Wearing a good pair of hiking shoes is important. Journey to Cabo Fisterra, the westernmost tip of Spain and a continuation of El Camino for many pilgrims. Its actually Barcelonas oldest, dating back to 1905! The last hike on this list of best spot to hike Picos de Europa is the Ordiales Scenic Balcony Trail, a famous walk in Spain. Plus, this hostel is situated right in the heart of the city, within easy walking distance of all the top tourist attractions. WEST HIGHLAND WAY. Wild camping is fairly tolerated, especially along the Atlantic Coast (not beaches; and not the Mediterranean Coast), in rural areas, and away from resorts and tourist hotspots. Hopefully, youve found one or two hikes that you have now added to your list. Even though its challenging, the trail itself is easy to follow. If you want to be literally on the Camino de Santiago, there are even a few cities along the way: Leon, Pamplona, or the smaller Burgos. After reaching Sant Pere de Rodes, follow the uphill path to the fortress. From the world famous Appalachian Trail in America which spans 14 states and more than 2,000 miles, to the little-known Hadrian's Wall trek that goes from one end of Scotland to the other, long-distance trails aren't a new addition to this wonderful world. Follow country roads and take in the view from El Crucero de Santo Toribio, a stone cross that has marked this trail for centuries. With its 170 kilometres, it is certainly a long-distance trek - and you'll be walking on high mountain trails with a lot of elevation gain (around 10,600m/35,000ft) over the course of the 11-day hike. If you want to begin in Aiguamolls de lEmporda, theres a public transit station located right at the entrance of the park. You have to book if you want to try out the Kings Little Path. Theyre available to order online here. Alright folks, this hotel is one for the books! The Euskal Herria Trail, it starts from Navarra, then crosses Guipuzkoa, passes through lava and ends at the Port of Kruzeta in Belagua. You are not online. Hiking is an amazing way to get stuck into Spains spectacular scenery, and theres a huge choice of trails for different abilities to choose from. That is a massive 620 miles. Continue into the heart of the city to Plaza do Obradoiro, located at the foot of the cathedral and the endpoint of the pilgrimage route. Haute Route. If youre planning on embarking on one of the longer treks, make sure you have suitable equipment for camping and keeping yourself warm on the cooler Spanish nights. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Taking a bus is a good option, especially in summer as the roads are closed to cars and by bus is the only way to get through the park. 16:40 h. 894 m. 889 m. The Grande Rota do Guadiana (GR15) is about 65 km long and covers the territory of the Lower Guadiana Algarve. This guidebook can be an incredible resource to help you plan! The Covadonga Lakes Trail is a beautiful Spanish hike that takes you around two gleaming lakes in Asturias. Again, thank you! However, as you approach the summit, it gets much more challenging, so be sure that youre adequately prepared! Getting There: Getting to the Caminito del Rey is fairly easy, if youre coming from Malaga. Grab your backpack and hit the road! Its no wonder that this trail is also known as The Divine Gorge because it certainly provides some of the most divine views in all of Spain! Where you walk greatly determines the scenery but its said that the most beautiful parts of the route are near the National Park of Aiguamolls de lEmporda and in the south between Bergur and Palafrugell. (12 miles hiking, 6 hours). . Buy a Geopress: its the last water bottle youll ever buy. Take a guided tour of the old town and its 13th-century Gothic cathedral, a World Heritage site. The hike is so short because for the first part, youll travel by bus until you reach 2,700 meters, from which youll complete the hike to the summit. Enjoy time to explore on your own before our farewell dinner. There are several trails that reach the summit of this mountain, all ranging in difficulty and length. UP YOUR PACKING GAME! The reasons are many and varied. There are a lot of information online when it comes to walking the Camino de Santiago. There are two other trails that travel up the southern side of the mountain that are also moderate in difficulty, so theres something for every kind of hiker here. Getting to the route depends on where youre starting from. A sweet spot for a Freewalkers walk is about 25-30 miles, with 50 being on the "extreme side". Here at LOWA, we love exploring the plethora of walking trails in Europe and have picked out just seven of the best long-distance walks for you to browse ahead of your next hiking adventure. After an orientation, set out on a walk through the old city and the streets made famous by the running of the bulls. The Kings Little Path is named after a visit by King Alfonso XIII in 1921 to inaugurate the construction of a dam. Among the many trails that can be followed to complete it (the Northern Way, the Winter Way, the Portuguese Way, the Sea of Arousa, the Primitive, the English) highlights the French Way, which runs for just over 750 km between Saint Jean Pied de Port (France) and Santiago de Compostela. