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
€659
7 days
ex flights
Picos inn to inn walking vacation in Spain
Hike through beautiful mountains staying in rural inns
From
£1295
8 days
ex flights
Las Alpujarras hiking vacation, Spain
Guided walking vacation, Andalucia, with writer Chris Stewart
From
€1295
8 days
ex flights
Catalonia self guided walking vacations, Spain
Self-guided walking vacations in Catalonia
From
€715 to €799
8 days
ex flights
Gran Canaria walking tours, Canary Islands
This unique volcanic island reveals unexpected variety
From
US $1070 to US $1280
8 days
ex flights
Extremadura hiking vacation, Spain
Finca al-manzil collection of splendid walking routes
From
€400
7 days
ex flights
Catalonia walking & food tour, Spain
Enjoy varied landscapes & sample local food & wine.
From
€899 to €959
7 days
ex flights
Spanish Pyrenees guided walking vacation
Guided Walking in the Ordesa National Park, Spanish Pyrenees
From
€1350
8 days
ex flights
Andalucia self guided walking vacation, Spain
Moderate walking in foothills of Olive and Almond groves
From
£350
7 days
per accommodation
Picos mountains walking vacation in Spain
Spectacular range of limestone peaks, ridges and valleys
From
US $1449 to US $1549
8 days
ex flights
Walking in Andalucia, Spain
Guided hill walking vacations in Torrox, Andalucia.
From
£820
8 days
ex flights
Alicante self guided walking vacation
Trekking through beautiful mountainous countryside
From
€740
8 days
ex flights
Walking vacation in Grazalema, Andalucia, Spain
Flowers, wildlife,Eagles, guided walks,stunning scenery.
From
£895
8 days
ex flights
Cooking and walking vacation, Spanish Pyrenees
A gastronomical experience in the Spanish Pyrenees
From
€1395
8 days
ex flights
Learn Spanish & hike the Camino de Santiago, Spain
Spanish Course + walking in the Camino del Norte
From
€699
7 days
ex flights
Canary Islands walking vacation
Visit Teide volcano and walk through the Garajonay Forest
From
US $1320 to US $1350
8 days
ex flights
Las Alpujarras guided hiking vacation, Spain
Fabulous guided hiking vacation, Sierra Nevada, Andalucia
From
€735
8 days
ex flights
Walking vacation in Alicante
Explore beautiful countryside on foot in Mediterranean Spain
From
€340
8 days
ex flights
Sierra Nevada self guided hiking, Spain
Sierra Nevada and Las Alpujarras self guided hiking
From
€385 to €615
8 days
ex flights
Leon to Santiago de Compostela hiking vacation, Spain
15 days on the most popular Camino from León to Santiago.
From
€875
15 days
ex flights
Mallorca walking vacation in the Balearic Islands, Spain
Tranquil and timeless landscape dotted with mediaeval villages
From
US $1549 to US $1649
8 days
ex flights
Grazalema self guided hiking vacation, Spain
Self guided hiking vacation in Grazalema, Andalucia, Spain
From
€385 to €615
8 days
ex flights
Southern Spain self guided walking tour
Discover Green Andalucía on foot
From
€560
8 days
ex flights
Sarria to Santiago de Compostela walking tour, Spain
9 days on the popular pilgrimage route - Sarria to Santiago
From
€675
9 days
ex flights
Walking in Andalucia, Spain
The olive groves and rugged hills of Andalucia
From
US $1879 to US $1979
8 days
ex flights
Gran Canaria hiking vacation
A spectacular journey hiking across Gran Canaria
From
US $1189 to US $1319
8 days
ex flights
Yoga & walking vacation in Spain
Get out & about in lovely sunshine & stunning scenery.
From
£795 to £815
6 days
ex flights
Andalucia walking & self drive vacation, Spain
Self drive, mountains, cities and walking in Andalucia
From
£2268
14 days
ex flights
Catalonia center based walking vacation, Spain
Self guided walking vacation in Catalonia
From
€925 to €1070
8 days
ex flights
Andalucia self guided hiking, Spain
Self guided hiking with unique cave house accommodation
From
£500 to £800
7 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
SAFETY
Our top Spain walking Vacation
Picos inn to inn walking vacation in Spain
Hike through beautiful mountains staying in rural inns
From
£1295
8 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
May to October departures
May to October departures
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Spain walking or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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.
There are infinite Spain walking vacation activities and if you’re hoping to discover just a taste of the good life then why not stroll through Espanol, walk in the shadows of the past or walk up an appetite, just for starters.
The top walking vacations in Spain that we recommend all stem from tried and tested regions, such as: Andalucia, Catalonia, Camino de Santiago and Picos de Europa.
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.
Put the Costas in your rear-view and swap your espadrilles for hiking boots.
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.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Mathew MacQuarrie] [Packing advice: alexey turenkov]
[Language tips: Tatinauk]
[Health & safety: Kitty Terwolbeck]
[Review 1: Torpe]
[Review 2: Marcus Hansson]
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