The Burgos-Hontanas section of this giant route is around a 20-mile journey. Whichever hike in Spain you choose, you can expect well-marked routes that are relatively straightforward to follow. Pgina oficial de la carrera en formato nonstop de larga distancia "Spain Long Distance". Starting the climb earlier in the morning will give you enough time to reach the peak and come back down by sunset. Getting There: To get to this hike, basically youre going to want to aim towards France. If you look far enough, youll even be able to peek into France! Home Blog Hiking in Spain: 8 Bucketlist Trails to Check Out in 2023. Venture into Burgos Cathedral and the monasteries of San Milln de la Cogolla, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Spain remains one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth. Youll walk through completely empty meadows where youre surrounded by nothing but grass and greenery. To get to this hike, basically youre going to want to aim towards France. GR-1 , it begins at the ruins of Empries in Girona and ends at the Atlantic, in Finisterre (La Corua), going parallel to the GR-11 for 600 km and then merging with the Camino to Santiago, to travel the Iberian Peninsula along the north and going through the main cities during the Middle Ages in the crowns of Aragn, Castilla-Len and Navarra. Getting There: The best way to get to Picos de Europa is by driving, as the surrounding scenery is absolutely astounding. 1. If you really want, you could even get a guided tour! Its a quick drive from the center of Vilajuiga and Port de la Selva (the nearest towns), and theres plenty of parking available. Keep an eye on the weather It might be known for being a sunny country, but the sun doesnt always shine. Bus lines 101 and 400 service the park, and its easily accessible from Girona. Read more: Can Walking Be Enough to Reduce Obesity? A long-distance trail means a route of more than 50 km in length, designed to be traveled in 2 or more stages. Te enviaremos un correo cada semana con el nuevo artculo junto a las novedades de nuestra app mvil de senderismo. Not surprisingly the "Topoguias" look the same as those of their northern neighbours. The easiest, and most popular, trail traverses up the southern face of the mountain from Mirador de Trevelez in the Alpujarras, and only takes two hours to reach the top. For both the most daring and amateurs there are a large number of long-distance footpaths (known as routes of Gran Recorrido, GR footpaths) that are recognized by the Spanish Federation of Mountain and Climbing Sports (FEDME), many of them belonging to the network of European Long-Distance Trails . Resting peacefully on the island of Tenerife, youll find Spains tallest mountain, Mount Teide, coming in at a graceful 3,718 meters. 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. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! With this path, which is over 1,400 kilometres long, youll be following in the footsteps of none other than Rodrigo Daz de Vivar, El Cid, guided by the places described in his famous medieval epic: The Poem of the Cid. For those who love immersing deep in the backcountry, doing long walking trails can be a great way 10 of the Most Famous Walking Trails in the World - Wild Junket Adventure Travel Blog From the zen-inducing Shikoku Pilgrimage in Japan to the holy Camino de Santiago in Spain, here's a roundup of 10 famous walking trails in the world. Your email address will not be published. Keep in mind that preparation for hiking in Spain is absolutely essential. Find information on our airports and cruise ports and discover what the flight times are from different points across the world. She is an avid traveler, gear enthusiast, and adventure seeker. Then taper during the month before the event down to a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) distance. 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. Countries: Spain; Level: Easy to Moderate; Duration: Heaps of different routes lasting from a few hours to 2-3 days. The Camino de Santiago (France, Spain, and Portugal) TripSavvy / Chris VR One of the most famous hikes in all of Europe, the Camino de Santiago takes backpackers across France, Spain, and Portugal along a 500-mile path that has been walked by religious pilgrims for centuries. Yep, its a hikers paradise. Required fields are marked *. Although many tourists do come for the beaches and resorts, just as many come for its nature and some for the fine hiking opportunities. That being said, there are a ton of routes that start at different places throughout Spain, instead of only at the border. Sit for a while and soak up those awesome views of the Picos de Europa. Drive on to Len for lunch and spend the afternoon discovering the citys historic sites, including a guided visit through its remarkable cathedral, filled with more than a hundred stained glass windows. The Euskal Herria Trail, it starts from Navarra, then crosses Guipuzkoa, passes through lava and ends at the Port of Kruzeta in Belagua. 