The French Basque Country is one of Europe’s most spectacular regions for cycling. Quiet mountain roads, endless gravel tracks, and dramatic landscapes between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic create an unforgettable playground on two wheels. Rich culture, incredible food, and warm hospitality make every day here a unique experience.
Our limited-edition Gravel Cycling, Nutrition & Yoga Retreat has been designed for cyclists who want more than just riding. Over a carefully curated few days, you’ll explore beautiful gravel routes through forests, mountain passes and traditional Basque villages while also focusing on recovery, performance and wellbeing.
Each day combines guided gravel riding, sports nutrition support, and restorative yoga sessions, creating the perfect balance between effort and recovery. You’ll stay in a beautiful hand-picked accommodation, enjoy exceptional local cuisine, and benefit from expert guidance designed to help you ride stronger and feel better both on and off the bike.
This retreat is intentionally small and exclusive, allowing us to create a relaxed, supportive atmosphere where every guest receives personal attention and can fully disconnect from daily life.
If you’re looking for a unique cycling escape where adventure, wellbeing and beautiful surroundings come together - this special Basque edition retreat is for you.
From your arrival to your final ride, we take care of every detail so that you can simply focus on enjoying the experience.
For any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@paradise-cycling.com
Join us for an unforgettable Basque adventure.
Paradise Cycling, Karelle Laurent Nutrition & Gravel-Up
Welcome to France!
You will be met in the arrivals area at Biarritz airport or at Biarritz Train Station, then be transferred, with your luggage, to Indarra Hotel & Spa.
At the hotel you will be welcomed by our friendly team and checked in. Depending on your arrival time, there may be the opportunity for a short afternoon spin before dinner.
In the evening we will gather for a welcome briefing followed by dinner at the hotel.
Our team will also assist with bike set-up, with a full toolkit, floor pumps and everything you might need to get your bike ready for the week ahead.
The evening will begin with a Basque-inspired dinner at the hotel, highlighting local products and regional specialties. In this warm and friendly atmosphere, you’ll get to know the rest of the group, as well as your guides and the team of organisers.
We will start the day with a wonderful breakfast together at the hotel.
Today we begin our exploration of the Basque countryside with a spectacular ride inland towards the historic town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Quiet roads, beautiful rolling terrain and stunning views of the Pyrenees make for the perfect first day on the bike.
A picnic lunch will be enjoyed along the route before returning to the hotel.
Duration: 61 km | 1170 m D+
In the evening we will unwind with a yoga session to help stretch and recover after the ride.
Enjoy an outdoor lunch during your ride!
Yoga Session
In the evening we will enjoy another dinner all together at the hotel, the menu curated by Karelle our nutritionist who will ensure that the meals are nutritious, balanced and utterly delicious, even for all dietary requirements!
Today’s ride takes us through the beautiful landscapes of the Landes region, known for its forests, quiet roads and peaceful atmosphere. The route offers smooth riding and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery along the way.
Duration: 50-60 km | 1000 m D+
A picnic lunch will be provided before returning to the hotel where guests can enjoy scheduled massage sessions with our therapists to aid recovery.
Enjoy a wonderful and relaxing massage during the afternoon to aid in your recovery.
Learn all about the basics of a healthy plate and an introduction to gut health.
Dinner all together at the hotel restaurant
Today we take a break from the bike and head into the mountains for a hike around the famous La Rhune, one of the most iconic peaks in the Basque Country.
The walk offers spectacular views across both France and Spain and a different perspective on this beautiful region.
After returning to the hotel we will enjoy a relaxed late lunch, followed by a yoga session and an evening nutrition talk exploring how to fuel for endurance riding.
A hike to the summit of La Rhune, the iconic mountain of the French Basque Country, where sweeping views stretch from the Pyrenees to the Atlantic Ocean - a truly unforgettable way to experience the wild beauty of the region.
Enjoy a lovely lunch full of filling and fueling foods!
Enjoy a lovely lunch full of filling and fueling foods!
Today's talk will be fuelling your body correctly for performance as well as a section on hormones and women's health. (Not just for women!)
Dinner all together at the hotel restaurant.
Often described as the “Queen Stage” of the week, today’s ride explores the beautiful roads surrounding La Rhune. Expect spectacular climbs, quiet countryside roads and breathtaking views throughout the ride.
We will stop for lunch along the way before returning to the hotel where massage sessions will again be available as an optional extra.
Duration: 70 km | 1400 m D+
The afternoon can be spent relaxing by the pool or enjoying the sauna and hammam.
Massage sessions will again be available as an optional extra. You can choose to have this extra recovery session or not!
Take this time to enjoy the hotels facilities like the pool, the spa and the hamman.
We will aim to eat out at one of the great local restaurants to sample some of the best local cuisine. This is included in the price of your package.
On the final day you can choose between a relaxed “hangover ride” to enjoy one last spin through the Basque countryside or a scenic hike nearby.
Optional massages are available for anyone wanting a final recovery session before departure.
For those staying longer there will be the option to enjoy lunch together before we say goodbye to a wonderful week of riding, wellness and great company.
