The trip usually takes two weeks, and hikers gain 12,000 ft in elevation over 112 miles. If you look far enough, youll even be able to peek into France! Accessing the monastery couldnt be easier, just as long as you have your own transport. The route has given rise to historic and religious sites that represent centuries of European architecture at its best. If you are departing from the beginning of the trail on the Spanish side, youll have to get yourself to Berga. That is a massive 620 miles. Directly translating to King's Trail in English, this mesmerising route stretches over 440 kilometres and encompasses the vast plains . Location: Norway. Make sure to protect against the sun by covering up, wearing plenty of sunscreen and taking plenty of breaks. Berga sits just north of Barcelona, and you can reach it by Alsa bus. This long-distance walk along the isles to the south of England takes you island hopping to see well preserved WWII fortifications, rugged cliffs, quiet villages and a fantastic range of pubs. Length: 112 miles. Choose between thousands of activities to live your best life on holiday. Theres a reason that locals sleep in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest. The Canary Islands, in particular the popular island of Tenerife, have no end of accommodation options, beaches, and hiking opportunities. Then, transfer to the center of Burgos, the 9th-century city, a former capital of the kingdom of Castile and home to the Spanish national hero El Cid. The route begins at the southernmost tip of Spain on the co. 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. (On most days you could choose to hike four or six hours, not . Enjoy time to explore on your own before our farewell dinner. Not surprisingly the "Topoguias" look the same as those of their northern neighbours. Some passages could even use a rope, so if you have that sort of knowledge its a plus. Then taper during the month before the event down to a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) distance. Just remember to pack your bathing suit and a towel because there are plenty of beaches along the way for some relaxation when you get tired of walking! . Your email address will not be published. The Pyrenees are a narrow band of wild mountains that form a natural border between Spain and France. Lets face it, when you think of Spain, hiking is probably the last thing that comes to mind. What more could you ask for in a Spanish hostel? Distance: 7.5 miles | Difficulty: Intermediate Hard. Getting to the route depends on where youre starting from. There are 8 main Camino routes in Spain: The Camino Frances, The Camino Portugues, Camino del Norte, The English Way, Camino Finisterre, Camino de Madrid, Camino Primitivo, and the Via de la Plata. You can take the R5 train from Placa Espanya in Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat. Running for about 540 kilometres along Turkey's Mediterranean coast, from Fethiye to Antalya, the Lycian Way is an extraordinary trail that combines several shorter ancient trails. This pristine clean apartment with crisp white walls and tons of exposed wooden beams will make you never want to leave Toledo. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. After reaching Sant Pere de Rodes, follow the uphill path to the fortress. 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. But its not for the faint-of-heart or any sufferers of vertigo. With so many hikes to choose from, its hard to know where to start. 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. 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). Ready to relax in elegance and style? 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 . However, for some of the best views of the country, hiking in Spain is the way to go. Or you could opt for the capital, Madrid or go to coastal Malaga way down south. There are a lot of information online when it comes to walking the Camino de Santiago. The whole route runs for 675km, but the part through the Basque Country is 150km long. The Antonine Wall, begun in AD 142 during the reign of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, consisted of a turf rampart set on a stone foundation stretching 37 miles across central Scotland. You know about all of the details and the important safety tips, now you need to get to grips with the hikes themselves. Nomatic products are sleek, durable, and goddamn efficient. The route of the Good Men or Cathars Path marks the exile that the Cathars traveled in the 12th and 14th centuries. It is situated right in the middle of a pine forest and is around a fifteen-minute walk from the beach. No matter which route you choose in Montserrat, youre bound to be amazed! 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. This walk is famous for its wildlife and meadows that you will cross day after day. Busses leave four times a day from Granada and takes two and a half hours. If you want to begin in Aiguamolls de lEmporda, theres a public transit station located right at the entrance of the park. The trail consists of a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that have been in use for a thousand years or more. Each stage is a combination of magnificent natural spaces with the contrast of picturesque mountain villages, which make this tour an unforgettable experience. 