Looking into what climbing in Spain is all about? Look no additional as on this article, I’ll share with you data on the most effective hikes within the area and the way to go about planning them.
Let’s face it, while you consider Spain, climbing might be the very last thing that involves thoughts. When touring in a rustic full of delectable meals, wine that’s to die for, and vibrant cultural facilities full of world-famous artworks, making your means into the backcountry of Spain most likely has by no means even occurred to you.
However, for a few of the finest views of the nation, climbing in Spain is the best way to go. Travel again in time with historic routes taken by pilgrims, traverse mountains with views all the best way into France, and luxuriate in some adrenaline-filled adventures on walkways between mountains.
There’s actually nothing like climbing in Spain.
When it involves planning your outside adventures, listed here are 10 of the most effective hikes to take in your journey to Spain!
While we’re within the matter of planning your journey, I needed to suggest trying out WayAway subscription which supplies you entry to a journey concierge plus cashbacks on accommodations, flights, and actions!
1. The Camino de Santiago
Distance: 500 miles | Difficulty: Intermediate
As essentially the most well-known path in Spain and probably essentially the most well-known strolling route within the world, the Camino de Santiago takes first place for finest hikes in Spain. Whilst the stroll itself is comparatively simple as you possibly can go in your individual tempo, the precise distance
This trek is a community of historical pilgrim routes that span over 500 miles all through Spain. The trails have been walked on now for greater than 1,000 years, slowly switching from Christian pilgrims to keen vacationers wishing to finish this epic journey.
The conventional routes all begin at totally different locations alongside the Spain-France border (the most well-liked one begins at Saint Jean Pied de Port) however all end in Galicia on the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela.
That being stated, there are a ton of routes that begin at totally different locations all through Spain, as an alternative of solely on the border. You can decide up the path at any level alongside the seven well-established routes.
Alternatively, you possibly can even hyperlink up with one of many six lesser-known routes which cross by way of locations like Pamplona, Galicia, Asturias, and La Rioja.
Even should you aren’t able to stroll the total 500 miles to finish the complete pilgrimage, many individuals stroll the Camino in bite-sized items and even simply go for a single-day stroll!
We lately walked the Camino de Portuguese (from Porto to Santiago de Compostela) and completely cherished it.
In order to get the pilgrims certificates, it’s worthwhile to show you’ve walked the final 100km by getting stamps in your pilgrims passport which you procure earlier than hand.
The trails are flat and well-maintained, making for a straightforward stroll, and cross by way of some attractive surroundings. However, this stroll is rather more in regards to the historical past of the path than the precise nature it passes by way of.
Walking on Camino trails is a brilliant social expertise. You’ll cross by way of native villages, meet different hikers making their solution to Galicia, and find out about those that walked the path tons of of years earlier than you.
It’s a good way to immerse your self in Spanish historical past whereas filling your lungs with recent air!
Getting There: The Camino stretches a full 500 miles, so except you need to begin on the very starting, you possibly can hyperlink up with the path all through totally different components of Spain.
If you’re touring by air, flying into the Basque Airport is the closest to get to the beginning of the path in St. Pied de Port, which is roughly 50 kilometers away. Otherwise, you may make your solution to St. Pied de Port from Madrid by way of Renfe practice or Alsa bus to Pamplona. From Pamplona, you possibly can take a second bus to the beginning.
Note: If you needed to stroll the complete path and even take a multi-day trek alongside it, it’s finest to plan your route accordingly. There are quite a lot of data on-line with regards to strolling the Camino de Santiago. This guidebook may be an unimaginable useful resource that can assist you plan!
✨The 1 Thing We Never Leave Home Without…✨
Coming from somebody who has been touring the world for the final 8 years AND has been within the hospital 2x, journey insurance coverage is one thing everybody NEEDS to get. Get a quote beneath!
2. Caminito del Rey
Distance: 5 miles | Difficulty: Medium
Tour Recommendation: Guided day tour from Malaga
Once often called some of the harmful climbing trails on the planet, the Caminito del Rey was a hike for severe thrill-seekers prepared for an journey. While the path has gotten some much-needed security updates lately, it nonetheless stays an insane trek with spectacular views.
This five-mile path travels from Ardales to Alora. It takes about 4 hours to finish, as you stroll alongside paths carved into the perimeters of steep, steep cliffs. You’ll be confronted with beautiful views of rocky mountains, speeding streams, and plush greenery as you traverse precarious pathways and cross-hanging bridges.
Just take into account that the trail is open on daily basis from Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed each Monday, January 1st, December twenty fourth, twenty fifth and thirty first!
