours),

Picnic at the Veral River, with a nice bathing spot. Transfer back to the hotel.

Vulture feeding usually takes place on Thursdays, but possibly on another day, or may be cancelled due to a lack of feed.

Day 6: Hike to the monastery and visit to an organic farm

Transfer to Santa Cruz de la Seros, ascent to the monastery with panoramic views of the Camino de Santiago, visit to the Romanesque monastery of San Juan de la Pena. In the afternoon, visit to a traditional organic farm (ca. 10 km, 500 m ascent, 5 hours). Transfer back to the hotel.

Day 7: Hike to a special high valley

Transfer to the Upper Hecho Valley, final hike through the mountains to a special high valley (ca. 8 km, 400 m ascent, 4 hours). On the way back, refreshment stop in a beer garden. The hiking week concludes with dinner together in the hotel in the evening.

Day 8: Return home

Transfer to Bilbao Airport, flight home by own arrangement