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Its a quick drive from the center of Vilajuiga and Port de la Selva (the nearest towns), and theres plenty of parking available. Sometimes it can be as little as 14 km, but . Although the historical accuracy is highly debatable, the natural beauty provides a different type of Camino experience. This guidebook can be an incredible resource to help you plan! Look no further as in this article, I will share with you information on the best hikes in the region and how to go about planning them. Getting There: Getting to GR92 depends on where you want to start. Undoubtedly a classic, the Camino to Santiago is the first European Cultural Route and Unescos World Heritage. From Navarre, youre going to want to drive through Isaba to get to Zuriza, where the trailhead is located. Bus lines 101 and 400 service the park, and its easily accessible from Girona. With options being seemingly endless, simply figuring out where to stay in Spain can be tricky. 37 were here. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! Its a great summer hike for those wishing to stretch their legs and it can be done in a single day, which is ideal for eager travelers. Cattle graze on grassland, and you may be sharing your path with sheep wandering around freely, too. Keep an eye on the weather It might be known for being a sunny country, but the sun doesnt always shine. If you dont care all that much for amusement parks on hills, and you feel like something much more gruelling, then this hike is for you. 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. Haute Route. 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. Want to know more about what this hike is like? There are a lot of information online when it comes to walking the Camino de Santiago. Its no wonder: this area of the Pyrenees is known for gleaming lakes, sweeping forests and tough climbs. The E1 is one of 12 European long distance walking paths that is maintained by the European Ramblers Association. To start, Spain has a collection of cool cities to base yourself. Keep in mind that preparation for hiking in Spain is absolutely essential. Wed recommend this 47-mile expedition only for experienced adventurers who really want to get their teeth stuck into a challenge. Experience authentic Spain on a Macs Adventure self-guided walking holiday. 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. GR92 is split up into 20 different stages to give travelers the choice of where, when, and how long theyd like to walk for. Views from the top are amazing. Walking on Camino trails is a super social 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. You can also take a train into Oviedo or Santander from anywhere in Spain, but youre still left with a decent distance to travel to get to the park. Resting peacefully on the island of Tenerife, youll find Spains tallest mountain, Mount Teide, coming in at a graceful 3,718 meters. Whilst the walk itself is relatively easy as you can go in your own pace, the actual distance. The terrain may be rocky or technical, requiring proper footwear, and water sources along the trails tend to be scarce so a water bottle or two is vital. Distance: Varies with route | Difficulty: Easy Extremely Hard. However, as you approach the summit, it gets much more challenging, so be sure that youre adequately prepared! The route crosses eight Spanish provinces (Burgos, Soria, Guadalajara, Zaragoza, Teruel, Castelln, Valencia and Alicante) and four Autonomous Communities (Castilla y Len, Castilla-La Mancha, Aragn and the Valencian Community), being an essentially rural itinerary, that traverse more than 70 protected natural spaces and 387 populations: some large cities such as Elche, Valencia or Burgos, but more than half with less than 200 inhabitants. It's a long day-hike that starts from the Covadonga Lakes, and climbs all the way up to the Mirador de Ordiales. Walking the entire trail takes ten days, but is totally worth it to see all of the fishing villages, hidden beaches, and stunning coves along the way. Interest on hiking has increased considerably in Spain. Hiking without the right amount of fluid is pretty dangerous, so its always best to pack a bottle in your pack. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its a quick drive from the center of Vilajuiga and Port de la Selva (the nearest towns), and theres plenty of parking available. 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. And for keen hikers out there, it can indeed be summitted. The Trans-Pyrenees Route crosses the Spanish Pyrenees from West to East, with more than 800 km not suitable for beginners. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). (12 miles hiking, 6 hours). Youll be able to imagine all of those who walked here before you! (11 miles, 5 hours hiking), Start off from the medieval city of Sahagn and head west to the village of Bercianos del Real Camino. 3. A self-admitted travel-yoga-junkie,Mathilde Aude Magnier is French-born but raised in Brussel. Spain boasts mountains, forests, arid interiors, and rugged coastlines. For more than a thousand years, pilgrims have trekked over the high plains of Castilla and the hills of Galicia, some to honor the Apostle James; others in the midst of their own spiritual journey. 