Walking holidays in Spain

Did you know that Spain is a walker’s heaven? Especially, Valencia, Catalonia, and Andalucia are some Spanish regions, which offer great walking holidays. It goes without saying that there are the most diverse packages on offer in these regions to ensure that the walkers feel like locals and experience the best of natural as well as cultural or adventures in Spain.

There are two ways to enjoy the walking holidays in Spain: guided walks or self-centered walks. Guided walking holiday packages are more preferred as they include excellent cuisine in the traditional village cottages, airport transfers, local transport, and 6 days guided walking. There is also something called as the Single Centre independent walking package that includes self catering, cottage for living, packed lunches, choosing your own walks from a great list of 110 different walks as per your level of ability, local transport, and car rental.

Walking holidays in Alicante, Valencia

This is that region which is yet to be explored by the walkers. The typical limestone mountains are home to some of the most diverse landscapes suitable for walkers of all levels. Scenery varies from rocky peaks to gorges to narrow ravines and to wide terraced valleys that are edged by small hamlets left unharmed by several Moorish and Roman rulers. If you take up a walking tour in Spring, you will be mesmerized by the wild flowers that also include orchids as well as rare species. If you are bird watcher, this tour will be like your dream come true as bird life is abundant – spot Golden eagles, Griffon vultures as they migrate in every autumn, singing nightingales in late April to June, and the Golden Oriole. On your way, you also get a chance to buy some locally produced almonds as well as olive oil.

I would recommend for booking a tour that starts from Saturday here, as midweek tours are not on offer regularly.  A seven-day tour will cost you in the range of €560 – €850 without the airfare, but including meals, accommodation, and local transfers. This is the cost of the guided walking holiday. You can choose to tour during the almond blossom season after mid-February until mid-March.

Walking holidays in Catalonia

Most of the times, self-guided walking tours operate here. If you stroll here you will be captivated by the Spring’s wild flowers, orchards, verdant farmlands, miles of untouched shoreline, untouched medieval villages, cultural festivals, and the local markets not forgetting the weather that will urge you to sip a coffee and observe the people passing by.

This tour includes exploring the Biax Emporda region featuring secret coves, undisturbed countryside, fantastic produce, great dining, organic olive oil producer, a small jam factory, a cheese producer, and local markets. Your excursion will start at Palamos where you spent full one day exploring the harbor and museums. You then walk the ‘Camins de Ronda’ – the ancient smugglers coastal path to Calella de Parafrugell – a beach on the Costa Brava where the main highlights are Iberian settlement ruins, castle, Botanical gardens, and Hotel Garbi. The following days will make you explore the historical Palafrugell, Begur, cliffs, coves, Pals, Fontclara, and Peratallada, artisan olive oil producer, and wine tasting.

Your tour can start on any day, but the best months for this tour are May, early June, September, and October that facilitates growing of apples and pears; dry sunny days; and tolerable temperatures. This eight-day trip will cost you from €795 excluding the airfare.

Walking holidays in Andalucia

Andalucia is the southernmost region that offers two choices – challenging walks and easy tracks. On this tour, you will be able to find all about the unseen Spain in a relaxed atmosphere. Before starting this tour, do collect as much as local as well as historical information. Dining is just awesome and that you stay in a beautifully genuine village chalet with comfortable amenities.

Your trip will start from Andalucia and will then take you to the village of Comares; Casa de la Mina for good refreshments, views, and photography; El Canuelo from behind the village of Periana featuring blossoming nature and birds in February; Lost villages of Acebuchal featuring a round walk; and the historic Canillas de Albaida.

Interesting Tours and Adventures
Montgo Mountain Tour
Girona Try Dive

Andalucia is just lovely for its great walking tracks with the brilliant company of the group members as well as tour leaders, especially Gill & Dave who are just dedicated and do anything to ensure that all are together while walking. In 2011, this tour will be available in February, April, May, September, and December. Even this is the eight-day trip costing you £599 excluding flights.

Picos inn to inn tour

Picos de Europa is just awesome for its wonderful mountain scenery, old routes, shimmering village inns, and unique walking. Within eight days, explore all about this uniquely charming Picos de Europa mountains by walking as well as hiking via the forests, mountains, hamlets, riversides, meadows, and valleys. This tour is a moderate one from May to October, which will cost you £795.