A Taste of the Outdoors in Biarritz

On your visit to the French Riviera, you will discover that there are lots to do to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and great outdoors.  Although Biarritz is best known for its indoor activities such as fine dining and numerous casinos, if you prefer your holidays to involve a little more getting back to nature there is plenty to keep you occupied.

Whether you’re looking for an active holiday, a wet and wild adventure or just some gentle rambling, the area around Biarritz in the French Riviera has a heap of activities on offer to suit everyone. There are many hotels, Biarritz villas and apartments offering visitors a wealth of choices for accommodation.

Water sports

From the nearby Pyrenees down to the Cote d’Azur, there are plenty of water sport activities to be enjoyed.  With the fast flowing water running down from the mountains, there are plenty of opportunities for white water rafting on the rivers running off the Pyrenees if you’re seeking the ultimate thrill ride.  Canyoning, a sport that combines swimming, climbing and abseiling – gives you the opportunity to see the stunning landscape from a completely different point of view.

On the coast, there are also plenty of ways to enjoy messing about in the water.  A number of surf schools have been established along the coast providing tuition in of surfing and body boarding for everyone from beginners to advanced surfers.  If you prefer your craft to be a little more stable, there are lots of places from which you can hire a kayak or canoe and take to the waters off the beaches around Biarritz.

Cycle trails

The mountainous terrain that surrounds Biarritz can provide a real challenge for cyclists who want to take in some of the spectacular scenery.  There are numerous cycle routes that run through the Pyrenees and many more that if you follow them to their natural conclusion will take you all the way into Spain.

If what you’re seeking is something a little gentler, there are places to hire cycles in Biarritz and lots of coastal paths that you can take that require only gentle climbing to enjoy the beautiful views over the water.  The town of Biarritz itself is also perfect for exploring on two wheels, and the narrow streets mean that you are likely to be largely untroubled by traffic.  There are plenty of places for you to park your bike and enjoy a bite to eat on a day out and about.

Walking routes

A walking tour around the town of Biarritz itself is a perfect way to see all of the sights.  A relatively compact town, Biarritz is just the right size to wander around the principal things that most people will want to see without breaking a sweat.

If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, get outside the town and pick up some of the walking routes that follow the coast or lead you up into the mountains.  With over 500 kilometres of way-marked trails around the Basque country in the south of France and Northern Spain there are lots of routes to suit all levels of ability.

A visit to the tourist office in Biarritz will give you some great ideas on walking and hiking and will help you plan a route.

Conclusion

With some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Europe, you will want to make sure you make the most of your time out and about in Biarritz.  Whether you’re in the water or just looking at it from afar, it makes for a surprisingly perfect backdrop to an activity holiday.

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