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Meet up for a welcome dinner tonight. Choose from thousands of activities thought out for you. And how can I stay safe?. Because of its popularity, accommodation in Spain is a breeze. This route is a project that aims to link almost all the Catalan long distance trails to make a circular circuit of about 1,000 kilometers that runs through the interior of Catalonia, with Lleida as starting and finishing point. Stretching across 79 miles, you can take to the Great Glen Way by foot, by bike or even by boat. Walking above Loch Lomond, Scotland. Although many tourists do come for the beaches and resorts, just as many come for its nature and some for the fine hiking opportunities. Spend time soaking in the beauty of the cape, and sit down to lunch at a local restaurant in town. Just make sure you take plenty of water and food to keep you fuelled up. Yep, its a hikers paradise. As you walk about the green valleys youll come across rustic shelters stone cabins that were once used by shepherds in the winter months. Then taper during the month before the event down to a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) distance. Pgina oficial de la carrera en formato nonstop de larga distancia "Spain Long Distance". But there are plenty of parts of the trail that are suitable as day treks for those in the area looking to get a taste of the famed route. Set out from Pamplona to discover the longest pilgrimage route in Europe, experiencing the most picturesque and poignant sections of this World Heritage site on foot. Haute Randonne Pyrnenne (HRP), 800 km (500 mi) along the length of the Pyrenees in France, Spain and Andorra Nordkalottleden Trail ( Kalottireitti ), 800 km (500 mi) in the northernmost parts of Finland, Sweden, and Norway ( Lapland) If measured from the ocean floor its the fourth highest volcano in the world. For your trip, it is recommended to plan according to the route as it has 44 stages and more than 10 variants to travel. Spain boasts mountains, forests, arid interiors, and rugged coastlines. It takes about an hour and a half, and when you arrive you can easily walk right to the trailhead that takes you up to the monastery. The England Coast Path is the newest (and will be the longest) National Trail when . For this route, you start off by taking the Funicular at the monastery to Sant Joan, from which youll walk the rest of the way to the highest point on the mountain. As of today, there are 285 km marked, comprised of 16 stages: However, you can use the Walkaholic application to download a map with GPS positioning along the entire route, so you never get lost. However, the real treat lies just above the monastery: the remains of the Sant Salvador de Verdera fortress. It covers a distance of roughly 170 km (110 mi) with 10 km (6.2 mi) of elevation change. Spanish islands are also great. Bus number 348 runs from Puerto de la Cruz to the park, as does bus 342 from Playa de las Americas. Bus number 348 runs from Puerto de la Cruz to the park, as does bus 342 from Playa de las Americas. The route is broken up into different stages, many of which are too long to be hiked in a single day, but trekking part of them is a great way to get bite-sized pieces of this massive trail. But make sure to take plenty of water with you, as it can get very hot. From the green pastures, the path makes its way onto rocky outcrops. Camino de Santiago is arguably the most famous Spanish walking route, it is about 500 miles long (depending on which route you take). The extensive network of walking paths in France is overseen by the Fdration Franaise de la Randonne Pdestre (), an organisation which maintains, with the assistance of an army of dedicated volunteers, all walking paths throughout the country.Long-distance paths, or Grand Randonne, are referred to as GR paths and use a system of red and white blazes to mark the way. Distance: 124 miles | Difficulty: Medium. It is not possible to save for offline use. The Haute Route starts at Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe, and winds through the French and Swiss Alps to finish at the famous Matterhorn. One of the greatest long-distance trails of North America, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), runs from Mexico all the way to Canada. Looking into what hiking in Spain is all about? Countries: Spain; Level: Easy to Moderate; Duration: Heaps of different routes lasting from a few hours to 2-3 days. In winter, however, youll need to wrap up warm before heading out for the day. These roads are marked by a white stripe on a red one, which are painted along the route in visible places such as trees, stones or specially placed supports to mark the route. Get to know what the route entails and what to expect. PLUS, you save money and the environment! GR 11 - Trans-Pyrenees Route From Cape Higuer in Cantabria to the Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean coast, almost 800 kilometres of paths crossing from east to west through the Spanish Pyrenees. Do not worry about the signs: all the routes are signposted or at least a large part of them and you can always use our maps and GPS signaling to do it. Spain has numerous Eurocamps: large campsites with conveniently pre-erected tents, facilities like bars and restaurants, swimming pools, and playgrounds. Its not the most famous trail in Spain far from it but with those beautiful views, and the rustic setting, it makes for something completely different from the norm in Ibiza. While this may be a short hike, its impossibly beautiful as the entire time youll be able to catch sight of the Pyrenees mountains capped with snow as well as the Mediterranean Sea, expansive and deep turquoise. Let us know in the comments below and remember to stay safe out there. The walk through Murcia, was about 300 km long and took me through the spine of the province, from west to east, and includes the landscapes of the Spanish high plateau and the fertile plain of the river Segura. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. With so many hikes to choose from, its hard to know where to start. From mountain-climbing adventures and easy-going walks in nature to ancient pilgrimages and Insta-worthy suspended walkways through gorges: weve got them all. This historical route crosses Spain from east to west, passing through seven different regions. The Camino Primitivo is the most direct route from Oveido to Santiago (passing through Lugo), and it rejoins the Camino Francs about 40 miles from Santiago. Distance: Varies with trail | Difficulty: Easy Intermediate, Tour Recommendation: Guided tour of Mount Teide. Distance walking can be addictive! Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain From the monastery of Montserrat, with its many art treasures, walk steeply up to a vast view among rock pinnacles. Sub-sections of the trail run between 20km and 30km long. Your email address will not be published. A love letter to Scottish author, Robert Louis Stevenson, who trekked across the Cvennes in 1878 with his stubborn donkey Modestine, this hike is one of France's most classic - and captivating - long-distance rambles. Theres truly nothing like hiking in Spain. . Al hacer clic en el botn Aceptar, acepta el uso de estas tecnologas y el procesamiento de tus datos para estos propsitos. Venture into Burgos Cathedral and the monasteries of San Milln de la Cogolla, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Theres a bus that takes you back down to Plaa de Catalunya (or you can take the funicular). #SpainQuiz, Routes along the Catalan coast and Pyrenees. These roads are marked by a white stripe on a red one, which are painted along the route in visible places such as trees, stones or specially placed supports to mark the route. There are also walking trails if you prefer to make your way up by foot or dont have access to a car, but the trailheads are between three to five miles from town. Don't put your right foot on the step, but step down to the floor with it. The Camino del Cid goes through the places reflected in the singing of Rodrigo Daz de Vivar, the most famous medieval historical figure in Spain. Its free to hike, but you must apply for a permit beforehand if youre visiting during summer, and you need to have a guide with you as you approach the peak. The name, somehow, originates from a legend dating back to 1987. Adventure Holidays in Spain You Have to Experience, Top Things to Do in the Spanish Pyrenees That You Cant Miss. There are lots of small towns on the way that are well worth stopping in as you travel to the park, so you can make a real trip out of this journey! If you wish to take the train, Renfe regional trains service El Chorro village on a daily basis. A natural-born butterfly, She's spent most of her adult life hovering between Australia's obscenely high minimum wage and putting that EU-proof passport to good use travelling Western Europe. Despite its modest altitude, and relative shortness, it wont disappoint those looking for a challenge. A connection is required for updated content. However, for some of the best views of the country, hiking in Spain is the way to go. Happy hiking! Although badly marked in some sections, Navarra has made a great effort to recover and rescue it for hikers. Some passages could even use a rope, so if you have that sort of knowledge its a plus. Full route in Walkaholic: https://www.walkaholic.me/route/1181120-gr-107-cami-dels-bons-homes. When she isn't busy adventuring around the world, you can find her reviewing products and dishing out travel tips. Wed recommend booking way in advance, as there is only a limited number allowed per its daily time slots and it tends to sell-out. The hike is an easy incline along dirt paths that are fairly well marked. The traditional routes all start at different places along the Spain-France border (the most popular one begins at Saint Jean Pied de Port) but all finish in Galicia at the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela. 114 km / 71 miles. Galicia on the road, spectacular landscapes, in images, How much do you know about the routes of Spain? While the trail has gotten some much-needed safety updates in recent years, it still remains an insane trek with spectacular views. Drink water from ANYWHERE. While the entire stage takes about six hours to hike, you can always stop when you feel like youve had enough. Please note: In line with the LDWA's Terms and Conditions, all content on this website, including Long Distance Paths, is for personal use only. From Navarre, youre going to want to drive through Isaba to get to Zuriza, where the trailhead is located. Youll have to reserve a spot in the national park itself, and you need to book yourself into the cabins in advance (they can be fully booked in summer). To get to the trailhead of the easiest trail, you have to take a special bus as weve mentioned above. So, I mentioned that The Mulhacen is the tallest mountain on mainland Spain but what if you move to the islands? Wear appropriate clothing Get yourself a good pair of walking shoes. . If youre traveling by air, flying into the Basque Airport is the closest to get to the start of the trail in St. Pied de Port, which is roughly 50 kilometers away. Summers in Spain are pretty hot; wed advise getting up early to beat the heat, especially with an almost constant absence of shade the whole way. A shorter