Trekking in Spain – hiking in the Pyrenees and the way of Santiago 2022

Many travelers associate Spain with the magnificent beaches of the Mediterranean coast, national cuisine, bullfighting and architectural masterpieces of Barcelona and Madrid. But fans of outdoor activities will also be delighted with the country: about 90% of its territory is covered by mountains and plateaus, so hiking here is free rein! Numerous nature reserves and national parks, as well as the love and care with which Spaniards treat their natural treasures, create an excellent environment for hiking here.

Hiking and trekking in Spain is a great opportunity to combine hiking tours of varying difficulty with the exploration of a rich cultural heritage and history, visiting the many festivals and holidays, tasting local delicacies and relaxing on one of the coasts.

FEATURES OF HIKING IN SPAIN

Natural diversity and a wide range of routes

Spain has several mountain ranges, each with its own landscapes, climate, flora and fauna. In the center of the country there is the vast Castile Plateau, which is bounded by high mountain ranges in its perimeter: The Cantabrian Mountains in the north, the Iberian Mountains in the east and the Andalusian Mountains in the south. And in the north-east of Spain along the border with France stretch the powerful ranges of the Pyrenees. Each of these mountain systems has its own appeal to adventurers and contains many hiking routes.

But even beyond the mountains in Spain, there is a lot to walk. For example, in the northern part of the country there is the most famous pilgrimage route in the world – the trail of St. James. Special mention should be made of the Spanish archipelagos – the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, where the unique natural conditions are most suitable for hiking and outdoor activities.

Accommodation only in organized campsites and shelters

Wild camping is forbidden in Spain. This means that by law, you can only set up tents in specially designated areas. This rule varies from region to region, but in general the situation is as follows: it is strictly forbidden to set up tents on the beaches, national parks, and along the Mediterranean coast. For violation, you can get a hefty fine. In the mountains, the laws are more lenient, particularly in the Pyrenees, as well as in the northern part of the country. Here it is allowed to set up a tent at sunset and pick it up at dawn.

In general, this is not a major problem, as there are tourist shelters for overnight stays along most of the popular hiking trails. For example, during the St. James Trail trek, members spend the night in shelters called albergues. They have common rooms for overnight stays, toilets, showers, and kitchens.

Another important feature of hiking in Spain is the ban on campfires. It is relevant for the whole territory of the country (except for specially designated areas) and is due to the danger of fires. Therefore, you can cook only on gas burners during the trip.

Bright sun and cold at high altitudes

Spain has the image of a warm and sunny country, but when planning hiking in the Iberian Peninsula, you need to take into account the peculiarities of the climate of the particular region you plan to visit. In general, Spain can be called a country of bright sun: the average number of sunny days is close to three hundred throughout the year. Therefore, it is important to use protective equipment against radiation. And in the mountainous areas it will be not only sunny, but also cold. In the Pyrenees, you might come across snowfields even in high summer, so choose your clothing and equipment carefully.

Briefly about Spain trekking routes 

Trekking in the Pyrenees: Canyon of Ordes and climbing the Lost Mountain

The Pyrenees is a majestic mountain range on the border of Spain and France. As part of our trek in the Pyrenees, we will climb its third-highest peak, Monte Perdido ("The Lost Mountain"). The mountain is so beautiful that together with the surrounding area it is included in the list of UNESCO sites. The climbing route to Monte Perdido passes through the picturesque Ordesa Canyon, one of the deepest and most impressive in Europe. Because of its similar shape, many people compare it to the Grand Canyon in the United States. But unlike the latter, Ordesa is much greener and more "alive".  Numerous waterfalls, massive rocks rising above the river to a thousand meters, the culture and life of the inhabitants of the proud Catalan await for members. The Hiking Tour of the Pyrenees starts and finishes in Barcelona, which is a great opportunity to get to know this legendary city.

