Choosing Your Region
The different regions in Spain each offer their own unique trekking adventure. Observe wildlife in its natural habitat at game and nature reserves or at one of the many national parks. Visit scenic areas of what is frequently called "Green Spain" in the northern regions or the Pyrenees, which separate France and Spain. Or, you can hike to the highest peak on the Spanish peninsula in the Sierra Nevada, which is located in the southern region. Here you can also explore unusual architecture and art in remote locations!
Here are some recommended hiking adventures in Spain:
The mighty mountain ranges of Spain are the Cantabrian range, which crosses the Central Mountain chain, and the Iberian Mountains that begin in the Basque Country and end on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe. You'll enjoy visiting the foothills and valleys of the Pyrenees, one of the most popular hiking areas of Spain. Or, for a rugged hiking adventure, the Picos de Europa presents many areas where there are no roads. This is located in the regions of Cantabria and Asturias.
Hike Among the Sant Marti and Empuries Ruins
This is a Medieval town where the ruins of an ancient Greek-Roman city called Empuries lie. This is one of the most treasured sites in Spain. A hike in this area reveals ornamental mosaics on the floor, an original wall built by Romans, and the brilliant design of a Greek city.
Explore Olot's Volcanoes and la Fageda d'en Jorda
Take a hike to explore what is now a natural park. There are more than 30 volcanic cones. There's also a forest of beech trees, which is situated on the famous lava stream of Santa Margarida, a volcano that is known for having a small church in its crater.
Tour the Hidden Valley of Vall de Nuria
Encounter the quietness of nature in the hidden valley of Vall de Nuria. This hike begins with a ride on a peculiar silent railway that transports you to the valley. This railway is the only means of transportation to Nuria. The valley is engulfed by high mountains, giving you a great Alpine landscape view during your hike.
Hiking in the National Park of Aiguestortes
You'll also find great hiking opportunities at the National Park of Aiguestortes, which is located in the heart of the Pyrenees. The park offers a genuine view of High Mountain, and water is abundant throughout the area. If you like hiking around lakes, rivers and waterfalls, there are over 200 of these in the park. Don't miss the aigues tortes or "twisted waters" in the park. This is one of the most fascinating landscapes of the Pyrenees. Also while hiking in the park, you'll see plenty of fauna and flora. There are fir trees that are more than a hundred years old and also black pine tree forests where you might spot izards or bearded vultures!
Legend of the Canary Islands
Hiking in the Canary Islands has a legendary twist! The Canary Islands are part of the Atlantis legend, a place known as the disappeared continent. As you hike through the laurisilvia forest, also known as laurel jungle, you'll get the sense of being in an enchanted place. Before the Tertiary age, these forests once grew all over the Mediterranean and in most of Europe!
Hike Where Pirates Once Met
Another interesting hike is at the Serra de Tramuntana
mountain range on the West coast of the Majorca Island. The mountain range runs the length of the coast, and you'll have a panoramic view of coves and cliff edges shaded by pine trees. This area of the Mediterranean used to be a meeting place for pirates. A well-preserved train in Soller that was built in 1912 will give you the feeling of being in another time from history, along with the cobbled paths that take you from the sea to L'Infern and through the beautiful cliffs of Puig Major, which is the highest peak in Majorca. The local people of the island are hospitable, and you'll receive a warm welcome after a long day's journey!
Try Great Foods while Hiking in the Navarra Pyrenees
Travel by foot through a timeless setting that has been preserved by its people. The Navarra Pyrenees offers a great hiking experience along with the best vegetables, cheese, meat and fish for the tasting. You'll also get to see where Spain's most valued wines are made - on the bank of the Ebro River. Hiking in Spain is a great way to unearth nature's beauty, meet friendly villagers and taste delicious foods and wines!
Spain, Madrid et al and hiking? You;ll need a cell phone for use both for emergency and normal use to contact friends and family, perhaps for hotel and transportation needs and with the local GSM service you'll be amazed at how much better the service is in Spain than back home. Virtually everywhere in Spain and its islands, yes even islands and mountains, is covered by superb GSM cell phone service. With a local service provider all your incoming calls are 100% free and calling the states is just $.80 / minute. Or, to be 100% sure, you can rent a satellite phone and as long as you can point it to the southern hemisphere you'll get service across Europe. Free incoming calls day and night from every country on earth and only $1.99 to call any country, always.
For more information on renting/buying these type of phones and getting this type of super low cost service take a look at http://www.planetomni.com or call 800-514-2984 inside the States or 925-686-9945 from outside. They ship worldwide and are based in California.
Cell phone use overseas. In 99% of the world the local cellular service standard is called GSM. We use this in the states as well. When combined with a SIM CARD (which usually goes under the battery of the phone) the phone is able to communicate and the SIM CARD also holds the telephone number and memory for pre-paid credit. Rates can be extremely low using this system. For example in 99% of all SIM CARDS incoming calls are free and calls to the states can cost a trifle. Such as, from the UK to the USA 7 cents/minute, from Israel 22 cents, from Australia 27 cents. Yes, USA Dollar cents! There are today even prepaid service providers in the USA offering rates of 10 cents per minute to call anywhere in the US to any type of phone. No contracts, no credit card checks, no bills. Pre-paid always means no minimums no contracts, no obligations. You only pay for the calls made. You'll need an unlocked GSM tri-band or quadband UNLOCKED phone. You can buy factory unlocked phones and sim cards for more than 170 or the 193 countries on earth from htt://http://www.planetomni.com Tel. #800-514-2984
Written By: John Dulaney