Getting There: Getting to the Caminito del Rey is pretty simple, should you’re coming from Malaga. If you want to take the practice, Renfe regional trains service El Chorro village every day. From the village, you possibly can take a shuttle bus which is able to drop you off on the northern entrance of the path.
Want to know extra about what this hike is like?
Check out our information to Caminito del Rey!
3. Picos de Europa
Distance: 7.5 miles | Difficulty: Intermediate – Hard
While you possibly can spend a number of days climbing by way of the Picos de Europa, should you’re on the lookout for a style of Spanish wilderness, hop on the Ruta del Cares path for a 12-kilometer route by way of a few of the most lovely components of the National Park.
The path runs from the village of Poncebos in Asturias to Caín in Leon, and is actually carved out of the perimeters of the encircling rock formations. It passes throughout bridges and crosses streams, all of the whereas supplying you with stellar views of Spanish peaks.
It’s no marvel that this path is also referred to as “The Divine Gorge” as a result of it actually supplies a few of the most divine views in all of Spain!
Getting There: The finest solution to get to Picos de Europa is by driving, as the encircling surroundings is totally astounding. There are a lot of small cities on the best way which are properly price stopping in as you journey to the park, so you may make an actual journey out of this journey!
Alternatively, you possibly can take a bus to Arrondas and Unquera from massive cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Taking a bus is an efficient choice, particularly in summer time because the roads are closed to vehicles and by bus is the one solution to get by way of the park.
You can even take a practice into Oviedo or Santander from anyplace in Spain, however you’re nonetheless left with a good distance to journey to get to the park. Once arriving on the station, you possibly can simply hop in a cab and make it to the park, after which the trailhead.
4. Montserrat
Distance: Varies with route | Difficulty: Easy – Medium
Tour Recommendation: Montserrat Monestary Visit + Farmhouse Lunch
Easily accessible from Barcelona and some of the fashionable locations within the area, a visit to Montserrat is a should should you’re within the space. This is likely one of the finest locations to hike throughout a jagged mountain vary, with unbelievable views of countryside, the winding trails beneath, and good outdated Spanish nature.
Monserrat is likely one of the finest issues to do in Barcelona and is an exercise we extremely suggest.
Besides being a fully beautiful place to expertise Spain’s wild aspect, Montserrat can also be a particular place within the Catholic faith. The mountain homes a Black Madonna statue, in addition to a Benedictine monastery. It’s additionally a spot the place many individuals made a pilgrimage in the direction of a greater life.
One of the paths you possibly can take is the one from the bottom of the mountain as much as the monastery. As you stroll alongside the rocky trails as much as the monastery, you’ll be capable of expertise extra than simply nature in all of its glory. You’ll be capable of think about all of those that walked right here earlier than you!
Alternatively, you possibly can take the cable automotive or rack railway up the mountain and discover the paths greater up.
If it’s breathtaking views that you just’re after, the most effective path to take is Sant Jeroni which is able to take you to the highest of the mountain. For this route, you begin off by taking the Funicular on the monastery to Sant Joan, from which you’ll stroll the remainder of the best way to the very best level on the mountain.
If top isn’t what you’re after in your Montserrat hike, there are many trails from the monastery that may take you to attention-grabbing websites alongside the best way with out bringing you to the highest of the mountain.
One of the most well-liked routes is a stroll from the monastery to Santa Cova, an necessary pilgrim website the place the Virgin Mary was believed to have been seen. Alternatively, you possibly can stroll from the monastery to The Degotalls, which offers you a beautiful view of the Pyrenees and the flat lands making up the Llobregat valley.
No matter which route you select in Montserrat, you’re sure to be amazed!
Getting There: The finest solution to get to Montserrat is to begin in Barcelona. It’s a 54-kilometer journey, and most of the people take the practice. You can take the R5 practice from Placa Espanya in Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat. It takes about an hour and a half, and while you arrive you possibly can simply stroll proper to the trailhead that takes you as much as the monastery.
Another choice is to cease at Aeri de Montserrat and take the cable automotive as much as the monastery. From there, you possibly can transfer on to the opposite climbing trails that lead as much as the highest of the mountain and different websites across the monastery.
5. Pico Sobarcal Trail
Distance: 8.5 miles | Difficulty: Moderate – Extremely Hard
Creating a pure border between France and Spain, there’s no extra beautiful sight than the Pyrenees Mountains in all of their glory. One take a look at these great mountains and you are feeling as in the event that they’re calling to you. So what higher solution to take pleasure in them than to hike!
The Pico Sobarcal path is an extended and reasonably difficult hike to a summit of two,259 meters. From the highest, you’ll have completely insane views of the mountains throughout you, in addition to the world slightly below. If you look far sufficient, you’ll even be capable of peek into France!