Departure Massage
Lunch before you leave!
We will be sad to see you leave but hope you will come back on a next adventure!
PRICE PER PERSON
Shared Room €1600pp
Single Room €1950pp
Airport transfers
6 nights at Indarra, Hotel & Spa
Buffet breakfast each day
Meet & greet, bike set up, orientation
Minimum 4 guided rides
3 course meals plus wine each evening, designed by Karelle
Lunches each day
2 nutrition talks and Q&A sessions with Karelle
2 yoga sessions
1 massage mid-week
Stretching and meditation sessions
Civil Liability Insurance
5 star Service – our promise
When booking your trip, you can rent our premium gravel and e-gravel bikes through our partner Origine.
Multiple-time winners of “Gravel bike of the year”, you can choose between:
The GRAXX GTO mechanical model (carbon frame and carbon wheels, weight: 8.1 kg)
The HELP electric-assist model (aluminium frame and wheels, weight: 12 kg)
These bikes combine performance, versatility and lightweight design to enhance your riding experience throughout your trip. Learn more about our Origine our gravel bikes.
Arrival and departure day lunch
Flights
Transfers from airports other than Biarritz
Other costs not listed above
The French Basque Country enjoys a mild oceanic climate, influenced by both the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby Pyrenees mountains. Summers are generally warm but rarely extreme, with fresh sea air and comfortable temperatures that are ideal for outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, and yoga. The region is known for its lush green landscapes, created by occasional showers that keep the countryside vibrant year-round.
Gravel cycling in the French Basque Country is both beautiful and challenging, offering a varied mix of terrain. Routes typically combine quiet country roads, forest tracks, mountain gravel paths and occasional steeper climbs as the landscape rises toward the Pyrenees.
Riders can expect terrain with some sustained climbs, rewarding you with spectacular views over green valleys, traditional Basque villages, and the Atlantic coastline.
We have e-gravel bikes available for rental for those that would enjoy the cycling more that way!
The hikes are not too technical, but we do recommend you bring walking shoes or trail trainers to suit the rockier trails.
Karelle, our host and certified nutritionist takes care of all the menus for the week. Food will be seasonal and will vary a little depending on what the farm is harvesting in the moment.
Food is fresh, packed full of all the nutrients you will need to replenish your body, fuelled for the week of excercise and keep you energized.
Karelle will also be available for 1:1 sessions during the week if you’ve got particular questions regarding your diet.
Bike*
Inner tube, hand pump, levers, multitool*
Pedals
Helmet
Cycling shoes
Walking shoes / trainers
Powermeter/Di2/Sram batteries/Garmin chargers as appropriate*
Sunglasses (including clear lenses if you have them)
Cycling gloves (depending on season)
Cycling rain jacket
Saddle (All of our hire bikes are equipped with a saddle, of course. However, we recommend that you bring your own if it is comfortable for you rather than spending a week sitting on a saddle that may not be suitable for you.)
Bib shorts, jersey, gilet, socks- minimum 4 sets.
Arm/leg warmers
Rain/wind vest
Base-layer (depending on season)
Chamois Cream
Rear bike light + chargers
Water bottles x 2 (we have bottles available to purchase).
Garmin/Wahoo and mount
Energy bars/snacks that you particularly like!
Regular clothes and light jacket or jumper for evening
Yoga-wear
Swimsuit (many of the hotels have pools or spa)
Evening shoes / sandals
Passport (Check expiry date)
Travel Insurance
Sun protection
USB charger
First aid kit
Toiletries
Cellphone and charger
Id or passport
Credit/debit card
Medications and prescriptions
Power adapter
Ear plugs / eye mask
Powerbank
* If you have hired a bike you can ignore these items.
Karelle Laurent
'I am french and a mother of two. I am (also) lucky enough to call Portugal my home, and speak fluent English as well as my native French. I am a registered nutrition therapist (Karelle Laurent Nutrition). I have a clinic and I offer 1 – 1 consultations with clients to support them with their performance and health goals. I also offer group sessions online to clients based in Singapore, France or the UK and here in Portugal'
Fiona Hunter Johnston
'I moved to Portugal 10 years ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. I have a passion for cycling and exploring new routes both on-road and off road. I have had Paradise Cycling Tours for 4 years now, and it's the dream job.
When I made friends with Karelle on the bike, it was clear that creating a partnership together made sense, and we had something unique to offer.'
I am proficient in French and Portuguese, in addition to my home language of English.
Gravel-Up
It was founded by three friends - Jean-Baptiste, Olivier, and Aurélien - who met while living abroad and bonded through their shared passion for cycling and adventure travel. Inspired by their own gravel bike journeys exploring remote landscapes, they created Gravel-Up to help others experience the same sense of freedom and discovery.
Paradise Cycling Tours Unipessoal LDA
Bairro da Boavista 6
8100-016 Alte
Portugal
NIPC 517913704
Contact:
Fiona Hunter Johnston
+351 931325694
Karelle Laurent
+33 6 13 41 27 12
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