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. If your favorite one is not included, leave us a comment with your choice, so we all have more options. Getting to GR92 depends on where you want to start. That being said, there are a ton of routes that start at different places throughout Spain, instead of only at the border. but once you make it to the fortress, youll be treated to panoramic views of the natural park that lies below. Create your own plan for your trip to Spain with a route to suit your requirements. Youll literally be above the clouds. The name, somehow, originates from a legend dating back to 1987. The trail begins way down in southern France but then travels up through the Pyrenees to a final destination in Catalonia. 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. Spain remains one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth. Grab your backpack and hit the road! We're fit and often walk long distances eg. Some stages are just quick day hikes while others are trips that take several days. 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. Sign for the Ridgeway Getting There: The best way to get to Picos de Europa is by driving, as the surrounding scenery is absolutely astounding. Choose from thousands of activities thought out for you. But their popularity seems to be! World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. Outside peak season, you can drive straight to the carpark by Lake Ercina itself. 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. There are things you want answering, like where can I actually hike in Spain? 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. One such place is Sa Talaiassa: the highest point in Ibiza. A famous holiday destination, Spain has long lured travellers with its open, friendly culture and captivating landscapes. Descend to Astorga, and explore the towns fascinating architecture, from Romanesque and Gothic churches to a palace designed by Antoni Gaud. It will take approximately 25 days to complete. Happy hiking! It is closed every Monday, January 1st, December 24th, 25th and 31st! 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. Let us know in the comments below and remember to stay safe out there. You can take the R5 train from Placa Espanya in Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat. The GR 75 currently takes place through 4 stages: This path used to mark the urban and commercial development during the Roman domination , being used also in the Middle Ages by pilgrims to reach Santiago de Compostela. In Spain there are more than 60,000 kilometres of official footpaths. Dubbed Carros de Foc (or Chariots of Fire in English), this trek is not only one of the best hikes in Spain, but is often touted as one of the most beautiful in Europe. Spend time soaking in the beauty of the cape, and sit down to lunch at a local restaurant in town. The South-West Coast Path (with a diversion to Dartmoor if you tire of the coast), the Quantock Way, Offa's Dyke, the Pennine. It is a cultural and nature itinerary that begins in Vivar del Cid in Burgos and concludes in Orihuela (Alicante), to travel a journey of 1,331 km, based on the figure of the Cid, historically linked to Roman walkways, trade routes and historic roads. This five-mile trail travels from Ardales to Alora. If you really want, you could even get a guided tour! The sterdalen Path. The trail is generally quite well marked as it winds through the wooded slopes. Coming from someone who has been traveling the world for the last 8 years AND has been in the hospital 2x, travel insurance is something everyone NEEDS to get. A self guided two week walk with accommodation and luggage transfers really helps to lighten the load although average daily distances of 17km still require fair fitness levels - hearty . We do not represent World Nomads. Also consider if the grip is suitable for the hike youre tackling. Find information on our airports and cruise ports and discover what the flight times are from different points across the world. Continue west to Villafranca del Bierzo, and meet with a local historian before dinner. Once completed, this long-distance path will be . If you dont want to walk back down, or youve had too much fun at the amusement park, no sweat. Hiking boots and gear are necessary, the trail is rough and there is lots of climbing and descending along the coast line. If you do hike alone, make sure somebody knows your plans and where you are going. One of the most popular routes is a walk from the monastery to Santa Cova, an important pilgrim site where the Virgin Mary was believed to have been seen. 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) However, this hiking-haven is also rich with luscious green valleys with not-so-steep pathways running through them. Originally, the road joined the cities of Merida and Astorga and began to be built in the s. II a.C. covering 470 km, but the current full route is approximately 950 km. 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. Its important that your policy covers you for all the fun activities that youre going to get up to. So which hike in Spain are you off to first? In total, England and Wales have around 2,500 miles (4,000 Km) of National Trail. Although badly marked in some sections, Navarra has made a great effort to recover and rescue it for hikers. Return to Santiago for a guided historical tour of the cathedral and the citys old quarter, a World Heritage site. Prepare for your trip in advance with our useful information on entrance requirements, money, safety, healthcare, opening times, etc. Were talking exceptional, breathtaking views of the entire Basque coastline even if this is one of Spains more challenging hikes. 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