The routes to get to know Spain
Are you seeking inspiration for a route through the country? Spain has more than 60,000 kilometers of official footpaths. Here are some of the most spectacular hiking paths for taking in the scenery while enjoying your favorite sport.
Along the way you can see glacial lakes, volcanoes, marshes brimming with birdlife, cliffs with centuries of history, and forests where you can listen to the bellowing of the deer. You can visit 16 national parks or follow trails built on old railway tracks. Lace up your boots and head to Spain’s trails.
The Vías Verdes (Greenways) are abandoned railway lines in natural surroundings that have been repurposed into ideal routes for hiking and cycling tourism. The Greenways are generally easily accessible, and total more than 3,200 kilometers of eco-friendly trails.
These paths are a good example of restoring the environment; on some you can see rare animals such as bears. Certainly this is the case on the Bear Trail in Asturias, where the bears Paca and Molina, rescued as cubs, now live in enclosures near the town of Proaza. These animals are easy to spot when you pass by on the road, especially if they are eating.
Similarly, the Natural Trails comprise around 10,000 kilometers of canals, paths and livestock trails, reconditioned for people to enjoy and to facilitate contact with the rural environment.
Spain has more Biosphere Reserves than any other country in the world. environments. All national parks and many biosphere reserves have marked trails, and many offer hiking guide services.
The 16 Spanish national parks all offer footpaths, visitor centers, and scheduled tours. Four of the parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They are the national park of Doñana in Andalusia, the national park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido in Aragon, and the national parks of Garajonay and Teide in the Canary Islands. When planning your trip, remember that you need to book visits to some parks in advance, and obtain any permits required for certain activities. Find out what you need on the national parks of Spain website.
Spain’s many examples of eco-friendly practices give you the opportunity to enjoy nature, culture, and active travel responsibly, creating travel memories for years to come.