The Way of Saint James Tour – Santiago de Compostela

The Way of Saint James is one of the most famous pilgrimage routes on the planet. It has been used by pilgrims since the Middle Ages and has been actively gaining popularity for the past few decades. The final goal of all travelers is the Cathedral of St. James in the city of Santiago de Compostella. There are several options for the route: the longest starts in France and runs through northern Spain. There is also an alternative option with the start in Portugal. Our route starts in the town of Aviles in Asturias and has a length of 310 kilometers. On this hike, members can admire the diverse nature of Spain as well as enjoy the cozy Spanish towns and villages with numerous churches, cathedrals and monuments.

There are no significant changes in altitude along the route, and the main difficulty is the long day hikes (up to 30 km per day). About half of the trek goes along the Bay of Biscay, which gives the opportunity to observe the mesmerizing sea views and swim in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. We spend the night in special pilgrim shelters, albergues, where you can also shower and cook food. The Way of St. James is perfect for anyone who wants to combine contemplation of pastoral landscapes with reflection on life and the search for inner harmony.

When it is best to go hiking in Spain – seasonality and weather

Hiking tours in Spain can be done all year round, but you have to keep in mind that the weather will vary greatly in different parts of the country.

In general, Spain is characterized by a warm Mediterranean climate, but the large number of mountain systems has a strong influence on it and brings differences in climatic features of the regions. Thus, the north-west and north of the country (up to the Cantabrian mountains) are influenced by the Atlantic air masses. Winters are warm and humid, and summers are hot, but not as sizzling as in the south. This part of the country is called 'Green Spain' because of the rich vegetation. This is where our hiking tour along the St. James Way takes place. Hiking here is recommended in spring and the first half of fall. In winter, it rains too much, and in summer the high temperatures are not conducive to long hikes.

To the south of the Cantabrian Mountains lies the vast Castile Plateau (Meseta), which is characterized by hotter weather in the summer and considerably less rainfall. Hiking in this area and as far south as the Mediterranean Sea coast is strongly not recommended in the summer, because the temperature can reach 35 C and above. The exceptions are the high mountains, in particular, the Sierra Nevada in the south (with the highest peak of mainland Spain – Mount Mulhacen (3,479 m)) and the Pyrenees in the east. Here, thanks to the altitude zone it is much cooler than on the plains, and therefore trekking is most appropriate in the summer.

The cost of hiking in Spain 

The full cost of hiking in Spain is made up of three components:

• The cost of the program
• Additional expenses for the route
• Flight

The cost of the hike program in the Pyrenees is €350, with additional costs of €100-200.

The cost of the St. James Way hike is €590 (basic package) or €950 (optimal package). The extras will include a long internal transfer to Aviles and will be about €300.

Flights to Spain from Ukraine and back will cost from 250€ per person.

How to get to the starting point of the hike

Our hike in the Pyrenees starts in Barcelona. You can get there by direct flights on Wizz Air, RyanAir, UIA, Sky Up, Vueling, and Bees. You can also transfer in Budapest or in one of the Polish cities. We recommend you reading our article "How to get to Barcelona. Transfer from the airport to the city".

The hike along the Way of Saint James begins in the town of Aviles. It can be reached by bus from other Spanish cities. We recommend flying into Barcelona, Madrid, or any of the cities in northern Spain.

Exact coordinates of the meeting point and team leader contacts will be communicated to participants 7-10 days before the start of the trip.

Popular questions about the region

Safety in Spain 

Spain is generally considered a safe country and is among the top 30 safest countries in the Global Peace Index. But this should not put tourists arriving in the country at ease, because in large cities, especially in Barcelona, pickpocketing and fraud are very common. In order not to become a victim of criminals, we recommend following a number of simple rules:

• Keep things in backpacks and bags with secure zippers and closures, keep them close to you. You can use backpacks with hidden zippers that cannot be unzipped without your knowledge.
• Do not keep documents, money, phones and other items in your back pockets.
• Avoid large crowds of people, particularly in public transport
• Watch suspicious persons closely, but try to avoid direct contact with them.

Visa

Ukrainians don't need a visa to visit Spain, it is enough to have a biometric passport. The citizens of other countries need a Schengen visa. You can specify the rules of entry to Spain for the citizens of your country in our consultants. Also, before visiting Spain you should check the current quarantine restrictions.

