The hiking trails in Spain are one of the most underrated features the country offers to locals and travelers alike. Tortilla Española, Paella, La Tomatina, bullfighting, and so on must be on your bucket list if you plan a trip to the country. So, why not add hiking while you are at it? After all, walking holidays in Spain are becoming a thing.
With that out of the way, here’s a breakdown of 12 epic trails you must consider if planning a trip to Spain.
12 Epic Hiking Trails In Spain
1. Camino de Santiago
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Also called the Way of Saint James, Camino de Santiago spans over a massive 780 kilometers and is the longest trail in Europe. It is also the most famous trail in the country or continent and worldwide. There are numerous starting points, but the most popular one remains the town of Saint Jean Pied de Port, just across France. The trail will take you through picturesque woods, Romanesque churches, hamlets, and quaint little towns, including Portomarín, Melide, and Arzúa. Since the trails are flat, well-maintained, and marked, it won’t be a problem even though you are a beginner.
Distance: 780 kilometers Best Time: May - October Start: St. Jean-Pied-du-Port (France) Finish: Santiago de Compostela Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
2. Ruta Del Cares
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Ruta Del Cares, a.k.a. the Divine Gorge, is one of the most famous hiking trails in Spain. It follows through the Picos de Europa. While trekking through the mountains, you will come across spectacular gorges, caves, stone huts, ancient ruins, streams of water, and lots of fauna like mountain goats and eagles. For those with some rock hiking experience, this can be a fairly easy hike. The initial trail from Poncebos is rather steep, rocky, and rugged. But as you near the Cares River, it starts to level out, and you’ll witness a change of scenery - jaw-droppingly beautiful with lush greeneries all over. You will come across two natural springs where you can take a break and drink water. As for snacks, you’ll come across a few snack bars and restaurants in the small town of Cain. But they are known to be closed for business during the off-reasons, so make proper arrangements. Also, avoid hiking along the Ruta Del Cares in bad weather because the trails are slippery and dangerous.
Distance: 24 kilometers Time Taken: 5 - 8 hours (Depending on fitness level) Best Time: Cooler months Start: Poncebo Finish: Cain de Valdeon Difficulty level: Moderate
3. El Caminito del Rey
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Once known to be one of the most dangerous trails in the world, fit only for the bravest, thrill-seeking adrenaline junkies, the Caminito del Rey is today one of the most preferred hiking trails in Spain. With the addition of handrails, stairs, and bridges, it is now considered one of the safest - with spectacular views of the emerald green waters of the Guadalhorce River below. This trail from Ardales to Alora spans over 8 km, where you'll come across Neolithic caves that date back 7000 years and Jurassic-era fossils embedded on the gorge walls. The trail consists of a pedestrian walkway through a rugged gorge, a glass walkway, and hanging footbridges. There are also some narrow sections where the width is barely more than a foot.
Tip: Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance if you plan a hike here. You can trek independently or book a guide at an extra cost.
Admission: €10, including safety gear Distance: 8 kilometers Time: 4 hours Start: Gaitanes Gorge Difficulty level: Intermediate Elevation: 899 ft
4. Barceloneta Beach
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Barceloneta Beach is the ideal option if you prefer beach hiking over rocky terrains. While trails like Caminito del Rey requires strenuous efforts and some hiking experience, you can take a short relaxing hike along the beach effortlessly. Owing to its beauty, the beach is one of the tourist hotspots. So, if you want the soothing beauty of the place all for yourself, we suggest you go at either sunrise or sunset.
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The Pico Sobarcal stands tall at 7411 ft. in the Huesca province of northern Aragon. It is a natural barrier that separates the countries of Spain and France. Consider hiking here only if you have some mountaineering experience because the trails are treacherous and can be extremely challenging for a beginner. It would take you about 7- 8 hours to reach the summit. Most of the way up to the top are moderate, considering you aren’t new to the field. However, the trails near the peak are rough, even for an experienced person. And only the most experienced hikers and mountaineers have reached the peak.
Distance: 8.5 km Time: 7 hours Best time: Spring / Summer Difficulty level: Moderate - Hard
6. Sant Jeroni Summit Loop
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Another popular hiking trail in Spain is the Sant Jeroni Summit Loop trail near Monistrol de Montserrat (Barcelona). As you ascend, it takes you through a forest and a trail of stone peaks. Sant Jeroni, being the highest point of the Montserrat Mountain, offers otherworldly views - the higher you get, the nicer the views. The trail begins at the Montserrat monastery. You can get to it via a cable car from the Montserrat-Aéreo train station or the Monistrol railway. The paths are slippery in certain areas and steep in some. But other than that, it is well maintained, paved with concrete in many areas, and in good condition. We recommend you carry hiking poles, though.
