There are so many fantastic options for walking holidays in Spain, but I’ve narrowed it down to five of the very best. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking scenery, fascinating culture, or simply want to take a journey on foot to soothe your soul or get back into shape, a walking holiday in Spain might be just what you need.
Walking Holiday #1: The Camino de Santiago
One of the most famous long-distance walking routes in Spain is the Camino de Santiago – an ancient pilgrimage that passes through some of Spain’s most picturesque countryside. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, there’s no better way to experience everything that this diverse country has to offer than hiking through the countryside on a portion of the Camino de Santiago.
While the entire Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route is 780 kilometers (about 485 miles), there are many different versions of the route that people take, as well as different portions of the route that allow walkers to have the Camino experience, without taking two months to do it.
The French Way/El Camino Frances (Camino de Santiago)
The #1 most popular Camino route is called ‘the French Way’ or Camino Frances. This route is 500 miles, starting from Saint Jean Pied de Port in France and traveling across Spain to Santiago de Compostela in the Galicia region of Spain. Because this route is so popular and heavily traveled, there are many, many amenities for pilgrims along the way. However, this also means that during peak season (summer months) that accommodation will be fully booked so it’s important to plan ahead.
The Camino Frances passes through gorgeous areas of France and Spain including iconic and culturally rich cities such as Pamplona, Logroño (the capital of Spain’s Rioja region), Burgos, and Leon. Walkers arrive in Galicia via the mountains, passing through small, historic villages on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
The Camino Frances can be completed in about 35 nights or less or more depending on your pace, preference, etc.
How to Travel to Saint Jean Pied de Port in France
The closest airport to Saint Jean Pied de Port is Biarritz, which is about a 30-minute drive (or a 30-minute bus drive from Biarritz to Bayonne and then an hour train ride from Bayonne to Pied de Port). There are direct flights into Biarritz from many major European cities (though no direct flights from the U.S.).
El Camino Portuguese
Starting in Lisbon, Portugal and ending in Santiago de Compostela the Camino Portuguese is between 600 and 620 kilometers (370/379 miles) depending on whether you take the central or coastal route. The advantage to taking the coastal route is of course the coastal views!
This route is usually done in approximately 30 days and includes stops in many charming towns and villages. It’s the second most frequently traveled Camino route, so you will find plentiful resources for travelers. However, this also means that if you are doing it during peak season, some of the Albergues (casual accommodation options with many beds in a shared room, most commonly used by pilgrims doing the Camino) may be full.
Camino Primitivo
The Camino Primitivo, or the ‘Original Way’ [of St. James] is considered to be the very first or original pilgrimage route (Camino) linking Santiago de Compostela with the holy ground in Galicia. It starts in Oviedo and ends in Santiago de Compostela. It is believed to have been traveled by King Alphonse II during the 9th century and connects to two other Camino routes: The Northern Way, which starts at San Sebastian and ends near Oviedo, and the French Way which crosses with the Camino Primitivo in Melide.
The Camino Primitivo is a more challenging (read more rugged terrain and steeper climbs/descents) but also incredibly scenic and peaceful route compared to the French or Portuguese Ways. It crosses stunning, diverse landscapes in Asturias (a part of ‘Green Spain’) and passes through tiny barely populated villages, where locals still live very much in touch with nature, and that look much today as they did a hundred years ago. The increased challenge of this route means there is a lower volume of travelers on this route as well as fewer of the amenities pilgrims find on the most heavily trafficked routes.
Walking Holiday #2: The Pyrenees
Some of the best walking holidays in Spain have to be in the Pyrenees. There are a lot of gorgeous areas to explore the outdoors in the Pyrenees, including two National Parks (the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park and the Aigüestortes National Park), 3000 peaks, medieval villages, monasteries, and lakes.
One of the best-known long-distance walking routes in Spain, the GR11 (also known as ‘La Senda’), runs across the Pyrenees through mountains, valleys, and villages. This route starts in Irun (north of Basque Country, on the coast) and ends Cap de Creus. It’s 820 km/509 miles and is popular with serious hikers.
Other popular walking and hiking routes in the Pyrenees include the western Aigüestortes area and the eastern lake of San Maurici within the Aigüestortes National Park, the Posets and Maladeta Natural Park, and Puigmal Mountain.
The official languages of the Pyrenees are French, Spanish, Catalan, and Basque. Most people in Spain will communicate in Spanish. However, in Andorra, the major language is Catalan.
Walking Holiday Idea #3: Picos de Europa
If you’re looking for a walking holiday that offers stunning mountain scenery, lovely villages, and plenty of culture, then the towering Picos de Europa mountains in northern Spain should be high on your list. This picturesque mountain range spans the autonomous communities of Asturias, Cantabria, and Castile & León.
There are many, many great routes and trails to take in the Picos de Europa including the following fantastic scenic routes:
Ruta del Cares
The route starts in the Asturian village of Puente Poncebos and travels through Caín in Leon to Posada de Valdeón, along the Cares Canyon.
Ruta Puertos de Aliva in Fuente Dé
Walking Holiday #4: The Alpujurra (La Alpujurra)
The Alpujurra is a lesser-known walking holiday destination in Spain. This natural and historic area is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada in Southern Spain. The region extends to both Granada and Almería and is often referred to as ‘Las Alpujurras’ in reference to its series of mountain villages, connected by footpaths.
The Alpujurra is a lesser-known walking holiday destination in Spain. This natural and historic area is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada in Southern Spain. The region extends to both Granada and Almería and is often referred to as ‘Las Alpujurras’ in reference to its series of mountain villages, connected by footpaths.
The Alpujurra was once an important region for Moorish Spain, and its villages still reflect this influence in their architecture. The landscape is different from other parts of Spain, with its expansive meadows, gurgling rivers, and snow-capped mountain peaks.
There are a number of different routes you can take on a walking holiday in the Alpujurra. One of the lesser-known but fantastic routes is the GR-7 Busquístar – Capileira route (a footpath) which will take you through open countryside between the charming, historic, white villages of Busquístar, Pórtugios, Atalbéitar, Pitres, Capilerilla, and Capileira.
One of the most popular hikes in the region is the ‘Ruta de Los Siete Lagos’, which takes you past seven glacial lakes and through some of the most beautiful scenery in the region.