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. The GR11 long distance walking path traverses the Pyrenees from Irun on the Atlantic coast to Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean coast, and is 820km long. This hotel is for you! Don't put your right foot on the step, but step down to the floor with it. It is marked in 63 stages, which given the dimensions we recommend that you plan on each route. Alternatively, you can even link up with one of the six lesser-known routes which pass through places like Pamplona, Galicia, Asturias, and La Rioja. Berga sits just north of Barcelona, and you can reach it by Alsa bus. If its breathtaking views that youre after, the best trail to take is Sant Jeroni which will take you to the top of the mountain. Visit the sixth-century Samos Monastery en route to this evenings lodging: a Benedictine monastery in Monforte de Lemos. Theyre available to order online here. After an orientation, set out on a walk through the old city and the streets made famous by the running of the bulls. Encounter Roman sites, mountain villages, and the architecture of Antoni Gaud. Walkers can enjoy them all, cyclists and horse riders can enjoy the Pennine Bridleway and the South Downs Way, as well as sections of the other Trails. Dont forget to hydrate You might think youre just going for a quick hike up a mountain and back again, but going without enoughwater could lead you to become seriously unwell. The route takes you through small medieval villages, allowing you to stop off to sample local life and peer into old churches along the way. Our epic guide covers just about everything you need to know, packed full of all the deets youll need to have the best time ever while hiking in Spain. It's a waymarked trail with yellow signs and with KE you can walk this route, self-guided over 7 days at your own pace. The trails have been walked on now for more than 1,000 years, slowly switching from Christian pilgrims to eager travelers wishing to complete this epic journey. 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. With a pool, rooftop terrace, and onsite bar, youre sure to make plenty of friends at this hostel. Another major plus point of this hike is that theres an actual amusement park at the top of Mount Tibidabo. Tell somebody where you are going Attempting a hike alone brings its own risks. One look at these tremendous mountains and you feel as if theyre calling to you. Its a 54-kilometer journey, and most people take the train. 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. Step ups. 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). Looking into what hiking in Spain is all about? Its the highest peak in the park (512m) and provides suitably awesome views of the Catalan capital and its coastline. Once arriving at the station, you can easily hop in a cab and make it to the park, and then the trailhead. Youll be faced with stunning views of rocky mountains, rushing streams, and lush greenery as you traverse precarious pathways and cross-hanging bridges. Walkers do not require any permits at any point on the trail. Youll find all trails suitable for all levels of hikers here, so its a great place to explore if youre visiting the island, no matter your skill level! Spain is very well connected via high speed trains but our top recommendation is always to rent a car. So, I mentioned that The Mulhacen is the tallest mountain on mainland Spain but what if you move to the islands? 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. The path around the lake then climbs up for bonus views of both lakes, Enol and Ercina. What to Know Before Hiking in Spain 1.French Way: Burgos to Hontanas 2.Covadonga Lakes Trail 3.The Carros de Foc 4.The King's Little Path 5.Mount Tibidabo Walking Route 6.Las Peas de Aya 7.Teide Peak 8.Roca Grossa y Talara de Sant Josep The main thing to think about when hiking in Spain is where you're going to base yourself. Distance: 379 km / 235.5 miles. Your email address will not be published. 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. Some of Spains hikes can reach high altitudes and are not always easy for inexperienced hikers. This is one of the best places to hike across a jagged mountain range, with unbelievable views of countryside, the winding trails below, and good old Spanish nature. 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 take the R5 train from Placa Espanya in Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat. For all its difficulty, the hike is actually well marked with white, red, and yellow markers. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Arrondas and Unquera from large cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Add to that time 1 - 2 hours of rest, lunch, etc. Basically the list is almost endless; it all depends where in the country you want to be. If you are departing from the beginning of the trail on the Spanish side, youll have to get yourself to Berga. Let us know in the comments below and remember to stay safe out there. The most significant part of this journey through the Basque Country is from Loiola to Zumarraga, a four-hour hike from St. Ignacio's house . PLUS, you save money and the environment! 