A cycling route from the Landes coast to the heart of the Basque Country, through pine forests, long ocean beaches, the Adour estuary and the towns of Bayonne and Biarritz.
  • Why we love it
    Because the route is almost completely flat, mostly paved and immersed in nature. For much of the journey, you cycle through the quiet of the forest, surrounded by towering pine trees and small streams, with rest areas and picnic tables along the way. And there is one thing that surprised us: even though you are cycling along a bike path that follows the Atlantic coast, you can hardly ever see the sea. The forest hides it, making the route cool and pleasant even on the hottest days. Starting in Capbreton, you pass through Labenne, Ondres and Tarnos, follow the Adour to Bayonne and then continue towards Anglet and Biarritz, passing through Chiberta Forest. In about 45 kilometres, you travel through three completely different landscapes: the Landes, the Adour and the Basque coast.
  • Travelling time: About 4 hours
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 45 km
  • Total Elevation Gain: 80 m
  • Way to travel: Bicycle or e-bike
  • Cost: 0 €
  • Our Advice: Ideal for a leisurely day of cycling. Bring water, something for a picnic and allow time for a few stops: the beauty of this route lies in enjoying the forest and the scenery, not in reaching your destination quickly. If you have time, don't treat it like a race. Stop in Labenne or Ondres, take a detour to the beach, bring your lunch and make the most of the many rest areas in the forest. You can also cycle only part of the route, choosing, for example, Capbreton–Ondres, Ondres–Bayonne or Bayonne–Biarritz, depending on your time and energy levels.
Map of the cycling route from Capbreton to Bayonne, 29 km along the Vélodyssée, including 27 km on a cycle path
Map of the route from Capbreton to Bayonne: 29 km that can be cycled in about 2 hours, including 27 km on a cycle path.

From Capbreton to the Labenne Forest

Our itinerary starts in Capbreton, overlooking the ocean and home to the only fishing port in the Landes. Before getting on your bike, it is worth taking a walk along the seafront, reaching the estacade or spending a few minutes on the beach listening to the Atlantic.

Plage des Océanides in Capbreton, a wide ocean beach in the Landes with dunes and Atlantic waves
Plage des Océanides in Capbreton, a long beach in the Landes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Photo by S. Ombellini

Then we set off. And almost immediately, the landscape changes. The Vélodyssée gradually leaves the coast and heads into the vast Landes forest. Houses, beaches and the bustle of the seaside resorts give way to long rows of pine trees, the shade of the forest and a sense of tranquillity that accompanies you for much of the journey.

The stretch between Capbreton and Labenne is one of the most pleasant and relaxing sections of the itinerary. The cycle path is paved, wide and almost completely flat; in some places it runs alongside small streams and wetlands, where the vegetation creates a pleasant feeling of coolness, especially on warmer days.

Vélodyssée rest area in Ondres with benches, bicycle repair and inflation tools, and a free book-sharing library
Rest area along the Vélodyssée in Ondres, with benches, a bicycle maintenance station and a small library where you can take books for free.

Along the way, you will find benches, tables and rest areas where you can stop for a break or a picnic.

There are no major monuments to reach, and perhaps that is precisely the beauty of it: here, the attraction is the landscape itself. Cycling slowly among the pine trees, following the ribbon of the cycle path and leaving the noise of the coast behind is already part of the experience.

Cycle path surrounded by vegetation between Capbreton and Ondres, in the Landes forest
The cycle path between Capbreton and Ondres crosses the lush Landes forest, winding among pine trees and vegetation. Photo by S. Ombellini

From Labenne to Ondres: the forest surrounding the cycle path

From Labenne, continue south, still immersed in the greenery of the Landes forest. The vegetation gradually changes, but pine trees remain the main protagonists. In some sections, the cycle path seems almost to disappear among the trees: you ride in the shade, surrounded by the scent of resin, the wind moving through the treetops and the sounds of the forest. 

