Walking holidays in Spain are a great way to see the country and experience things that no other holiday can provide. The thing that has changed recently is that a lot of people are now taking walking holidays in Spain, that would never have considered a walking holiday a couple of years ago. This years walking enthusiast, could well have been last years beach bum.
This growth in the number of novice walkers, has lead to an increase in the number of guesthouses and hotels in Spain, that organise guided walks, to suit all ages and abilities. So the only problem is where to visit.
What I have decided to do is pick a couple of regions of Spain that I have visited and see where it goes from there. As I said in my last post, the only reason I am talking about walking holidays in Spain is because of an email I received. Therefore, if I am to write more posts on; walking, trekking, or hiking holidays, I need to see how much interest there is. Anyway, I promised to give you some details so here goes.
Asturias
Asturias is a region in the north of Spain and is a walking enthusiasts paradise. This part of Spain is mountainous and heavily wooded which combine to make some of the most stunning scenery you will see anywhere, a beautiful destination for any holiday.
The two major towns in the region are Oviedo and Gijon. If you go to Gijon in August make sure you check out the cider festival, remember to bring your favourite hang over cure.
Cider and not wine is the preferred drink in this part of Spain. As for the food, what can I say except delicious. You might be surprised to find that the food has more in common with northern cuisine than Mediterranean. The food is hearty, which probably has something to do with the terrain and lifestyle of the people. Believe me you will be glad to sit down to a plate Fabada Asturiana (stew) after a long walk.
Catalonia
I couldn't talk about walking holidays in Spain and not talk about Catalonia, after all Estartit (the main subject of this site) is a Catalonian town.
If walking up and down mountains is not for you, then this region of Spain could well be what you're looking for as long as you stay in the south of the region.
Catalonia sweeps down from the Pyrenees and along the east coast. Probably most famous for its rugged coastline and sandy beaches, this area has long been popular with tourists. The Costa Brava, Costa Tropical, Costa Daurada, and the Costa del Garraf, are well known to the package holidaymaker, but there is so much more to be discovered if you travel a little inland.
Things To Check Out
I thought I would share some of my favourite places to visit in the region. If you enjoy history then you really must make time to visit the Roman ruins at Tarragona, and the monastery of Montserrat.
For art and architecture lovers the Dali museum in Figueres and the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona are both worth checking out.
Festivals are a big part of Spanish life, and are a topic all on there own, but there is one festival that is celebrated in every town and village, and that is the midsummer's eve festival, a real fun time in every town.
Walking holidays are not all about walking, but it is the main constituent of the holiday. For a successful walking holiday you will need a good trail to follow, which takes in places of interest and variety of views. A walking holiday in Spain is no different and that will be the topic of my next post.
If you are going on a walking holiday in Spain, or have just come back, please let me know. I will post the next article again soon, for now thank you for reading Walking Holidays Spain | Walks In Spain