It takes seven hours to achieve the summit on this path, and it’s not too too tough many of the means up. However, as you strategy the summit, it will get rather more difficult, so make certain that you’re adequately ready!
The peak ought to solely be reached by those that have superior mountaineering expertise because it’s fairly treacherous, however if you’re one in every of these individuals, it merely can’t be missed.
Getting There: To get to this hike, mainly you’re going to need to goal in the direction of France. The best solution to get there may be by driving as there aren’t many buses or trains that service the mountainous space or get you shut sufficient to the trailhead.
From Navarre, you’re going to need to drive by way of Isaba to get to Zuriza, the place the trailhead is positioned. There’s a car parking zone on the finish of the highway, which can also be the place the hike begins so you possibly can comfortably go away your automotive and hop proper on the path.
6. Cami dels Bons Homes
Distance: 124 miles | Difficulty: Medium
The Cami dels Bons Homes, which interprets to “the Path of the Good Men”, follows the trail the Cathars used as they fled from the Spanish Inquisition within the thirteenth century. The path begins means down in southern France however then travels up by way of the Pyrenees to a closing vacation spot in Catalonia.
This is not any quick hike, and simply strolling from the Spanish aspect takes a whopping 5 days to finish in full. It’s actually difficult and shouldn’t be taken on by inexperienced hikers. But there are many components of the path which are appropriate as day treks for these within the space trying to get a style of the famed route.
The route is damaged up into totally different phases, a lot of that are too lengthy to be hiked in a single day, however trekking a part of them is a good way to get bite-sized items of this large path.
One nice route to soak up Spain is Stage two from Gosol to Baga, which takes you thru small cities and villages with insane views of the Pyrenees. While the complete stage takes about six hours to hike, you possibly can at all times cease while you really feel such as you’ve had sufficient.
The views on this hike are nothing in need of majestic. You’ll stroll by way of utterly empty meadows the place you’re surrounded by nothing however grass and greenery. Then you’ll plunge into deep, darkish forest and cross expansive valleys.
You’ll even cross by way of the occasional historical smash alongside the best way, so it is going to be simple to think about your self as a Cathar, taking this journey so many centuries in the past.
Getting There: Getting to the route depends upon the place you’re ranging from. If you might be departing from the start of the path on the Spanish aspect, you’ll should get your self to Berga. Berga sits simply north of Barcelona, and you’ll attain it by Alsa bus. It takes 2 hours and when you arrive, you’ll be able to hit the path!
7. The Mulhacen
Distance: Varies with route | Difficulty: Easy – Extremely Hard
For views to final a lifetime, head to the Sierra Nevadas to hike up the very best mountain on mainland Spain. The Mulhacen is correct close to Granada and is sort of 3,500 meters excessive! It’s a terrific summer time hike for these wishing to stretch their legs and it may be performed in a single day, which is right for keen vacationers.
There are a number of trails that attain the summit of this mountain, all ranging in issue and size.
The best, and hottest, path traverses up the southern face of the mountain from Mirador de Trevelez within the Alpujarras, and solely takes two hours to achieve the highest. The hike is so quick as a result of for the primary half, you’ll journey by bus till you attain 2,700 meters, from which you’ll full the hike to the summit. Just observe that this service is simply accessible throughout the summer time!
There are two different trails that journey up the southern aspect of the mountain which are additionally reasonable in issue, so there’s one thing for each type of hiker right here.
Alternatively, should you’re an skilled mountaineer and want to flex your expertise, go for the northern face which is essentially the most difficult solution to attain the summit.
Getting There: To get to the trailhead of the simplest path, it’s a must to take a particular bus as we’ve talked about above. This bus runs from Capileira to Paraje del Cascajar, from which you’ll proceed your hike.
To get to Capileira, it’s a straightforward drive from Granada, or you possibly can take a bus run by Alsa companies. Busses go away 4 instances a day from Granada and takes two and a half hours.
8. Las Canadas del Teide National Park
Distance: Varies with path | Difficulty: Easy – Intermediate
Tour Recommendation: Guided tour of Mount Teide
So, I discussed that The Mulhacen is the tallest mountain on mainland Spain however what should you transfer to the islands?
Resting peacefully on the island of Tenerife, you’ll discover Spain’s tallest mountain, Mount Teide, coming in at a swish 3,718 meters. The ginormous mountain is positioned in Las Canadas del Teide National Park, that means that there’s nothing round however pure nature.
The park itself is an impressive place for viewing volcanic landscapes and stretching your legs on the quite a few climbing trails all through the protected space. You’ll discover all trails appropriate for all ranges of hikers right here, so it’s a terrific place to discover should you’re visiting the island, regardless of your ability stage!