Labenne beach with a panoramic sign in the foreground showing the names of the Pyrenees mountains visible on the horizon
Labenne beach and, in the foreground, the panoramic sign showing the Pyrenees mountains visible on the horizon on clear days. Photo by S. Ombellini

If you have time, it is worth taking a short detour to Labenne beach. From the top of the dunes, you can enjoy a beautiful view over the long stretch of sand and the Atlantic Ocean, while on the clearest days your gaze can reach as far as the Pyrenees mountain ranges, visible in the distance on the horizon. It is a simple yet evocative stop, ideal for pausing for a few minutes, breathing in the ocean air and looking out over the coastal landscape of the Landes.

When you reach Ondres, it is worth taking a detour towards the ocean. Ondres beach, surrounded by dunes and pine forest, is the perfect place for a break, perhaps with a swim in the Atlantic before continuing south.

Ondres beach seen from above, with surfboards in the foreground and the Atlantic Ocean in the background
Ondres beach seen from above, with surfboards in the foreground and the Atlantic Ocean stretching beyond the Landes coast.

From Ondres to Bayonne: from the pine forest to the Adour

Leaving Ondres behind, the Vélodyssée continues towards Tarnos and Boucau, crossing one of the most beautiful and natural sections of the entire route. In particular, the Tarnos Forest offers some of the most evocative landscapes of this stage: a peaceful, sparsely urbanised environment where the path winds through tall pine forests, cork oaks and strawberry trees. A long section of this cycle route is unpaved, consisting instead of a gravel track.

In some places, the vegetation opens up to reveal real expanses of white flowers, the delicate sea lilies that characterise the sandy landscapes of the Atlantic coast. This is a section where it is worth slowing down and enjoying the silence, cycling immersed in nature.

Sea lilies in bloom in the Tarnos Forest, along the Vélodyssée
Delicate sea lilies bloom among the dunes and vegetation of the Tarnos Forest, along the Vélodyssée. Photo by S. Ombellini

When you reach Boucau, the pace remains pleasantly slow. It is a small, quiet and not at all touristy town, ideal for a short break away from the crowds of the better-known coastal resorts. We stopped at an excellent boulangerie, where we took a break before getting back on our bikes.

Bicycles outside a boulangerie in the quiet town of Boucau, along the Vélodyssée
A break at a boulangerie in Boucau during the cycling route along the Vélodyssée. Photo by S. Ombellini

From here, the landscape gradually changes. The vast Landes forest becomes less continuous, urban settlements begin to appear and, little by little, the Adour comes into view, the great river that leads towards Bayonne and also marks the transition from the Landes to the Basque region.

The cycle path follows the Adour towards Bayonne
The Adour accompanies the Vélodyssée for part of the journey towards Bayonne, between water, vegetation and river landscapes. Photo by S. Ombellini

The official Capbreton–Bayonne stage is 29 kilometres long, with around 90% of the route on a cycle path. It is therefore a particularly pleasant section for those who want to cycle without worrying too much about traffic. However, greater attention is required when crossing Tarnos and Boucau, where some sections run on shared roads.

After spending so many kilometres in the silence of the pine forest, arriving in Bayonne almost feels like entering another world: there are more people, the buildings change and the architecture already reveals the culture of the Basque Country.

Arriving in Bayonne by bicycle along the Vélodyssée
Arriving in Bayonne by bike, among the city's streets and the Adour, at the end of the Vélodyssée stage. Photo by S. Ombellini

Bayonne: a break between the Landes and the Basque Country

Bayonne is the ideal place to interrupt your ride, park your bicycle and spend a few hours exploring the city.

Colourful half-timbered houses along the Adour in Bayonne with bicycles in the foreground
Bayonne's characteristic colourful half-timbered houses along the Vélodyssée. Photo by S. Ombellini

Located at the confluence of the Adour and Nive, Bayonne boasts an extraordinary architectural heritage: the half-timbered houses and arcades of Petit Bayonne, the characteristic quays along the Nive, the Saint-Esprit district and the magnificent Cathedral of Sainte-Marie, with its tall towers and elegant stained-glass windows.

