The Best Day Hikes To Take In Spain

Spain is full of epic hiking routes that run the length and breadth of the country, but these can take weeks or maybe months to complete. If you don’t have the time or the inclination, then here’s our picks for the best day hikes in Spain.

Caminito del Rey

Located in the province of Malaga, the Caminito del Rey was once famous for being the world’s scariest hike – a pathway clinging to the sheer rock face, pockmarked with broken stairs, missing pieces of pathway, damaged handrails and vertical drops. However, after a major refurbishment project which was completed in 2016, it is now completely safe, whilst still offering spectacular views. The route runs from the town of Ardales and ends in Álora and is almost 8 km (5 miles) in length.

La Ruta del Salto del Cabrero

GR92 Calella de Palafrugell to Palamós

The GR92 is the 822 km (511 mile) hiking route that runs from the French border all the way down the coast of the Costa Brava. Although the whole route takes more than a month to complete, one of the most picturesque parts of the path – between Calella de Palafrugell and Palamós – can be done in a day. This part is approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) long and passes some of the prettiest beaches, hidden coves and inlets along the coast, including the fabulous Platja Del Castell Palamós, as seen below.

Camí de Cavalls – Cap de Favaritx to Arenal d’en Castell

The Camí de Cavalls is the trail that runs around the entire circumference of the island of Menorca, in the Balearics. An ancient pathway, it measures 185 km (115 miles) and is one of the best ways to discover this magical island. One of the most rewarding parts of the walk runs from the Cap de Favaritx lighthouse to the beach at Arenal d’en Castell. This section of the trail measures 13.6 km (8.5 miles) long and comprises of rocky coastline, small beaches and green pastures.

GR99 Miranda del Ebro to Haro

The GR99 runs all the way along the Ebro River Valley, beginning in Cantabria and ending in Tarragona at the Mediterranean Sea. One of the best parts of the trail starts in the town of Miranda del Ebro in Castilla y León and continues until the town of Haro in La Rioja’s wine country. 21.5 km (13.4 miles) in length, it takes around five hours to complete. At the end, why not reward yourself with a glass of red at one of Haro’s best wineries?

Ruta del Cares

The famous Ruta del Cares lies within the great Picos de Europa National Park and runs alongside Cares River. Nicknamed ‘the Divine Gorge’, the small narrow pathway drops steeply to one side, offering dramatic views of the ravine below. 12 km (7.5 miles) long in total, it begins in Poncebos in Asturias and ends in Caín in León.

Hiking in the Picos de Europa National Park, Spain

GR7 Tarifa to Parque Natural de los Alcornocales

The GR7 is another of Spain’s epic hiking routes. It starts in the town of Tarifa, known for its water sports such as windsurfing and kite boarding, and runs all the way up to Andorra. Of course if you don’t feel like walking the whole 4,000 km (2,485 miles), then a day hike from Tarifa to the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales is the perfect part. Starting next to the windswept beaches, you’ll pass into the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, dotted with beautiful cork forests. There’s no final ending point to this route, so you can just walk until you feel tired.

Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, Spain

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.