If you like hiking, Spain is a perfect destination for you.
Spain has warm, sunny weather, beautiful mountain ranges, and a diverse landscape.
The truth is that you can visit any corner of this country and find a whole bunch of hiking trails.
In this article, we’ve collected the top 6 hiking trails in Spain that will for sure impress you.
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La Pedriza, Guadarrama Mountains
Madrid is an incredibly beautiful city and one of the best places for hikers.
You need only 45 minutes to get from Madrid to the Guadarrama mountains.
It’s a peaceful place surrounded by beautiful nature where you can relax and retreat.
Located on the Guadarrama Mountain Range, La Pedriza is a popular destination among rock climbers and climbers.
The place is named after the rock formations located in the area.
This hiking route is really incredible and full of beautiful rocks, streams, and, of course, forest.
It has an incredible and absolutely unique ecosystem.
While walking through this route, you can spot hawks, eagles, goats, and even wild horses.
Considering the weather in Spain, you can enjoy hiking in this area all year round.
However, make sure to avoid walking through it in the middle of the day during the summer.
The reason is that it can be very hot especially considering the fact that the area is surrounded by rocks.
The length of this route is 6.8km and it is great for hikers with any level of experience.
Usually, you need about 4 hours to complete it.
If you are planning to go hiking with your children, there is a shorter version of this trail.
Mount Teide, Tenerife
Going hiking to Spain, any hiking enthusiast should visit Tenerife to get on the top Mount Teide.
It is the highest mountain in the country as well as a part of Teide National Park that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To get to the top of Mount Teide, you need to take a trail that starts at Montaña Blanca.
One other important point is that Mount Teide is not just a mountain, it the highest volcano in the world.
The landscape of this area is a mixture of some lavish vegetation and volcanic rocks.
You need to know that this trail is hard to hike as it is pretty steep and elevated.
It means that it is better to have some experience in hiking before starting this route.
Usually, about 6 hours are required to complete this route as the hight of this mount is more than 2000m.
The other great point is that the trail is accessible all year round just keep in mind that from November till March it is covered with snow.
At the top of the mount, and Altavista shelter is located so you can have some rest.
You can use a cable car to get back to the ground level or stay overnight on the top.
Cares Gorge, Picos De Europa
If you are going to the northern part of Spain, make sure to go hiking at the Picos de Europa National Park.
It is not only the largest national park in the country but also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The most stunning and amazing route in the area is the Cares Gorge.
While being absolutely breathtaking, this rout is for sure not for beginners.
You should be ready to walk through narrow pathways and climb steep rocks.
The route can be started in the North or in the South of the area.
The length of the Cares Gorge is about 12 km so it can be completed in about 3.5 hours.
One other point is that this route isn’t the best option for those who have a fear of heights.
The great point is that it is almost impossible to get lost there as the route is pretty straightforward.
One other important thing is that it can be very busy on weekends especially during July and August.
Beas de Granada, Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada mountain range goes through the provinces of Almeria and Granada in Andalusia.
It is the highest mountain range in the country and offers some of the greatest hiking routes in Spain.
If you are looking for the best one, it is for sure the Beas de Granada.
It is known for some of the most amazing views in the Sierra Mountains.
Also, it is great for those hikers who are staying in Granada.
This route is a one-way walk that heads from Beas de Granada to the city of Granada.
If you visit the area from November to May, you’ll be able to enjoy even more beautiful and breathtaking views.
The mountains are covered with snow and look majestic.
In most cases, 4-5 hours are enough to complete this route.
Speaking of the route difficulty, you can complete it without a significant incline the only difficulty is the length of this trail.
One other point is that you need to avoid this route in summer as there is just a little shade.
Sant Jeroni, Montserrat
If you want to start the hiking route up to Montserrat, you need to take a 90-minute ride from Barcelona.
In fact, it is one of the most popular options among those who look for a day trip from Barcelona.
The beauty of the area is absolutely stunning and the mountains there are over 1200m high.
Getting on the top, you have an opportunity to enjoy the unforgettable view of the Monastery, surrounding areas, and even Mallorca.
If you want to enjoy the Sant Jeroni trail, head to the Monastery using the cable car.
There is a small village where the route to the Summit of Montserrat starts.
This medium difficulty hike requires about 2.5 hours to get up and back.
The route is quite steep but in the end, there are stairs.
The hight of the summit is about 500m.
Camino Frances, Camino De Santiago
The Camino de Santiago can be translated as St. James route.
The route is a part of pilgrimage trails that lead to Santiago where the remains of St. Santiago are located.
It was incredibly popular in the 10th-12th century but later the interest declined.
Its popularity increased again in the 1970s.
As we said before there is a whole complex of hiking routes in the area but the most popular one is the Camino Frances.
The trail starts in St Jean Pied de Port in France and stretches for 780km til the North of Spain.
Considering the fact that the area is pretty flat, most routes are quite easy to complete.
To complete the entire route, you need about a month but lots of people decide to divide it into numerous parts to make the journey easier in terms of time and physical strength.
During the summer, this area has a mild climate so it can be a perfect time to visit the trail.
Just keep in mind that it can be pretty crowded during this period.
Spain Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Spain Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Spain is a hiker’s paradise with its diverse landscape and warm weather, making it the perfect destination for any hiking enthusiast.