Interior of Sainte-Marie Cathedral in Bayonne with high vaulted ceilings and colourful stained-glass windows
The interior of Sainte-Marie Cathedral in Bayonne, with its high Gothic vaults and beautiful colourful stained-glass windows. Photo by S. Ombellini

Place du Réduit and the covered market are also worth a stroll, where you can discover local products and soak up the city's lively atmosphere. It is one of the best places to experience everyday life in Bayonne and take a break after the bike ride.

Covered market and colourful half-timbered houses in the historic centre of Bayonne
Bayonne's covered market and the characteristic colourful half-timbered houses of the historic centre, in the heart of the Basque city. Photo by S. Ombellini

But Bayonne also marks a cultural and gastronomic transition. Here, the journey from the Landes towards the Basque Country becomes evident not only in the landscape, but also in the flavours.

It is the perfect time for a break dedicated to local specialities: from the famous Bayonne chocolate to Basque cake, as well as Axoa and other traditional Basque dishes. After a morning of cycling, a stop at one of the city's pastry shops, chocolate shops or market stalls is almost a must.

A coffee break with outdoor tables in front of the market in Bayonne
A pleasant coffee break, with outdoor tables in front of the Bayonne market, in the heart of the historic centre.

From Bayonne to Biarritz: the Adour, the forest and finally the ocean

From Bayonne begins the second part of our itinerary, another 16 kilometres to Biarritz.

Map of the Vélodyssée from Bayonne to Biarritz

The Vélodyssée leaves the city, following the Adour for another stretch, with the Basque mountains in the background. Then the route changes its surroundings once again and crosses the Chiberta Forest before reaching the beaches of Anglet. And this is where the ocean reappears.

View of Anglet beach with waves, clouds and surfers in the Atlantic Ocean
Anglet beach overlooking the Atlantic, with waves, surfers and a cloudy sky in the background.

After losing sight of it for much of the ride, seeing the Atlantic again is almost a little surprise. The light changes, the horizon opens up and the sea once again becomes the main feature of the landscape.

Biarritz lighthouse overlooking the sea with green vegetation and bicycles in the foreground
The Biarritz lighthouse overlooking the ocean, surrounded by coastal greenery, with bicycles in the foreground.

From Anglet, continue towards Biarritz, one of the most famous resorts on the Basque coast. The contrast with the tranquillity of the forest is striking: traffic, people and urbanisation increase, while the route begins to follow the coastline and approach the city's beaches and cliffs.

This is also the most challenging section of the itinerary. The 16 kilometres from Bayonne to Biarritz include 108 metres of ascent and some sections on shared roads. In central Biarritz, traffic can be heavy in summer and some streets are narrow, so it is best to proceed with caution, especially when travelling with children.

The final effort, however, is amply rewarded by arriving at the ocean and the open horizon over the Bay of Biscay.

Sea view in Biarritz from the Basque coast
View of the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Biarritz. Photo by S. Ombellini

One itinerary, three landscapes

It is precisely the constant transformation of the landscape that makes this route so special.

- from Capbreton to Labenne: ocean, dunes and the first stretches through the vast Landes forest.

- from Labenne to Ondres: pine forest alongside streams, with long cycle paths immersed in greenery.

- from Ondres to Tarnos: a more natural and wild pine forest, rich vegetation and sea lilies.

- from Tarnos to Bayonne: the forest gradually gives way to urban settlements and the Adour appears.

- from Bayonne to Anglet and Biarritz: the river, Chiberta Forest, the beaches and finally the ocean.

Over 45 kilometres, combining the two stages of the Vélodyssée, you pass through very different environments: you start in the Landes, reach the heart of the Basque Country and find the Atlantic again right at the end of the journey. Perhaps this is the best way to explore this part of France: not by trying to reach your destination quickly, but by cycling slowly and allowing the landscape to change kilometre after kilometre beneath your wheels.