Spanish Cuisine

Like neighboring Portugal, Spain attracts tourists with its delicious and varied cuisine. Cooking traditions have been formed over the centuries and vary greatly in different regions of the country. Ideally, in order to get to know Spanish cuisine you would need to visit all 17 provinces, each of which may cook the same dish in a completely different way.

Perhaps the most well-known dish in the country is paella – rice with meat, seafood and vegetables cooked in a special pan. There are hundreds of recipes for paella, but most of them must use rice, cardamom and olive oil, and the rest of the ingredients may vary. The homeland of paella is Valencia, but they will be delighted to prepare it for you in any restaurant in the country.

Another famous Spanish dish is jamon – dried pork ham, which is served in thin slices and may be combined with other foods and drinks. In general, jamon is just the tip of the iceberg of Spanish recipes for cooking pork, it would take a whole cookbook to describe them all.

Even those who have never been to Spain may have heard of tapas – a Spanish snack served with beer or wine. Each bar has its own signature tapas, which is often included in the price of a drink. The number of different tapas options is truly endless, so it's up to you personally to decide which region or place has the tastiest tapas.

In addition to the above-mentioned dishes, Spain is famous for its cheeses. They are loved here and combined with almost any other food. Also, locals love olives, eggs (not just for breakfast) and seafood.

As for drinks, the most popular in Spain is beer, while wine is in second place. Widely known outside of Spain is Sangria – a drink based on wine with the addition of fruit and brandy.

On our hikes in Spain, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the traditional cuisine of the Spanish regions. On a hike along the route of St. James, we will visit Asturias and Galicia. The most famous dishes of Asturias are fabada (thick bean soup with bacon or sausage), cachopo (breaded calf fillet with side dishes) and desserts of rice and milk. As for Galicia, boiled octopus and Galician empanada (pie with mushrooms, chicken and other fillings) are popular here. Trekking in the Pyrenees takes place in Catalonia and Aragon, which means you will have a chance to taste the famous onion calçote (they even hold a special holiday in honor of it – calçotada), cannellonni (Barcelona lasagna), fideuà (a version of paella with noodles), fricando (stew of veal with mushroom sauce) and much more.

Architectural and cultural treasures

Spain is one of the cradles of Western European culture. Hiking and trekking in Spain is a great opportunity to combine outdoor activities with the exploration of the rich cultural heritage of the country. There are 48 sites in Spain under UNESCO protection, 18 of which are recognized masterpieces of human genius.

The most famous attractions are located in Barcelona. This world-famous church Sagrada Família and other masterpieces of Antonio Gaudi, the Palace of Catalan Music, Park Güell, Boulevard Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, the Cathedral and much more. Tourists will be interested in visiting the colorful Boquería market and the largest aquarium in Europe.

Many cultural attractions are located in Madrid. This is primarily the Royal Palace and Museum of the Prado, as well as several world-famous squares.

But outside the two largest cities in Spain, fans of culture have a lot to see. Almost every relatively large city will give you fascinating architecture, which can often be found in very small towns. If possible, visit Alicante, Valencia, Granada, Murcia and Seville on the Mediterranean coast; Avila, Toledo, Burgos and Leon in the center of the peninsula; and Bilbao, San Sebastián, La Coruña and Santiago de Compostela in the north.

For inspiration: Books and movies

Paulo Coelho's book Diary of a Magician played a huge role in popularizing the Way of Santiago and Spain in general. It is an autobiographical novel in which the author describes his experience on the pilgrimage path. Another famous book about Spain is For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. It tells the story of the Civil War, 1936-1939.

Now to the movies and videos. About Santiago's Way there is  a terrific 2010 auteur film called The Way. It was directed by Emilio Esteveza. For lovers of melodramas, we recommend the film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" by Woody Allen, in which you can enjoy the views of Spain's most popular city.

There are a series of "Oryol & Reshka" videos on Youtube about Spain: Travel Guide about the country, issues about Catalonia, Basque Country, Madrid, and Barcelona.