Spain offers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes for hiking: from the snowy Pyrenees to the volcanic coasts of the Canary Islands. We have selected 12 of the best hiking routes in Spain, organised with practical information so you can find your next adventure.
Spain brings together very varied landscapes for walking: from the snowy Pyrenees to the volcanic coasts of the Canary Islands. Here are 12 of the best hiking routes in the country, ordered with practical information so you can choose your next outing.
Each route provides the data you need before setting off. You will see the duration, the elevation gain and the best time of year to do it, as well as the difficulty level according to your physical condition.
You will also find the logistics for each route: how to get there and where it starts. And sustainability tips so that your passage leaves the smallest possible impact on the environment.
1. GR11 — Senda Pirinática
The GR11 crosses the Pyrenees from sea to sea: about 800 km between the Cantabrian Sea and the Mediterranean. It is the great challenge of active tourism in Spain and demands respect.
It crosses the entire mountain range and is not for beginners: it requires excellent physical fitness, experience in high mountains and rigorous planning. In return, you will find alpine landscapes, crystal-clear mountain lakes and exceptional biodiversity.
The route is divided into about 45 stages, with 40-50 days to complete it. Its modular design allows you to do weekend or one-week sections. Typical stages are between 14 and 25 km daily, with elevation gains of 800-1,500 m, and the route accumulates between 42,000 and 44,000 m of positive elevation gain. Most of it has a MIDE 3-4 difficulty level.
The optimal season is from mid-June to late September. It includes demanding passes such as the Brecha de Rolando (2,804 m) on its high variant over Ordesa. In Ordesa, bivouacking is permitted above 2,500 m between sunset and sunrise.
Practical tips
- Best time: late June to mid-September
- Mountain huts: book well in advance, especially July-August
- Highlight sections: the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park or the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park. For a more concentrated experience, check our circular route guide in the Pyrenees
- Equipment: topographic maps or reliable GPS, technical layered clothing and high mountain footwear
Picuco can help you
Does something here catch your eye?
Tell us.
Write to us on WhatsApp or email: we answer questions, find the best options and help you sort out the booking.
Write to us
We guide you based on the type of plan you have in mind and reply by WhatsApp or email.
2. Cares Route — Picos de Europa
Twelve kilometres of path carved into the rock, between Poncebos (Asturias) and Caín de Valdeón (León).
The path is mostly flat and wide, so it can be done by anyone with moderate physical fitness, despite its dramatic appearance. It is 12 km one way.
In summer, the environment is arid and hot and there are no rest points, so bring water and sun protection. Exercise extreme caution due to possible rockfalls and use suitable footwear.
Practical tips
In summer there are many people and heat; if you go then, start early to avoid crowds and the hottest hours.
The Picos de Europa National Park has villages and cheese dairies near the path. Combine the route with a visit to Cabrales cheese producers and the villages in the area.
Bring footwear with good grip, plenty of water, sun protection and food. It is necessary to book in advance.
3. Camino de Santiago — French Way
Some yellow arrows and scallop shells lead you from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela. The French Way is the most famous pilgrimage route in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The route covers about 790 km and crosses the mountains of Navarra, the vineyards of La Rioja, the Castilian Meseta, and the forests of Galicia. Along the entire path, there is a network of hostels, so you can sleep every night on the way.
You can do the whole thing in 30-35 days or split it into shorter sections. The hardest stage is crossing the Pyrenees in a single day.
Watch out for the dates: the high route via Lepoeder is closed from 1 November to 31 March. During those months, you must use the Valcarlos variant.
Practical tips
If your goal is the Compostela, the last 100 km from Sarria are enough.
A 1-2 week section will give you a good idea of the experience before you commit to the full route. In any case, book in advance, especially during high season.
4. Mulhacén climb and circuit through the Alpujarras
Mulhacén measures 3,479 m and is the highest peak in the Iberian Peninsula. On clear days, you can see the Mediterranean and the African coast from the top.
The climb from Hoya del Portillo requires stamina due to the elevation gain and altitude, but it does not require technical climbing. It serves as a first contact with high-altitude mountaineering near Granada.
Expect 18 to 22 km round trip depending on the starting point, about 1,300 m of accumulated elevation gain, and between 7 and 10 hours of walking. The technical difficulty is low, typical of high-mountain hiking.
It is mandatory to book the shuttle bus in advance, especially on weekends in July and August.
Practical tips
Climbing Mulhacén requires preparation before you set off: the altitude and the sun weigh more than they seem. Spend 1-2 days in Granada or in the Alpujarras before climbing, so that your body can adapt.
Get up early. Starting before dawn allows you to see the sunrise from the summit. Bring sun protection: radiation at altitude is very intense, even when it is cold.
Book in advance, especially if you are climbing on a weekend or during high season. And save an additional 2-3 days for the trails and villages of the Alpujarras Granadinas: the climb is only one part of the trip.
5. Montserrat Via Ferrata
The Montserrat Via Ferrata mixes hiking and climbing on the rocky massif, near Barcelona. You move along vertical walls with metal rungs, cables, and suspension bridges.
The full route has vertical sections, chains, staples, athletic passages, and a final chimney, with an explosive and physical character.
