Spain for
Outdoor Activities
Blessed with a spectacular coastline and magnificent mountains, every corner of Spain offers a wealth of outdoor activities. Snorkel in the Med, surf Atlantic rollers, snowboard in the Sierra Nevada, go canyoning in the Pyrenees or walk the famed Camino de Santiago: the choice is yours.
t Walking through verdant countryside on the Camino de Santiago
Walk This Way
From gentle coastal trails to the remote paths of the Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa, a host of dramatic and well-marked hikes pepper the country. There are more than a hundred long-distance GR (Gran Recorrido) routes, including the stunning GR11 which tracks the whole breadth of the Pyrenees, the GR92 which runs down the Catalan coast and the GR7 spanning Tarifa to Andorra. Then, of course, there is the Camino de Santiago. Follow the snaking route, stopping off at Northern Spain’s most religious sites until you reach Santiago de Compostela’s imposing cathedral.
Adrenaline Adventures
Looking to get your adrenaline pumping? As Europe’s second-most-mountainous country, climbing and canyoning are natural sports here. Paddle in Spain offers a range of thrills, including whitewater rafting and paragliding (www.paddleinspain.com). And if you like the view from above, skydive with Skydive Spain (www.skydivespain.com).
Hit the Slopes
It may seem surprising for a country renowned for its sun and sand, but snowbunnies are spoilt for choice when it comes to Spanish ski resorts. Most are located in the Pyrenees, including chichi Baqueira-Beret, family-favourite La Molina and budget-friendly El Formigal. But the highest resort is in Andalucía’s Sierra Nevada, where you can ski in the morning and take a dip in the Med in the afternoon. Atudem offers a comprehensive list of resorts (www.atudem.es).
Water You Waiting For?
Framed by the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, Spain rewards exploration in a gleaming yacht with billowing sails. But if this all sounds far too gentle, why not brave the swell in the Basque Country? Learn to ride the waves with Mundaka Surf Shop (mundakasurfshop.com/surf-school).
Wild Things
Spain’s national parks and nature reserves shelter a wide range of wildlife. The Parque Nacional de Doñana is home to the Iberian lynx; the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian mountains shelter brown bears; and the Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes is a refuge for the bearded vulture. Venture out of the towns and see how many of these elusive feathered and furry friends you can spot.