Incredible adventures await in Spain’s outdoor paradise

With soaring mountains in the north and south, sprawling plains and olive groves in the interior, and stunning beaches along the Atlantic and Mediterranean, Spain’s varied landscapes provide limitless opportunities for outdoor excitement.

Hikers flock to the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, and Sierra Nevada, traverse a variety of coastal and forest trails, or join fellow pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Rock climbers scale challenging cliffs in Catalonia and Andalucía, while adrenaline seekers paraglide over mountain summits or navigate river canyons. Windsurfers, kitesurfers, and wingboarders gravitate towards Andalucía’s Costa de la Luz and the Canary Islands, while surfers enjoy secluded spots along Galicia’s rugged coast. Throughout Spain, cyclists explore peaceful backroads and off-road trails, unveiling the country’s remarkable scenery.

Regardless of your adventure level, Spain has an outdoor experience waiting for you. Here are some top picks:

Hiking

Spain, the second-most mountainous country in Europe, is celebrated for its incredible hiking trails that weave through its varied landscapes, from the alpine meadows of the Pyrenees to the rugged peaks of the Picos de Europa, and the stunning coastal cliffs and sandy beaches of Andalucía's Cabo de Gata.

Adventurers aiming for peaks can challenge themselves on Andalucía's Mulhacén (11,400 feet) – the highest point on mainland Spain – or Monte Perdido (11,000 feet) in the Pyrenees. For those looking for extended hikes, the 125-mile Camiño dos Faros trail along the dramatic Costa da Morte (Death Coast), the breathtaking GR11 (Senda Pirenáica) linking the Atlantic at Hondarribia in the Basque Country to the Mediterranean at Cap de Creus in Catalonia, the 70-mile Anillo de Picos around the scenic highlights of the Picos de Europa, or the remarkable high-altitude GR 240 in the Sierra Nevada are all excellent options, featuring treks between mountain huts (refugios).

Also notable is the renowned Camino de Santiago (or Camino Francés), a historic pilgrimage route stretching 490 miles to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia.

Some of the finest day hikes in Spain can be discovered along the Camí de Ronda on the Costa Brava, in Almería's Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar, among the cork-oak forests of Andalucía's Sierra de Aracena, and within the volcanic terrain of Catalonia's Parc Natural de la Garrotxa.

Above and below the waves

The legendary winds of Tarifa, Spain’s southernmost point, include the milder, cooler poniente (west wind) and the strong, warm levante (east wind) from Africa, making it a premier destination for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling, especially from April to October. Further up the Costa de la Luz, Los Caños de Meca offers a more tranquil kitesurfing experience, while kitesurfers elsewhere in Spain find great conditions in Empuriabrava, Delta de L’Ebre, and Castelldefels in Catalonia, as well as in Murcia’s Mar Menor.

Spain’s northern coast provides fantastic surfing opportunities for both novices and seasoned surfers. Notable spots include the Mundaka river break in the Basque Country, Playa Rodiles in Asturias, and Playas de Somo and Liencres in Cantabria. Galicia’s Atlantic coast also shines, offering isolated breaks along the perilous reefs of the Costa da Morte and Praia de Pantín in the Rías Altas. Further south, El Palmar, located just northwest of Cabo de Trafalgar, is the standout among Andalucía’s winter beach breaks.

The Canary Islands are a hotspot for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, with numerous schools available for lessons and equipment rentals along the breezier coasts. Beginners can enjoy the gentle sandy beach breaks of Fuerteventura, while more experienced surfers may seek the powerful reef breaks of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.

Andalucia’s coastline, along with Catalonia’s Costa Brava and Santander in Cantabria, offers abundant spots for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).

Underwater, there’s even more to discover. The Canary Islands’ rich marine life and warm, relatively calm waters make it an ideal location for diving and snorkeling. The stunning volcanic coast features exquisite rock formations and caves, with about 350 fish species and 600 types of algae. In Andalucía, the premier diving and snorkeling experiences are found around Cabo de Gata, where the marine reserve’s posidonia seagrass meadows, the El Vapor wreck, caverns, and canyons attract eagle rays, sunfish, moray and conger eels, grouper, angelfish, and barracuda.