option is to walk from Tui in Galicia, which is just over the 100 kilometers from Santiago to allow pilgrims to be awarded with a compostela, the certificate offered for those completing a pilgrimage to Santiago. In order to get the pilgrims certificate, you need to prove youve walked the last 100km by getting stamps in your pilgrims passport which you procure before hand. Once known as one of the most dangerous hiking trails in the world, the Caminito del Rey was a hike for serious thrill-seekers ready for an adventure. If you wanted to walk the entire trail or even take a multi-day trek along it, its best to plan your route accordingly. Hiking without the right amount of fluid is pretty dangerous, so its always best to pack a bottle in your pack. 1. The average walking speed of an adult is 5 km/3 mi per hour. Find information on our airports and cruise ports and discover what the flight times are from different points across the world. We provide you with useful information on the connections between Spains major cities. Walking, hiking and trekking in Italy. There are 16 National Trails. Expect real countryside feels here. Theres a restaurant at the start of the hike. During the journey, youll travel along roads that have paved the way for thousands of years of history, as you soak up the wonderful and ever-changing scenery letting yourself be enchanted by the unique cuisine on offer from north to south. Mount Tibidabo is situated in the Collserola National Park, just north of Barcelona. We're fit and often walk long distances eg. The trail begins way down in southern France but then travels up through the Pyrenees to a final destination in Catalonia. Encounter Roman sites, mountain villages, and the architecture of Antoni Gaud. Here are some distances and calculations that might help imagine a possible or probable timeframe: Jonah was from the small, Galilean city of Gath-Hepher, about 2 miles (5 km) north of Nazareth. Go prepared Its never a good idea to just attempt a hike without any forward planning; make sure to check the state of the trail before you attempt to hike. From the top of this tree-covered mountain at 1,500 feet, the views are pretty incredible even on a cloudy day. The pathway is perhaps the most famous long-distance track in the country and runs concurrently with the Great Glen Canoe Trail - a long-distance path for canoers and rafters. Jane always knew she wasn't destined for a desk job She currently lives in a campervan in New Zealand and is passionate about noodles, sloths and her hiking boots! Scotland's best-loved long distance trail is a must for any hiker. Best time to go: between April and early . The route begins at the southernmost tip of Spain on the co. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Check the average temperatures and the hours of sunshine in different areas and the clothing you should wear according to the season. Outside peak season, you can drive straight to the carpark by Lake Ercina itself. Like in France, these are called GR (Sendero de Gran Recorrido) and marked in red and white. Packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for thereal adventurers these babies are a travellers best kept secret. Italy has some of the world's best walks, hikes and treks, ranging from: - famous long distance Alpine, Dolomitic and other hiking and trekking trails such as the various Alta Vias and the Monte Rosa circuit; to day walks in the great mountain areas - Gran Paradiso and the Dolomites are the obvious ones; to exhilaratingly terrifying via ferratas; Paths for getting to know a country Do you want to go on a route and need some inspiration? Getting There: To get to the trailhead of the easiest trail, you have to take a special bus as weve mentioned above. Read more: Can Walking Be Enough to Reduce Obesity? This website uses cookies to improve your experience. A number of sections are currently undergoing improvements, but you can still make your way along the majority of this long-distance route, which starts out from the ancient Greek ruins at Empries in Girona and ends at Cape Finisterre, in Galicia. Want a chance to explore the Aigestortes i Llac de Sant Maurici National Park? The path is relatively new - it was constructed in 2011 and is continuing to be expanded. Be prepared for what life throws at you. The trail consists of a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that have been in use for a thousand years or more. Check out our guide to Caminito del Rey! This awesome hike in Spain is part of a popular pilgrimage route: the Camino de Santiago Francs (aka the French Way or the Way of Saint James). Create your own plan for your trip to Spain with a route to suit your requirements. This five-mile trail travels from Ardales to Alora. Stop for a wine tasting at a local bodega. To start, Spain has a collection of cool cities to base yourself. However, this hiking-haven is also rich with luscious green valleys with not-so-steep pathways running through them. Arrive at Pamplona Airport (PNA) and transfer to our historic hotel, once a haunt of Ernest Hemingway. More information. The best way to get to Montserrat is to start in Barcelona. Andalusia is best discovered on foot. It starts in a few different places . And today its as popular as ever. It is marked in 63 stages, which given the dimensions we recommend that you plan on each route. