Responsible walking in Spain
There are several regions of inland and coastal Spain that see nothing like the tourist numbers reached in more popular resorts and city centers. Although this might be seen as a blessing it’s also something of a curse as without the influx of visitors there’s a distinct lack of jobs, especially for young people. Lesser-known areas of Spain regularly lose their young people to cities both at home and abroad with traditional farming methods not enough to keep them within local communities. Without year round jobs, healthy local economies and young people, remote Spanish towns and villages may not survive long past the next generation.
What you can do
Going on walking vacations in rural Spain is just one way that you can help to buck the trend. Lesser-visited areas of the Picos, Catalonia, Burgos and Sierra Nevada provide year-round accommodation close to walking routes as well as local restaurants, bars and shops.
Adding other activities to a walking tour, such as cookery classes, language lessons and history tours, will give you a much better understanding of an area as well as providing sustainable employment to help make a difference throughout the rest of the year.
Look for Spain walking vacations on the Responsible Travel website and find out where else might appeal to you rather than relying on the familiarity of more popular resorts.
What you can do
Going on walking vacations in rural Spain is just one way that you can help to buck the trend. Lesser-visited areas of the Picos, Catalonia, Burgos and Sierra Nevada provide year-round accommodation close to walking routes as well as local restaurants, bars and shops.
Adding other activities to a walking tour, such as cookery classes, language lessons and history tours, will give you a much better understanding of an area as well as providing sustainable employment to help make a difference throughout the rest of the year.
Look for Spain walking vacations on the Responsible Travel website and find out where else might appeal to you rather than relying on the familiarity of more popular resorts.
Getting into trouble
If you are embarking on an unaccompanied walking vacation in Spain then it’s up to you to do your homework when it comes to routes and what to add to your backpack. Responsible travel more than caring about the environment, it means being sensible too; and if you’re walking in Basque Country or Catalonia then you need to know that calling out the rescue services due to negligence on your part may result in a hefty bill.What you can do
Our Spain walking Vacations
Spanish course & hiking vacation, Picos de Europa, Spain
Spanish classes + stunning hikes in Picos de Europa
From
€830 to €965
5 days
ex flights
Catalonia self guided walking vacations, Spain
Self-guided walking vacations in Catalonia
From
€739 to €887
8 days
ex flights
Las Alpujarras hiking vacation, Spain
Guided walking vacation, Andalucia, with writer Chris Stewart
From
€1395
8 days
ex flights
Andalucian mountains self-guided walking vacation, Spain
Self-guided walking in the Spanish Lake District
From
€350
7 days
ex flights
Spanish Pyrenees guided walking vacation
Guided Walking in the Ordesa National Park, Spanish Pyrenees
From
€1495
8 days
ex flights
Catalonia walking & food tour, Spain
Enjoy varied landscapes & sample local food & wine.
From
€1037 to €1106
7 days
ex flights