Cabo de Palos marks the southern edge of Murcia’s Mar Menor saltwater lagoon and serves as the gateway to the Islas Hormigas marine reserve, renowned for its excellent reef and wreck diving sites. Located off the Costa Brava in Catalonia, Palamós provides access to the Boreas shipwreck, abundant with octopuses and spiny lobsters. However, the true gem of Costa Brava is the protected Islas Medes, accessible from l’Estartit, featuring a plethora of underwater caves and swim-through tunnels adorned with sponges and sea fans.

Watersports are not limited to the coasts; Spain boasts hundreds of serene rivers perfect for kayaking and canoeing, including the Sella in Asturias and the Deva in Cantabria.

For those seeking adventure, Catalonia's Noguera Pallaresa, Aragón's Gállego and Ésera, Cantabria's Carasa, and Galicia's Miño offer thrilling white-water rafting and kayaking, with the peak months being May and June. Some companies also provide hydrospeeding (water tobogganing) experiences.

Skiing

From late November through April, skiers flock to the slopes in Spain. The majority of ski resorts are nestled in the Pyrenees, with Catalonia’s Baqueira-Beret-Bonaigua, featuring 72 pistes and 65 miles of downhill runs, recognized for having the finest snow. Other popular resorts in Catalonia include La Molina (the country’s first resort), Masella, Espot, and Núria. In Aragón, you can enjoy fresh powder at Formigal and Candanchú, the latter offering 37 miles of downhill runs along with 22 miles dedicated to cross-country skiing.

Cycling

With options ranging from leisurely day trips to demanding multi-week journeys, Spain is a cyclist’s paradise. The country boasts an extensive network of peaceful country roads, and each region features designated touring paths and routes for both road and mountain biking enthusiasts.

Mountain biking enthusiasts should explore the forestry tracks in the mountain ranges. In addition to the original Camino de Santiago, popular long-distance biking routes include Asturias’ Senda del Oso, the Ruta de la Plata, and the 373-mile Camino del Cid. The Pyrenees foothills near Aínsa and Benasque-Castejón de Sos in Aragón, Galicia’s Ribeira Sacra region, and Andalucía’s Sierra Nevada are also favored by off-road bikers.

Moreover, Spain’s expanding network of Vías Verdes (former railway lines transformed into easy biking and hiking trails) offers over 2,100 miles of beautiful countryside to explore.

Rock Climbing

There are many ways to experience Spain’s mountains and gorges from a vertical angle. For seasoned climbers, prime destinations include Naranjo de Bulnes in the Picos de Europa, the Sobrarbe and Ansó Valley in the Pyrenees, and La Hoz del Júcar near Cuenca. Climbers of all skill levels can also hone their skills in La Pedriza in the Sierra de Guadarrama, close to Madrid, as well as in the Gorbea and Anboto mountains of the Basque Country, and at Torcal de Antequera in Andalucía.

Via ferrate (high-altitude routes featuring footholds, ladders, and steel cables across steep cliffs) provide another exciting way to explore Spain’s rocky landscapes. There are paths of varying difficulty in Sorrosal and Foradada del Toscar in the Pyrenees, Larraona in Navarre, El Caliz in Cantabria, Peña Karria in Burgos, Montserrat near Barcelona, and in El Chorro and the Ronda gorge in Andalucía.

Extreme Sports

Spain’s mountain ranges present an exciting challenge for those seeking adrenaline-fueled adventures like canyoning. Equipped with helmets and wetsuits, thrill-seekers can navigate steep-walled canyons, rappel down waterfalls, glide along natural water slides, and jump into crystal-clear pools. Canyoning is especially popular in locations such as Alquézar in Aragón, Cangas de Onís in the Picos de Europa, and the Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra Nevada in Andalucía, as well as Pallars Sobirà in the Catalan Pyrenees.

In Andalucía’s Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla, along with Sierra de Grazalema and Castejón de Sos in Aragón, beginners can try their hand at hang-gliding or paragliding with the assistance of local guides.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding offers a fantastic way to explore Spain’s varied landscapes, from rugged mountains to lush vineyards. Traverse the ancient muleteer trails, known as ‘Caminos de los Arrieros’ or ‘Caminos de los Muleteros,’ historically used for transporting goods like wine, olive oil, grains, and textiles.

Experience the charm of Don Quixote on a horseback tour through Castilla-La Mancha. The equestrian school Centro Ecuestre Los Caireles offers guided rides across the region’s gentle hills, expansive plains, and the iconic windmills of Consuegra.

Spain offers a plethora of outdoor activities for every type of adventurer. So grab your gear, choose one or more of these stunning landscapes, and discover the limitless adventures awaiting you.