Spain is a vast country with an incredible variety of landscapes, topography, and geography. Since the 1920s, the Royal Mountaineering Society was instituted, and the small emerging community of amateur hikers started looking for the best walking trails in the country. A century later, there are many to choose from, and we tried our best to curate some of the finest examples from different regions within Spain. From pilgrimage trails to smuggler routes, these are locations filled with history and gorgeous backdrops, and all that you need to do now is to explore them on your own!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Barcelona and transfer to your hotel. Explore the city in the afternoon.

Today, when you arrive at the Barcelona International Airport, our driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. You will also receive all of the important travel documentation.
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and its wonderfully located next to the Mediterranean Sea. You will be amazed by the works of the architect Antoni Gaudí, such as the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, but also the creativity and unique energy of this city. Explore Barcelona and discover its modernist architecture, starting with a visit to Gaudí's Sagrada Familia, and then continuing to Parc Güell. Take a stroll through the Gothic Quarter, full of narrow streets and alleys, where history and modernity combine into perfection. Don't forget to stroll along La Rambla, a captivating pedestrian boulevard, and stop at the Boqueria Market to admire the colors and perhaps have a bite to eat.
 

Day 2 - Explore a mystical mountain in Barcelona's surroundings

Today you will collect your rental car. We suggest that you visit the mountainous shrine of Montserrat. Once there, take the funicular and start the hiking route towards St Jeroni. This will allow you to reach the top of the mountain at 1,237 meters high! Trust us, the views are worth it!
 

Day 3 - Explore the Camí de Ronda in the Costa Brava

Your adventure on the hiking trails of Catalonia continues, this time in the Girona area. The famous "Cami de Ronda" was used in the 19th century by the Civil Guard to control smugglers whom illegally transported goods from France and other European countries. In addition, refugees also took to this hidden route to leave the country during the Spanish Civil War. In total, the Camí is made up of more than 200 km, but today we suggest that you walk the section from Palamós to Calella de Palafrugell. This incredible walk along the rugged coastline and the small Mediterranean beaches and coves that you will find here will be among the highlights of this trip.
 

Day 4 - Drive towards the Basque Country

Today you must drive to the North of Spain, specifically to Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country. Located at the mouth of the Nervión river, the city is deeply connected with marine life. These days Bilbao is an important center of economic and social development in the province. The Guggenheim Museum is the cultural landmark of the city, as it turned an industrial city into a cultural metropolis. It will be a long trip, so we suggest that you simply relax the rest of the day or go for a walk along the banks of the estuary.
 

Day 5 - Explore the Coastal landscape in the Basque Country

The landscapes of the Basque Country are incredible, particularly in the coastal areas. Years of erosion around the cliffs have created an ensemble that has served as inspiration for many and has even been used for filming productions as large as Game of Thrones. We suggest you take a short trip to Zarautz and cover the trail to Zumaia.

Day 6 - Explore the Urdaibai Reserve in Guernica surroundings

Last day in the Basque Country, and this time we recommend a great change in landscape. The Urdaibai Estuary Biosphere Reserve is an area made up of wetlands and paths through which you can see a great diversity of protected fauna and flora that will add a lot of interest to your walk. In this area, you can also find the Santimamiñe caves and the magical Painted Forest of Oma.

Day 7 - Departure to Madrid. Flamenco Night

Today is the day to drive south and get to Madrid, the capital of Spain. Along the way, we suggest that you stop and explore the monumental city of Burgos. Having been the capital of the unified kingdoms of Castilla y León in the Middle Ages, today it houses one of the most impressive examples of European Gothic architecture, the Cathedral of Burgos, declared a World Heritage Site. In addition, the fact that it’s part of the Camino de Santiago and having the Atapuerca archaeological site so close, which contains remains of the first European hominids, places Burgos on the map of the most important sites to visit in Spain.
You will be impressed by the monumentality and lifestyle of the cosmopolitan capital of Spain. From historical sites, such as the Royal Palace or Plaza Mayor, to large boulevards such as the Gran Vía or Paseo del Prado, this is a city that never ceases to amaze. Madrid invites you to enjoy its terraces and markets, tapas and restaurants, and even some of the most important museums in Europe, such as the Prado or the Reina Sofía. This evening, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a Flamenco show in Madrid.
 

