Walking in Spain travel tips
Packing advice
Victoria Fellows, from Walk Andalucia, shares her tips for walking in Spain:
“A light, cotton pashmina/sarong is a great item to keep in a rucksack. It can be used to keep sun off the neck and arms. Keep arms warm if the wind picks up. Something to sit on when resting or eating. It can be wetted in a stream if the weather is very hot. The terrain in southern Spain is very hard and rocky due to the lack of rain. Walking poles are a good idea as they provide extra support and if used correctly can help prevent fatigue.”
“A light, cotton pashmina/sarong is a great item to keep in a rucksack. It can be used to keep sun off the neck and arms. Keep arms warm if the wind picks up. Something to sit on when resting or eating. It can be wetted in a stream if the weather is very hot. The terrain in southern Spain is very hard and rocky due to the lack of rain. Walking poles are a good idea as they provide extra support and if used correctly can help prevent fatigue.”
Ana Rodríguez García, from Peak Me walking and language school, shares her tips on what to put in your daypack: “A bocadillo de queso picón (rustic cheese sandwich), empanada (like a Cornish pasty) and borona (corn flour stuffed with chorizo), are great for a hiker's backpack as they're compact foods with lots of tasty, fatty goodness to restore energy levels.”
Marta Marinelli, from our tour partners Exodus, shares her tips for walking in Spain:
“I would recommend booking a guided tour if you are planning to take more challenging and remote routes. If you go for some self-guided walking on easy trails, make sure you have a good map and a mobile phone with you!”
“I would recommend booking a guided tour if you are planning to take more challenging and remote routes. If you go for some self-guided walking on easy trails, make sure you have a good map and a mobile phone with you!”
Our Spain walking Vacations
Spanish course & hiking vacation, Picos de Europa, Spain
Spanish classes + stunning hikes in Picos de Europa
From
€830
5 days
ex flights
Spanish Pyrenees guided walking vacation
Guided Walking in the Ordesa National Park, Spanish Pyrenees
From
€1395 to €1595
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
Sierra de Aitana walking vacation in Andalucia, Spain
Magnificent trek with views over the sparkling Mediterranean
From
US $1649 to US $2049
8 days
ex flights
Catalonia walking & food tour, Spain
Enjoy varied landscapes & sample local food & wine.
From
€1037 to €1106
7 days
ex flights
Catalonia self guided walking vacations, Spain
Self-guided walking vacations in Catalonia
From
€739 to €887
8 days
ex flights
Language tips
Ana Rodríguez García, from Peak Me walking and language school:
As northern Spain is sparsely populated with few tourists it's easy to practise the language when you visit a village either en-route or at the end of a day's walk. Every mountain village will have a shop, restaurant and pub so get chatting to local people about the weather as they'll be happy to give you their own personal forecast.
As northern Spain is sparsely populated with few tourists it's easy to practise the language when you visit a village either en-route or at the end of a day's walk. Every mountain village will have a shop, restaurant and pub so get chatting to local people about the weather as they'll be happy to give you their own personal forecast.
Health & safety
HEALTH
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Our top Spain walking Vacation
Spanish course & hiking vacation, Picos de Europa, Spain
Spanish classes + stunning hikes in Picos de Europa
From
€830
5 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct
2023: 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct
Travel Team
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Tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful walking in Spain travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful walking in Spain travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
Good walking boots, a reasonable level of fitness, an appreciation of the environment and a spirit of adventure. Be prepared to go with the flow.![]()
- Joy Field, walking in Las Alpujarras
“My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our week in Andalucia. It's the first time we'd gone on vacation with a relatively small company and we really appreciated the greater flexibility of traveling this way.” – Sibyl Ruth, walking in Las Alpujarras
“Come with an open mind, be realistic about your abilities (especially given the nice hot weather) and be prepared to 'try out' your Spanish!” – John Freeman, walking in Andalucía
“Be prepared to take things as you find them, relax and enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere of the town. The people here are so friendly, and you should try and engage with them as much as possible to add to your experience.” – Martin Graham, walking and languages in Picos de Europa
“The walks can be adapted to your wishes and abilities, as can the Spanish of course. Take a travel kettle if you need cups of tea!” – Rebecca T, walking and languages in Picos de Europa
“Come with an open mind, be realistic about your abilities (especially given the nice hot weather) and be prepared to 'try out' your Spanish!” – John Freeman, walking in Andalucía
“Be prepared to take things as you find them, relax and enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere of the town. The people here are so friendly, and you should try and engage with them as much as possible to add to your experience.” – Martin Graham, walking and languages in Picos de Europa
“The walks can be adapted to your wishes and abilities, as can the Spanish of course. Take a travel kettle if you need cups of tea!” – Rebecca T, walking and languages in Picos de Europa
Be prepared for very variable temperatures and weather conditions - as you would expect in any mountain region.![]()
- John & Meg Tyler, walking in Andalucia
More about Spain walking
The best time to go walking in Spain depends whether you’re considering Catalonia, the Picos de Europa or Andalucia.
Step inside our walking Spain travel guide and you’ll get to experience walking vacations in Spain advice based on what Responsible Travel recommends so you can discover whether a walking vacation in Spain is for you.
Packing a walking vacations map is essential for finding Spain walking vacation highlights with everywhere from the Basque Country to the Balearics, mentioned further on this page.
Put the Costas in your rear-view and swap your espadrilles for hiking boots.
Catalonia walking vacations reveal stunning Balearic views on less visited stretches of the Costa Brava , head inland through national parks or into more hilly areas as you reach the Pyrenees.
The Picos de Europa region in northern Spain is an area where walking and talking are part of the landscape, so imagine being able to walk with a native Spanish speaker after a morning of Spanish language lessons.
Responsible walking vacations in Spain start with responsible travelers and if you want to know how to walk the walk and how to avoid getting into trouble then read to find the best route possible to responsible tourism tips and advice from the experts.