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. The Mulhacen is right near Granada and is nearly 3,500 meters high! Distance: 7.5 miles | Difficulty: Intermediate Hard. The trail consists of a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that have been in use for a thousand years or more. 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. Some stages are just quick day hikes while others are trips that take several days. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Retired physical therapist, Robbie Johannesen, who ran the first Oregon marathon (in 1972), raced the 42-mile Round Mount Hood five times and topped Hood more than ten times, now in his 70s, advises seniors to slowly build a base for long-distance walking, whether on the Camino de Santiago or other multiday treks. Spain: Walking the Camino de Santiago 10 days from $7,195 View All Dates & Prices Signature Land Moderate-Strenuous Premium Max 20 Reserve Online Or call 1-888-966-8687 Ask a Question. Descend to Astorga, and explore the towns fascinating architecture, from Romanesque and Gothic churches to a palace designed by Antoni Gaud. This camino is 620 kilometers for those beginning in Lisbon, and a growth in the restaurants, cafes, and albergues along . This is the hardest single day of the camino, so perhaps it's good to get out of the way on day one! Hike the famed El Camino de SantiagoEuropes longest and most storied pilgrimage routeand stay in historic monasteries and centuries-old paradors along the way. . And in the distance, youll spot the Bay of Biscay. If youre one of those people who loves to discover new landscapes on foot, you absolutely wont want to miss out on some of these routes. Its also a place where many people made a pilgrimage towards a better life. We provide you with useful information on the connections between Spains major cities. Day 5: Sahagn/Bercianos del Camino/Len, Day 6: Hospital de rbigo to Astorga/Villafranca del Bierzo, Day 7: Las Herrerias/O Cebreiro/Monforte de Lemos, Day 9: Cabo Fisterra/Santiago de Compostela, Parador Nacional de Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Parador de Santiago - Hostal dos Reis Catlicos, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/destinations/europe/land/spain-walking-el-camino.html. 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. Its a great way to immerse yourself in Spanish history while filling your lungs with fresh air! In good weather, these are next-level. From the village, you can take a shuttle bus which will drop you off at the northern entrance of the trail. Why Chariots of Fire though is a mystery. 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. Let us know in the comments below and remember to stay safe out there. Much of its difficulty lies in this being partly high altitude, which tires you out more quickly. Note: If you wanted to walk the entire trail or even take a multi-day trek along it, its best to plan your route accordingly. 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. However, for some of the best views of the country, hiking in Spain is the way to go. Stage 1: From Santuari de Queralt (Berga) to Gsol, Stage 3: From Bag to Bellver de Cerdanya, Stage 4: From Bellver de Cerdanya to Porta, Stage 6: From LHospitalet-prs-lAndorre to Mrens-les-Vals, Variant GR-107.1.2: Odn Sant Lloren de Morunys, Variant GR-107.1.3: San Lorenzo de Morunys Tuixent, Variant GR-107.2.1: Bellver de Cerdanya Guils de Cerdanya, Variant GR-107.2.2: Guils de Cerdanya Porta. Speaking of packs, a good daypack that is light and comfortable is also a must have. Hiker admiring the views on a route through the Pyrenees, Left: Detail of the Asclepius statue in the ancient Greek ruins of Empries in Girona, Catalonia / Centre: View of the Hermitage of San Pantalen de Losa in Burgos, Castile and Len / Right: Cape Finisterre in A Corua, Galicia, Left: Cape Higuer Lighthouse in Hondarribia (Guipzcoa), Basque Country / Centre: Detail of the village of Ansa in Huesca, Aragn / Right: Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes in Girona, Catalonia, Left: Source of the Ebro river in Fontibre in the village of Hermandad de Campoo de Suso, Cantabria / Centro: View of the Basilica of Nuestra Seora del Pilar in Zaragoza (Aragn) / Right: Fangar lighthouse on the Ebro Delta in Tarragona, Catalonia, Left: Roman theatre in Mrida, Extremadura / Centre View of Len Cathedral, Castile and Len / Right: View of the beach, in Gijn, Asturias, Left: View of El Cid castle in Jadraque (Guadalajara), Castile-La Mancha / Centre: Details of Molina de Aragn City Walls in Guadalajara, Castile-La Mancha / Right: Village of Bocairent in Valencia, Region of Valencia. 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