Day 8 - Discover the Guadarrama Mountain in Madrid

The hiking trail that we propose today is undoubtedly one of the most unique. In the 1920s, to the north of Madrid, in the Sierra de Guadarrama, the Royal Society of Hiking of Peñalara was created. One of its founders, Eduardo Schmidt, a great lover of Nature, pointed out the places that most seduced him, thus creating the route that today bears his name. We suggest that you explore the history of this area as you walk the Schmidt Trail.
 

Day 9 - Drive to Southern Andalusia visiting Toledo on your way

Today you will be headed South. While driving to Malaga, we suggest that you stop to visit Toledo before continuing the long journey to the Costa del Sol. Known as the "city of three cultures", Toledo is a lively city-museum. It was once the home of Arabs, Christians and Jews and its presence can still be felt today in the historic center, where an impressive legacy of churches, palaces, craft shops, mosques and synagogues have been beautifully preserved.

Day 10 - Try the Caminito del Rey

Today you will have to drive 50 kms away from Malaga to walk through the incredible "Caminito del Rey". Created in 1921 by King Alfonso XIII, after the construction of the El Chorro dam, this trail was used by workers and their families, and is made up of incredible caves and some of the highest pedestrian bridges in Europe. Recently, the Spanish government has carried out important rehabilitation works in the infrastructures, improving safety for hikers of all ages.

Day 11 - Explore the city of Málaga

This last day in Spain will be mainly to relax. You can take your time to explore the city of Malaga in a relaxed way. This ancient Phoenician port is one of the oldest in Europe, and it was also home to Romans and Moors alike. Monuments such as its Alcazaba, its Roman theater or its Cathedral are worth visiting. In addition, Malaga is one of the European cities that has opened more museums in its historic center in recent years. Be sure to visit some of them such as the Pompidou Center or the Picasso Museum.

Day 12 - Departure to Málaga Airport

This is your departure day. Be sure to return your rental car at the Malaga Airport before beginning the boarding procedures. Have a nice trip home!

Highlights

An historical trail in Costa Brava

Did you know that the most famous hiking trail in Catalonia, the "Camí de Ronda", was used in the 19th century by the Guardia Civil to control the smuggling of products from France and other European countries? Or that during the Spanish Civil War, many refugees used it to escape from Spain? These are some of the things you will learn as you walk this amazing trail!
 

Highlights

Stunning coastal locations for movie production

The coast of the Basque Country has some of the most incredible rock formations in the world, as it has served as an inspiration and filming location for productions as large as "Game of Thrones". The only way to fully appreciate them is to use these hiking trails to get to places as incredible as Getaria, Zumaia or Deba.
 

Highlights

The North of Madrid's province is not totally flat

Many people see Madrid only as a great metropolis and an area not highly recommended for hiking. However, this is quite far from reality. In fact, it was near Madrid, in the Sierra de Guadarrama, during the 1920s, where the first organized groups of hikers formed the Royal Mountaineering Society, the point of origin of modern hiking in Spain, and one of its members, Eduardo Schmidt, ended up giving his name to this incredible trail of pines trees and granite boulders.
 
 

Highlights

An impressive “royal” trail in the Málaga province

Sometimes the most amazing hiking trails are born out of necessity. That was the case of the path known as "Caminito del Rey". Created in 1921 by King Alfonso XIII, after the construction of the El Chorro dam, this trail was used by workers and families alike, and is comprised of incredible caves and some of the highest pedestrian bridges in Europe. Not really suitable for the weak-hearted...

Prices

From 2340€
Per Person, for a minimum of 2 travelers
12 days
The best hiking trails of Spain
  • 3 nights at the Sixty Two Hotel (or similar) in Barcelona in a Deluxe Room 
  • 3 nights at the Grand Dómine Hotel (or similar) in Bilbao in a DBL Superior Room 
  • 2 nights at the Tótem Hotel (or similar) in Madrid in a Tótem Room 
  • 3 nights at the Molina Lario Hotel (or similar) in Málaga in a DBL Room 
  • 11 days of car rental: EDMR - RENAULT Clio / VW Polo - Manual (Or Similar)   Rental inclusions/exclusions
  • Private meet and greet at the Airport and arrival transfer on a private vehicle
  • Private Half-Day Walking Tour of Barcelona
  • Flamenco live musical performance in a traditional venue in Madrid (show + drink)

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