Mount Teide may be hiked on a go to to the park, and people who courageous the altitude can be rewarded with insane views of an 80-meter crater that’s solely seen from the highest. It’s free to hike, however it’s essential to apply for a allow beforehand should you’re visiting throughout summer time, and it’s worthwhile to have a information with you as you strategy the height.
Getting There: The park is straightforward to get to by automotive because it’s off the primary freeway, TF-21. Otherwise, there are two bus routes. Bus quantity 348 runs from Puerto de la Cruz to the park, as does bus 342 from Playa de las Americas.
An simple choice is to decide on a guided tour of Mount Teide which features a cable automotive ascent and a one-hour hike to the summit. With permits and round-trip transportation taken care of, it is a handy solution to expertise the great thing about Mount Teide!
9. Camino de Ronda (GR92)
Distance: 137 miles | Difficulty: Easy – Hard
For sheer coastal views full of sprawling ocean on one aspect and dense greenery on the opposite, head to Costa Brava to stroll the Camino de Ronda, also referred to as GR92.
This trek begins proper on the Spanish aspect of the Spain-France border in Portbou and travels all the best way to the south to Uldecona. Yes, that is one other lengthy stroll, however like with the opposite expansive trails present in Spain, it may be performed in bite-sized items slightly than unexpectedly.
GR92 is cut up up into 20 totally different phases to offer vacationers the selection of the place, when, and the way lengthy they’d prefer to stroll for. Some phases are simply fast day hikes whereas others are journeys that take a number of days.
Walking the complete path takes ten days, however is completely price it to see the entire fishing villages, hidden seashores, and beautiful coves alongside the best way.
Where you stroll tremendously determines the surroundings but it surely’s stated that essentially the most lovely components of the route are close to the National Park of Aiguamolls de l’Emporda and within the south between Bergur and Palafrugell.
Just keep in mind to pack your bathing swimsuit and a towel as a result of there are many seashores alongside the best way for some rest while you get bored with strolling!
Getting There: Getting to GR92 depends upon the place you need to begin. If you need to start in Aiguamolls de l’Emporda, there’s a public transit station positioned proper on the entrance of the park. Bus strains 101 and 400 service the park, and it’s simply accessible from Girona.
10. Cami de Rodes
Distance: 2.25 miles | Difficulty: Easy – Medium
For a brief, candy, and solely barely tough hike to spherical out your Spain journey, make your solution to Sant Pere de Rodes, a Benedictine monastery sitting 500 meters above sea stage overlooking the Cap de Creus peninsula.
There are tons of strolling trails that take keen guests as much as the monastery, and it’s pretty simple to get thus far. However, the actual deal with lies simply above the monastery: the stays of the Sant Salvador de Verdera fortress.
After reaching Sant Pere de Rodes, comply with the uphill path to the fortress. It takes about half-hour of strolling uphill on rugged rocks to achieve the prime spot. however when you make it to the fortress, you’ll be handled to panoramic views of the pure park that lies beneath.
While this can be a brief hike, it’s impossibly lovely as the complete time you’ll be capable of catch sight of the Pyrenees mountains capped with snow in addition to the Mediterranean Sea, expansive and deep turquoise. What extra might you ask for on a hike by way of Spain?
Getting There: Accessing the monastery couldn’t be simpler, simply so long as you might have your individual transport. It’s a fast drive from the middle of Vilajuiga and Port de la Selva (the closest cities), and there’s loads of parking accessible. There are additionally strolling trails should you favor to make your means up by foot or don’t have entry to a automotive, however the trailheads are between three to 5 miles from city.
Once you attain the monastery, there’s a well-marked path that may lead you to the towering fortress above.
Hiking in Spain Gear Recommendations
Keep in thoughts that preparation for climbing in Spain is totally important.
The terrain could also be rocky or technical, requiring correct footwear, and water sources alongside the paths are typically scarce so a water bottle or two is important. If you’re planning on embarking on one of many longer treks, be sure you have appropriate gear for tenting and retaining your self heat on the cooler Spanish nights.
Getting Around Spain
Hopefully, you’ve discovered one or two hikes that you’ve got now added to your listing. With that in thoughts, all that’s left is the way to get round! Spain may be very properly related by way of excessive pace trains however our prime suggestion is at all times to lease a automotive.
With so many hikes to select from, it’s arduous to know the place to begin. But the excellent news is all climbing in Spain is thrilling and oftentimes combines tradition, historical past, and outside adventures into one action-packed journey.
So which hike in Spain are you off to first? Let us know within the feedback beneath and keep in mind to remain protected on the market. Happy climbing!
Looking for extra adventures in Spain? Check out these articles
Inspired? Pin It!
