The Best Outdoor Adventures in Spain

The Best Outdoor Adventures in Spain.

If you like outdoor adventures, Spain has lots of options. We’ve lived in Spain for 4 years now – in that time we’ve explored much of the country’s diverse geography. If you’re a hiker, cyclist or water sports enthusiast you’ll never be bored.

In this post we’ll cover the best outdoor adventures in Spain along with the best places to do them. We’ll highlight places such as the Picos de Europa, the Sierra Nevada, the Via Verdes, the famous Caminito del Rey, the coast of Cadiz province and the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands.

How to stay connected in Spain? If staying somewhere a month you can get a local plan (we have one with Vodafone). But if you’re travelling from country to country, you might consider an eSim card from Yesim.app. One of the advantages to a Yesim eSim card is that you can buy eSim cards by region. A European eSim for example covers 33 countries, giving you uninterrupted coverage wherever you go. I´ll write more about the advantages of an eSim at the bottom of this post.

Hiking in Spain

Spain has great hiking almost everywhere, from the mountains of the Pyrenees to the famous Camino de Santiago, you have different options depending on the geography and difficulty you want to experience.

The Camino de Santiago is one of the most famous routes in the world, a pilgrimage route that leads to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Though not technically difficult, it is gruelling – a 5 week journey, 800 km long trek from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees all the way to the Northwest coast of Spain (there are a multitude of ways of doing it…but this is the ´French Way´, the most famous of the Camino routes).
La Ruta del Cares is a highlight of the Picos de Europa National Park. Spectacular, it follows a gorge carved by the River Cares through the mountains. An easy hike of 12 km.
The Caminito del Rey is one of the most famous hikes in Spain. Situated in Andalusia, it follows a raised platform through a sheer rock canyon. An easy 7.7 km hike but not for those who have an aversion to heights. More here on the Caminito del Rey.

Mulhacen, in the Sierra Nevada near Granada. The highest mountain on mainland Spain at 3,479m (and the highest mountain on the Iberian peninsula). Many people do it over two days, staying in a refuge roughly mid-way up the mountain and completing the climb to the summit the next morning. But the adventurous can do this hike in about 10 hours roundtrip. A long, hard hike but not technically difficult.
Alternatively, La Maroma is the highest peak in Malaga province (2,069m). Great views: near the peak is a cliff’s edge which looks straight down. It’s like peering over the edge of the earth. A 6 hr roundtrip, not technically hard.
El Torcal de Antequera is known for some of the most dramatic karst geography in Europe. And it’s easy hiking for those who don’t like to hike as you can drive to the top of the mountain. There you have long and short hiking trails through the unusual rock formations. It’s more of a stroll than a hike. Along the way you´ll see Iberian Ibex and great views that extend all the way to the Costa del Sol. More on the Torcal de Antequera.
The Canary Islands have a different kind of beauty than mainland Spain and even there, the islands themselves are very different. Mount Teide, on the island of Tenerife, is one of the highest volcanoes in the world (3,718 m). It can be hiked with the help of a cable car that takes you up to the base station. The island of Lanzarote, with its red earth and active volcanoes, has numerous dramatic hikes. Likewise, the islands of Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro are also all special in their own way. The Best hikes on the Canary Islands.

You can always find a great hike in Spain, it is a country filled with mountains and natural parks. The above are just a few of many.

The landscapes of El Torcal de Antequera

Cycling in Spain

Spain has many great trails for cyclists ranging from the flat terrains of the coastline to the mountains of the interior.

´Via Verdes´ are old rail routes that have been converted into cycling trails. Since 1993 Spain has converted approximately 7,600 km of old train lines into about 135 cycling trails throughout the country. It’s a great way to explore the country. 6 of Spain’s best Via Verdes.

Catalonia is the best spot in the country for biking and the city of Girona is considered by many the cycling capital of Europe. Riding is the perfect mix of flat, rolling countryside and some challenging climbs in the foothills of the Pyrenees. A few famous routes: Rocacorba, Els Àngels, Mare de Deu del Mont. All very challenging and full of scenic views.
The TransAndalus is a 2,000-kilometer bike route that makes a perfect loop through Andalusia. Conceived as a way to get to know Andalusia’s eight provinces by bike, from the volcanic landscapes of Cabo de Gata, in Almeria, down to the wetlands of Doñana, in Huelva.

More resources: The Top 10 Cycling destinations in Spain.

You’ll need internet coverage when cycling. The TransAndalus route for example uses GPS technology. I’ve previously mentioned getting an eSim – vital if cycling through Spain’s countryside.

Water Sports in Spain

Spain has more than 5000 km of coastline so it’s heaven for those who love water activities.

Snorkelling: Menorca and Tenerife are known as the best places for snorkelling in Spain due to marine biodiversity, vibrant reefs and crystalline waters. The cove of Cala Galdana is recommended if in Menorca. In Tenerife, you have colourful marine life coupled with black volcanic sands. Playa de Las Teresitas and Los Gigantes are recommended.
Diving: Mallorca and Lanzarote are great destinations. In Mallorca you have clear waters, abundant sea life as well as several sunken ships. In Lanzarote (Canary Islands), you’ll see different sea life than the Mediterranean and will spot seahorses, angelfish, parrotfish and barracudas and groupers.
Surfing. Tarifa is known for its winds which make it the southern capital for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and many other extreme activities. In the north, San Lorenzo in Gijón (Asturias) is one of Spain`s best surfing beaches.

A last word about Connectivity with eSIM Technology

Connectivity is essential when doing outdoor adventures. I’ve mentioned some of the advantages of an eSim card, specifically connectivity for GPS and for the convenience of having Europe-wide coverage under one plan. If you’re a travelling and spending a week in one country (like Spain), then a week in another country, getting a regional eSim card is the most cost-effective and least troublesome way of maintaining connectivity.

A few other advantages: it’s easy to activate (there’s no physical SIM card required), you can download the service (you don’t have to go to a store), you can manage your mobile plans with flexibility when travelling from region to region. It`s worth getting.