En Bikefriendly we are very clear that the specialization and differentiation They are the most effective weapons that the tourism sector has to cope as best as possible with the crisis situation generated by the coronavirus pandemic.
And in this process of searching for differentiation and innovation, we have had the joy of adding to the Bikefriendly accommodation network to a very special hostel located in the province of Gipuzkoa, Abaraxka Azkoitia Hostel.
A Bike-friendly accommodation that promotes a pioneering educational project
But what makes this one so special? Azkoitia hostel who has specialized in cycling? Well to begin with, its meaning. The Abaraxka Azkoitia Hostel is linked to a educational project promoted by an association of local families (Bizilore) committed to promoting a free and more humane model of education for both their children and their neighbors at all stages of life.
So the Abaraxka hostel and restaurant were born to guarantee the economic viability of this comprehensive educational project and pioneer that prioritizes contact with nature, the promotion of creativity and emotional development.
Rural face and cyclist hostel
This new Bikefriendly accommodation in the Basque Country It is made up of two facilities: on the one hand, a country house independent for eight people and, on the other, a hostel with twelve rooms (all of them private) and with capacity for between two and 10 people each.
With its incorporation into Bikefriendly, the reference Quality Seal for accommodation and destinations specialized in cycle tourism In Spain, the Abaraxka Azkoitia Hostel becomes one of the only two accommodations that have achieved the certificate so far Bikefriendly in the province of Gipuzkoa.
Bikefriendly facilities and services
To achieve this, the Abaraxka Azkoitia Hostel has enabled a exclusive space for cyclists with bike hanger individual insurance, workshop area with htools and spare parts basics, inflator, Wash zone and power outlets for recharge e-bikes of your guests.
In addition, they have designed a large set of circular cycle routes from the accommodation that they make available to their visitors and that allow them to get to know the surroundings of Azkoitia both in road bike as in Mountain bike. Finally, they have teamed up with the Aitzaki Kirolak bicycle shop to facilitate and offer directly to their guests the bike rental service during their stay.
Cyclists at the Abaraxka Azkoitia Hostel
Cycling routes from Azkoitia
Abaraxka Azkoitia Hostel is located in a privileged location for the practice of cycle tourism: at Urola river valley, surrounded by mountains but at the same time very close by bicycle to the spectacular Zumaia cliffs. For this reason, this hostel in Azkoitia has very quickly become a regular meeting point for cyclists who start their routes from the hostel and end up having lunch on its terraces or restaurant.
"Is located in the center of the Urola River greenway, which follows the route of the old railway line for 44,3 kilometers between Legazpi and Zumaia; and also very close to the most frequented mountain passes in the area by road cyclists.”
“We have a small advantage – emphasizes the head of Abaraxka Azkoitia Hostel, Urrategi Alberdi -, and that is that we already have a powerful network of bicycle lovers and regular users, locals and guests, who are part of the Abaraxka family and who are allowing us to improve our services with suggestions, new routes, etc. The second advantage is our environment: it is not unusual for guests who arrive with their bicycles to extend their stay to enjoy for more days the cycling routes that the area offers, both by road and mountain.
A sustainable tourism model to promote
“In addition, all this is born from a conviction that the entire Abaraxka team shares: doing our bit to live on a cleaner, more sustainable planet, and in that effort we believe that it is very important that the bicycle has more weight every day when planning both our trips and our daily trips,” concludes Urrategi Alberdi.
As a sign of his commitment to cycle tourism, this accommodation frequently offers special offers for cyclists and during this summer, for example, They gave breakfast to bike travelers who visited them. “We are committed to a cleaner and more ecological future, hence for us the option of tourism 'with pedals' "It's something natural, an alternative that we always try to promote," they explain from the accommodation, hoping to continue receiving cyclists for a long time.