Book in advance if you want to do it with equipment and accompaniment. Plan for one day and choose a day without rain: wet rock makes the athletic passages difficult.
Practical tips
To do the Montserrat via ferrata, you need a harness, helmet, and energy absorber. If you do not have your own equipment, there is rental available.
If it is your first via ferrata, start with K2-K3 routes and consider hiring a professional guide. To avoid crowds, plan the activity during the week.
Montserrat Monastery can be reached by car, bus, train, cable car, and on foot.
Book in advance at picuco.com.
6. Circular Route Lago de la Ercina and Cañón de los Horridos — Picos de Europa
Two glacial lakes, Enol and Ercina, and a limestone canyon in the same walk. The circular route traverses the lakes, high mountain meadows and karst formations of the Picos de Europa.
It is one of the least crowded itineraries in the park: first-class alpine landscape without the crowds of other routes. Along the way, you have good opportunities to spot Pyrenean chamois, red deer and golden eagle.
Book a full day and get up early to park near the lakes. Bring water and warm clothing: at altitude the weather changes quickly.
Practical tips
From June to September you have the best time to walk around here, although the weather in Picos de Europa changes quickly: leave with a margin and check the forecast the same morning. Get up early and bring binoculars if you want to see wildlife.
In high season, private vehicles cannot go up to the Lagos de Covadonga. Leave the car and use the shuttle buses from Cangas de Onís.
For equipment, think about layers of technical clothing, a waterproof jacket and mountain footwear with good grip. It is necessary to book in advance.
Find hiking activities at Picuco
Are you looking for guided active tourism experiences in these areas? At Picuco you can find guided routes, organised treks and outdoor activities in the best nature destinations in Spain.
7. Ordesa Trails — The "Spanish Fitz Roy"
The Ordesa Valley has one of the most outstanding day hikes in Spain, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The itinerary traverses the bottom of the Arazas river canyon, between forests of European beech and fir, with waterfalls such as the Grada de Soaso and the Cola de Caballo at the end, in the Circo de Soaso.
The main route is relatively flat, so it works well for families and photographers. Plan for a full day and bring water and food: there is nowhere to restock inside the valley.
To get there, park for free on the outskirts of Torla and go up in the shuttle bus. The last bus back is at 20:15 in summer (maximum 21:30 in July and August). The Torla sector has a limit of 1,600 simultaneous visitors, so get up early in high season.
If you travel with a dog, keep it on a lead. On the shuttle bus, it travels in the hold inside a carrier, and potentially dangerous breeds must wear a short lead and a muzzle on the bus and in the park.
Practical tips
It is 17.5 km round trip, with 490 m of elevation gain and about 5 h 30 min. Start early to do it with time to spare.
During peak periods, access is regulated with a shuttle bus from Torla-Ordesa. In summer it operates from 6:00 to 20:00, with departures every 15-20 min. There is no online ticket sales: they are bought in person next to the Visitor Centre.
The best time is from late June to mid-September. Bring your camera for the Gradas de Soaso, the Estrecho waterfalls and the final panorama with Monte Perdido, at 3,355 metres altitude.
8. Caminito del Rey — Málaga
A wooden walkway hangs from the vertical walls of the Gaitanes Gorge, more than 100 metres above the Guadalhorce river. It is the Caminito del Rey, renovated and reopened in 2015, and today one of the most important tourist attractions in Andalusia.
The route is linear, about 8 km in total, and is mostly downhill. It does not require great physical fitness, but you must be free of vertigo. In the central sector, there is a section with a metal mesh floor that lets you see the void right beneath your feet.
Before booking, check the access rules:
- Children under 8 years old cannot enter; those aged 8 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult and carry an ID document.
- Large backpacks, bags, and bulky items are prohibited: only small backpacks are allowed.
- Crutches and walking sticks are also not permitted, including hiking poles.
- Entry is allowed with light rain, but umbrellas are prohibited and waterproof jackets are mandatory.
- Access may be closed for safety due to heavy rain or excessive wind.
Groups enter every 10 minutes, so it is advisable to be at the entrance 30 minutes beforehand. Book your ticket in advance, especially during high season.
Practical tips
Caminito del Rey tickets sell out weeks or months in advance, so book as soon as you have your date. Go early: there is less heat and fewer people on the path.
The route is linear and there is a shuttle bus that serves the access points near the Caminito del Rey, but it does not reach the town of Ardales. Allow 3-4 hours in total to walk the path.
Bring non-slip closed-toe footwear, water, and sun protection.
9. Peñalara Peak — Sierra de Guadarrama
Peñalara Peak (2,428 m) is the roof of the Sierra de Guadarrama and the highest summit in the Community of Madrid, just one hour from Madrid. It is part of the Peñalara Massif, along with four other summits of over 2,271 m.
The classic circular route starts from Puerto de Cotos and is well-signposted. It has glacial cirques and lagoons, so it gives you an accessible alpine experience without leaving the region.
It requires good physical fitness due to the elevation gain and rocky terrain, but it is ideal for starting out in high mountains. Allow a full day and bring water and warm clothing: the weather changes quickly at the summit.