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Arrondas and Unquera from large cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Travel back in time with historic routes taken by pilgrims, traverse mountains with views all the way into France, and enjoy some adrenaline-filled adventures on walkways between mountains. Even the pilgrims wear these shells tied around their necks. Sign for the Ridgeway Stand at the bottom of a staircase. Staying in more out of the way towns and villages is also a possibility. Difficulty. When it comes to planning your outdoor adventures, here are 10 of the best hikes to take on your trip to Spain! There's the famed West Highland Way - a 96-mile long-distance trek that takes walkers through varied landscapes from Milngavie to Fort William - but for a shorter, concentrated hit of Scotland's most dramatic scenery hikers should make a beeline for Glen Coe. So which hike in Spain are you off to first? Best hike for rural romance. Getting There: The best way to get to Montserrat is to start in Barcelona. For views to last a lifetime, head to the Sierra Nevadas to hike up the highest mountain on mainland Spain. But their popularity seems to be! In Catalonia it begins in Ulldecona and crosses 50 km to the town of Beceite in Teruel, crossing the area of Matarraa (called by many the Spanish Tuscany) to end in Camarena de la Sierra, after a total of 353 km. 1. Basically the list is almost endless; it all depends where in the country you want to be. 9 Long-Distance Hikes in England Click on the long-distance hike you'd like to do or simply scroll down and see which one you fancy doing next (or first!) Otherwise, there are two bus routes. Many of the walks organized by the group meander through scenic locales, but there are also plenty. While you can spend several days hiking through the Picos de Europa, if youre looking for a taste of Spanish wilderness, hop on the Ruta del Cares trail for a 12-kilometer route through some of the most beautiful parts of the National Park. From Cape Higuer in Cantabria to the Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean coast, almost 800 kilometres of paths crossing from east to west through the Spanish Pyrenees. You can reserve spaces here. You can take the R5 train from Placa Espanya in Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat. Theres a reason that locals sleep in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest. A famous holiday destination, Spain has long lured travellers with its open, friendly culture and captivating landscapes. Mount Teide can be hiked on a visit to the park, and those who brave the altitude will be rewarded with insane views of an 80-meter crater thats only visible from the top. Even the Balearic Islands, such as Ibiza, can be great bases for keen hikers its not all about partying! Return to Santiago for a guided historical tour of the cathedral and the citys old quarter, a World Heritage site. Stunning, like we said. For a short, sweet, and only slightly difficult hike to round out your Spain trip, make your way to Sant Pere de Rodes, a Benedictine monastery sitting 500 meters above sea level overlooking the Cap de Creus peninsula. Youll literally be above the clouds. Being the Jacobean route of more cultural, scenic and artistic richness, it is very well documented and has the complete infrastructure for a good spiritual search. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. What is the Best Month to Walk the Camino? Here are 7 fantastic long distance walks that you can do around the world. Getting There: Getting to GR92 depends on where you want to start. Choose from our list of the best hikes in Spain below. (11 miles hiking, 5 hours), Hike into the northwestern region of Galicia, known for its Celtic history and rolling hills. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! We cant stress enough how much you need proper, good quality hiking shoes for this. Another major plus point of this hike is that theres an actual amusement park at the top of Mount Tibidabo. Norway, for good reason, brings to mind mountainous glaciers, expansive fjords, and towering trails across icy spines. Hadrians Wall Coast to Coast Trail South Downs Way Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Pennine Way (full + 6-day option) Jurassic Coast Path (part of the South West Coast Path) Sandstone Trail After breakfast, transfer to the SantiagoRosala de Castro Airport (SCQ) and catch your flight home. Some hikes do require permits or pre-booking in advance (this can be difficult in peak season), and youll need to plan for hot temperatures in the summer months. Its certainly challenging and shouldnt be taken on by inexperienced hikers. A self-admitted travel-yoga-junkie,Mathilde Aude Magnier is French-born but raised in Brussel. Distance: 137 miles | Difficulty: Easy Hard. It actually had to be closed at one point because it had fallen into disrepair. It is 769 km (478 miles) long and begins on the north of the Pyrenees in St Jean-Pied-du-Port. It is situated right in the middle of a pine forest and is around a fifteen-minute walk from the beach. And if you want to camp, you can do that too. Some stages are just quick day hikes while others are trips that take several days. One look at these tremendous mountains and you feel as if theyre calling to you. Walking the GR7 in Andalucia is a Cicerone walking guidebook by Kirstie Shirra and Michelle Lowe. The scallop shell is the symbol of the pilgrimage route (and has been since the medieval era), so if youre ever lost, look for scallop shells. 3. Depending on the height of the steps, put your left foot on the second step, step up until your leg is completely straight, squeezing your glutes as you reach the top.