Walking holidays in Spain
The vast and varied landscape of Spain offers some amazing walking holiday opportunities. From high up in the mountains of the Sierra Navada, where snow capped mountains can be seen for most of the year, through to the lakes and winery covered slopes of Galicia, there are truly stunning walks. Below we’ve highlighted some of the great places to stay for walking holidays in Spain which are part of Further Afield, so you’re guaranteed a great welcome as well as a great walk. Just remember that it gets pretty warm in some of the areas we talk about during summer and cold in winter, so it’s always worth chatting to your inclusive and friendly hosts first when planning your trip.
Molino Rio Alajar, Huelva
These beautifully designed holiday cottages nestle in the cork forests of Huelva, with great walking straight from the front door. There’s also cycling options, plus you’ve a pool and tennis court on site. Further away you’ve the Doñana National Park to explore.
Walking routes: Peter and Monica have great walks on their site, one of which is The Gorge Walk which includes a river swim for a cool down!
Getting there: Fly to Seville and it’s an hour and a half’s drive
El Gran Sueño, Asturias
This adult only B&B in Asturias is owned and managed by Dave and Javier, marvellous hosts with an indepth knowledge and true love of the region and they’re only to happy to share the love! Within an hour you can be in the area’s national parks or on the coast should you wish, or simply experience the walks in the immediate area.
Check out the special offer we’ve created for a stay at El Gran Sueño and Casa de Cabaza
Walking routes: Dave and Javier have saved some of their favourite local circular routes on to an app for smartphone use – how helpful is that! Check it out on their website here.
Getting there: Fly to Santander and then it’s a two hour drive
Finca el Cerrillo, Andalucia
600 metres above sea level, with some stunning views, is this converted Spanish olive mill, now a boutique B&B is the perfect location for exploring this area by foot. Should you decide you’d rather not then the Finca has beautiful communal area, grounds and pool and offers the ideal sanctuary whatever your plan.
Walking routes: Sue and Gordon have 14 different routes which the share with guests, the majority of which don’t require transport other than Shanks’ Pony.
Getting there: Fly to Malaga from which it’s an hour or Granada from which it’s two.
Cortijo Opazo, Sierra Nevada
There are few places on earth as beautiful as the Alpujarras on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada National Park, and few places better located for your to make the most of them. Stay in one of the self catering apartments or in the Yurt and spend your days exploring the myriad of routes available, or simply soak up the views from the amazing gardens which Robert and William have created.
Walking routes: The guys have created a very special week of walking in the Alpujarras, where your itinerary is planned and routes provided. You just need to book a flight! Check out all the details on their website.
Getting there: Fly to Granada which is an hour and a half. You can also look at Malaga and Almeria if you’re happy to drive a bit further.
Casa da Cabaza, Galicia
On the shores of a beautiful lake is this boutique B&B in Galicia, perfect for walking holidays as well as an ideal base to explore this corner of Northern Spain. The famous pilgrim’s route passes close by on its way to Santiago de Compostela, but for those less dedicated there are less challenging routes nearby through the forests and lakeland that make this area so unique and beautiful.
Check out the special offer we’ve created for a stay at El Gran Sueño and Casa de Cabaza
Walking routes: The nearby Sierra do Courel offers amazing scenery as well as quaint and undiscovered hilltop towns and remote churches.
Getting there: Fly to Santiago de Compostela or Vigo both of which are two hours.
Almohalla 51, Andalucia
In the little know, but rather lovely Spanish town of Archidona, is this small boutique B&B in Andalucia. With just five rooms and its plunge pool and terrace it’s a great place to escape to, but it’s also smack in the middle of some great walking country.
Walking routes: Less than hour way you have two great options: the beautiful routes as part of the El Torcal national park or the Lessing taxing but more famous El Caminito del Rey (find out more about there here)
Getting there: Fly to Malaga (less than an hour), Granada or, slightly further away, Seville.
Almijara Residence, Malaga
This rather natty little B&B in the hills behind Malaga is the ideal place to base yourself whilst exploring the region’s grid of walking routes. Overlooking the village square in Cómpeta, a true Pueblo Blanco’, it has great eateries and bars on the doorstep at which to refuel and the views from the terrace with its honesty bar are magnificent.
Walking routes: From the village there are several walks into the surrounding hills, taking in neighbouring villages, or head further into the Arquixia region for more mountainous terrain.
Getting there: You can head up from Malaga by car or bus in less than an hour
