Hiking In Spain – 11 Stunning Hikes To Do

Famed for its food, fiestas, and fantastic weather, hiking might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of a trip to Spain… But that doesn’t mean it’s not a fantastic destination for a hiking holiday. Spain does, in fact, offer an incredible variety of landscapes for outdoor enthusiasts to explore – with mountain ranges, coastal hiking routes, rivers and canyons, and even volcanic craters to explore, there really is something for everyone.

Things really heat up during those summer months, yet some of the mountain paths become inaccessible in the winter times due to heavy snowfall, so make sure you do your research about the right time of year for your trip. But, whenever you decide to embark on your walking holiday in Spain, it’s bound to be one that you’ll never forget.

Santa Margarida Volcano Loop

Okay, so we’ve covered mountains, rivers, and beaches… but what about Volcanoes? Yepp, that’s right, Spain has quite the range of scenery to choose from. The Santa Margarida Volcano loop is one of our favorite routes and begins at the Santa Margarida car park (although there are also bus journeys that take you most of the way there running from Barcelona if you don’t have a car with you).

It’s 11 km in total and there are no refreshment stops along the way, so make sure you have plenty of water and snacks with you for the journey.

The crater left by the now non-functional volcano may seem like an odd site to place a building, but that didn’t stop the Romans from constructing a chapel dedicated to the volcano itself. The crater once formed entirely of rock, is now topped with greenery, and looks like something from another planet (Jurassic Park springs to mind).

Image courtesy of WikiMedia

El Caminito del Rey (also known as 'the King's Road)

The El Caminito del Rey is probably Spain’s most famed walk and it was once known as one of the most dangerous hiking trails in the country. It has since been vastly improved and is far easier than it once was.

It is located in the South of Spain (more specifically, in Ardales in Malaga). Despite being just under 8 km long, it’s a strenuous route that climbs an almost vertical cliff face in the Gaitanes Gorge. The sheerness of the slopes combined with very narrow walkways has led to several tragic deaths over the years, earning it a reputation as the most dangerous walkway on earth.

To improve safety the walkway was restored and reopened in 2015, and you now need to purchase a ticket to tackle the climb. Tickets are purchased online and sell out quickly, so we recommend booking in advance. It will cost you €10 for an ordinary ticket and €18 for a guided tour.

The one-way walk begins in Ardaels and ends in El Chorro and, along the way, you’ll encounter some spectacular views of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes area. The river running through it has formed a picturesque canyon, and there’s some cool wildlife to spot if you keep your eyes open, including ibex, eagles, and foxes.

Ruta del Cares (Divine Gorge)

The Ruta del Cares hike (aka the Divine Gorge) in Northern Spain stretches from Poncebos and ends in C