Spanish rural villages for active holidays: bases with river, rock and mountains

Aínsa, at the confluence of the Cinca and Ara rivers, serves as a starting point for hiking, cycling, mountaineering and skiing excursions. And Riaño brings together mountains, routes, rivers and reservoirs. These towns allow you to sleep in one place and have the activity just a step away.

Arriondas: canoeing on the Sella and viewpoints of the Picos de Europa

Arriondas belongs to the council of Parres, in Asturias, and has the Sella river as its great selling point. Descending the Sella from Arriondas is an activity for the whole family and friends. Picuco organises Guided canoeing on the Sella river from Arriondas, so you don't have to worry about the river logistics.

Potes: canyoning in the La Hermida Gorge and route to Lago Curavacas

Potes is situated at 291 m altitude and serves as a base for two very different plans. From here you can do the route to Lago Curavacas passing through the Puertos de Riofrío and the Puertos de Pineda, skirting the Carrión river from its source. Picuco organises Canyoning in the La Hermida Gorge, Potes for those who prefer water and rock.

Alquézar: canyoning in the Sierra de Guara from a village hanging from a cliff

The village of Alquézar literally hangs from a cliff, and that already gives you an idea of the terrain surrounding it. In its cobbled streets, the collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor, founded in 1099, the hanging bridge over the Vero river and stone houses coexist. Picuco organises Canyoning in the Sierra de Guara, Alquézar so that you can discover the canyons with a guide.

Aínsa: guided canyoning between the Ara and Cinca rivers

Aínsa is a medieval village in the Aragonese Pyrenees, in the Sobrarbe region (Huesca), with an old town declared a Historical-Artistic Site. Picuco organises Guided canyoning in Aínsa, Sobrarbe, Huesca to descend canyons safely.

Sort: rafting on the Noguera Pallaresa and gateway to the Alt Pirineu

Sort is the capital of the Pallars Sobirà region, in the province of Lleida, and the Noguera Pallaresa river borders it. The municipality has an extensive tourist tradition linked to outdoor activities, and is the gateway to the Alt Pirineu Natural Park. Picuco organises Rafting on the Noguera Pallaresa river between Llavorsí and Sort so that you can go down the river in a group.

Montanejos: multi-adventure pack between the limestone gorge and the Fuente de los Baños

Montanejos is in the Alto Mijares region, in the province of Castellón, and combines water and rock in a small space. The thermal spring Fuente de los Baños pours its waters into the Mijares river and creates natural pools that you can reach with a short walk. The village overlooks a limestone gorge, and Picuco organises the Aquatic and terrestrial multi-adventure pack in Montanejos to try several disciplines in a single day.

Riaño: route of the submerged villages and gateway to the Mampodre Regional Park

Riaño is in the province of León, and the landscape of its reservoir is one of the great attractions of the "new" Riaño. The old village lies beneath the waters of the reservoir, and the surroundings act as a gateway to the Riaño and Mampodre Mountain Regional Park, in the Cantabrian Mountains. Picuco organises the Route of the Submerged Villages of the Riaño Reservoir to travel through that history on the ground.

Grazalema: guided route through the Pinsapar in a limestone massif

Grazalema is located in the Sierra de Cádiz region, in Andalusia, and its massif offers a landscape of contrasting reliefs on limestone rocks. That geological history explains the shapes you see while walking through the mountains. Picuco organises the Guided route through the millennial Pinsapar in Grazalema to get to know the forest with a guide.

Cazorla: guided hiking in the Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park

Its cobbled streets, its castle and its viewpoints coexist with the rivers, forests and mountains of the Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. The environment brings together trails, waterfalls and mountain landscapes, and Picuco organises Guided hiking in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park to explore it on foot.

Frequently asked questions

Which towns in Spain serve as a base for canyoning?

Alquézar is the gateway to the Sierra de Guara, the most important canyoning destination in Europe. Picuco organises guided canyoning in Alquézar, in Aínsa and in the Desfiladero de La Hermida, near Potes.

In which towns can I go rafting or river descending?

In Arriondas, descending the Sella river is an activity for the whole family and friends, and Picuco organises the descent in a canoe with a guide. Sort is bordered by the Noguera Pallaresa river, and there Picuco organises rafting between Llavorsí and Sort.

Which rural getaway with adventure activities includes several disciplines?

Montanejos brings together the Fuente de los Baños thermal spring, which creates natural pools in the Mijares river that you reach with a short walk, and a limestone gorge. Picuco organises a multi-adventure day there that combines activities on water and on land.

What natural environment is there near these towns for active tourism?

Riaño is within the Montaña de Riaño y Mampodre Regional Park, in the Cordillera Cantábrica.