Practical tips
In winter, the route requires mountaineering equipment, so assess your experience before considering it.
The Puerto de Cotos car park fills up quickly on weekends: arrive early or use public transport. During the week, the experience is much quieter.
You are in the high mountains even though it is close to Madrid. Bring layered clothing, trekking footwear, water, and a windbreaker. Book in advance.
10. Teide Ascent — Tenerife
Teide is the most visited National Park in Spain. The ascent is not technically complex, but the altitude requires good physical fitness.
You can do the full climb from the base or use the cable car for the final section. Book in advance if you want to go up by cable car and estimate the time based on the section you walk.
Practical tips
Climbing to the peak of Teide from the cable car station requires a free permit that must be requested online months in advance. Request that permit as soon as you have your dates, because demand is high.
Before climbing, spend some time in the park at a lower altitude to acclimatise. Also book your cable car tickets in advance.
In your backpack, carry plenty of water, high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and warm layers. Temperatures at the summit are very low even in summer.
11. Ruta de los Espejos — Picos de Europa
On calm days, the glacial lakes of the Ruta de los Espejos reflect the peaks like a mirror. The route is circular and passes by lakes with crystal-clear waters.
It is a route for experienced hikers looking for solitude and alpine landscapes. The elevation gain and navigation in alpine terrain require good physical condition and mountain experience: it is a demanding day.
Autumn is the recommended time to do it.
Practical tips
The Ruta de los Espejos is enjoyed in autumn. Outside of those months, snow and ice make it dangerous.
Carry a detailed map and GPS: some sections are not well signposted. Start early, because it is a long route that requires a full day.
During the week there is more solitude and better opportunities to spot wildlife. Book in advance.
12. Sendero Subterráneo del Soplao — Cantabria
Underground, in Cantabria, you walk 6 km between eccentric formations: it is the Sendero Subterráneo del Soplao. The karst cavity is still active and the visit is done wearing a helmet and headlamp.
The caving route lasts ~2.5 hours and is guided: you traverse virgin galleries with a guide. The terrain is irregular, with ramps that you have to climb and narrow passages, so you need normal physical condition.
There are age limits: children under 12 are not allowed, and those between 12 and 16 must be accompanied by an adult and sign a liability waiver. Bring your own gloves; it is mandatory for hygiene.
Access is via a 300-metre walk from the exterior station, as the train is out of service until further notice. Book the guided tour and allow 2.5 hours underground.
Practical tips
Inside the cave, the temperature stays between 12 and 14 °C all year round, so it works well as a plan for a rainy day. Wear mountain footwear and comfortable clothing: you will get stained with clay.
The helmet, headlamp and jumpsuit are provided there. Caving spots are very limited, so book in advance. If you prefer something calmer, there is an accessible tourist visit through illuminated galleries.
Quick comparison
Twelve routes, twelve different levels: this table helps you choose yours before looking at the details of each one.
| Route | Difficulty | Duration | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| GR11 — Pyrenean Path | Very high | 40-50 days or in sections | Experienced mountaineers |
| Cares Route | Moderate | 1 day | Hikers of any level |
| Camino de Santiago (French Way) | Moderate | 30-35 days or in sections | Pilgrimage and cultural immersion |
| Mulhacén + Alpujarras | Difficult | — | Introduction to high mountains |
| Montserrat Via Ferrata | Difficult-very difficult | Half day | Adventurers with technical equipment |
| Ercina Lake + Horridos Canyon | Moderate-difficult | — | Photographers and naturalists |
| Ordesa paths | Moderate | 1 day | Families and photographers |
| Caminito del Rey | Easy-moderate | 3-4 h | Tourists and families |
| Peñalara Peak | Moderate | — | Getaway from Madrid |
| Teide | Easy-moderate | 1 day | Tourists and photographers |
| Mirror Route | Difficult | — | Experienced hikers |
| Underground Soplao | Moderate | 2.5 h | Families and rainy days |
The terrain combines mountains, paths, dirt tracks and some sections of asphalt; the Napoléon route closes in winter and there is an alternative via Valcarlos. The last 100 km from Sarria entitles you to the Compostela.
Your next adventure starts here
Spain has hiking routes for all levels. It doesn't matter if you are looking for a short stroll or a multi-day trek: there is always a path that fits you.
Among the landscapes you will find in this selection are the Cares gorges, the volcanic landscapes of Teide and the ancient heritage of the Camino de Santiago. Each one requires a different pace and different preparation.
Read the twelve proposals, compare distances and elevation gains, and choose the one that best fits your free days and your fitness level. Afterwards, all that's left is to check the weather forecast and book your accommodation.
The essentials for planning
Before setting off, check the duration, the elevation gain, the optimal season and the current conditions of the route. A little bit of research saves you surprises on the way.
Equipment makes the difference: good footwear, layered clothing and enough water. In the mountains, the weather changes quickly, so always have a plan B.
Respect the fauna, the flora and the rural communities you pass through. The reward of hiking is in every step and in the connection with nature, not just at the summit.
Ready to plan? Find active tourism activities and experiences in the best natural destinations in Spain at Picuco.