Distance: 9.3 km Time: 3 ½ hours Difficulty level: Easy - Moderate Elevation: 1,978 ft
7. Beas de Granada
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This trail takes you from Beas to Granada through a scenic mountain ridge and epic views. It is fairly easy and apt besides the first 4 -5 km. However, if you’re one of those challenging adventure junkies who prefer strenuous uphill hiking, you can do reverse hiking - not from Beas to Granada but from Granada to Beas. The highlight of this hike is the panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Now, as to when the ideal time to hike through this trail is, it comes down to your preferences entirely. For spectacular snow-capped mountains that look straight out of a postcard, go in the winter season. But just to let you know, the path can be comparatively slippery due to ice and snow.
Distance: 16 km Time: 1 day Difficulty level: Easy - Moderate
8. Peñalara Circular Route
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Another trail in Madrid (Spain) popular among hikers is the Peñalara circular route. The trail begins at the Peñalara visitor center in Puerto de Cotos. It takes you through a beautiful pine forest to Peñalara Park, Madrid’s highest summit, where you’ll come across a handful of reptiles and amphibians. From there, the route continues among its lagoons and glacial formations in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. You’ll come across black vultures and white-and-brown-flecked Spanish imperial eagles, two species on the brink of extinction.
Distance: 14 km Time: 3.5 hours Difficulty level: Moderate - Hard
9. Camí de Cavalls
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The Camí de Cavalls is not just one of the longest hiking trails in Spain but one of the prettiest too. Its 186 km trail encircles the island of Menorca. Needless to say, you’ll come across the mesmerizing beauty of the region - passing through ravines, wetlands, coves with pristine turquoise water, farmland, valleys, and lighthouses. Most of the path is rocky, so make it a point to wear sturdy, comfortable footwear whether you opt for a short or a multi-day hike around the island. You can hike along the coastline at any time of the year. Just make sure you plan ahead carefully and take all the essentials you might need along the way. As you’ll see, there are certain areas where you’ll not find any food/ lodging options for miles.
Distance: 186 km Time: Several days Difficulty level: Hard
10. San Adrian Tunnel
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The San Adrian trail begins in the Arrigorria region, near the Hermitage of the Virgen de la Concepcion. It then goes uphill and passes through Lardiko Gaina, the summit and the hermitage of San Adrian. The tunnel is a natural cave in the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park. It was formed through water erosion and is a part of the Way of Saint James. This trail is moderately challenging. But it can be a good option if you are looking for a quiet hike.
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Mulhacen, the highest mountain on the Iberian Peninsula, is in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and stands at 3,479 m. There’s a trail for everyone leading to the peak, depending on the fitness and levels of expertise. If you prefer the hardest, take the north-face route. But let us tell you beforehand that this particular route is only for experienced and advanced mountaineers and hikers.
On the other hand, the easiest and the most popular route is via the Southern face - from the Mirador de Trevélez in the Alpujarras. This route takes roughly 2 hours to reach the peak. You’ll complete the first part of the route (2700 meters) via a special bus and, from then on, hike up the remaining distance to the top. However, note that you can avail of this service only in summer. There are two other route options to choose from, which are moderately challenging. Both start from the south in the Alpujarras.
Distance: Varies according to the route Time: Varies according to the route Difficulty level: Easy - Hard
12. Route of the Monasteries of Valencia
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The route of the monasteries of Valencia, once popular as a pilgrimage trail for the Roman Catholics, is now one of the most famous trails among hikers. The breathtaking beauty of the Spanish countryside, as people move from monastery to monastery and from monastery to hamlets, explains why the trail is gaining so much fame today. Though it was once trodden by the most religious, it is now loved by hikers and history buffs alike - the ancient architecture with heavy Roman influence is definitely an eye-catcher.
Distance: 90 km Time: 3 - 4 days Start: Gandia Finish: Alzira Difficulty level: Easy
Those are some of the popular options you can consider if you plan to go hiking in Spain. As mentioned earlier in the article, there’s literally not a bad time or weather to walk a trail in this country. So, whether you are traveling to the country in the dead of winter or during the scorching summer months, there’s always a path ready to be trodden on.
