Basic information about the mainland Spain
Explore the fourth largest country in Europe on foot – always without luggage and on wonderful hiking trails. At Eurohike, we have packed the most beautiful routes and tours on the mainland Spain for you into well-organised hiking tours that offer the perfect active holiday for every energy level and level of experience. The regions themselves are as diverse as our hiking tours. Discover the pristine natural landscapes and diverse areas in Catalonia, where Mediterranean pine trees meet lush slopes and alpine flowers. Enjoy the green regions in the Basque Country, where you can experience the contrasting cliffs and impressive Atlantic Ocean. The warmth of the inhabitants, the hospitality, as well as a diverse culture and particularly tasty cuisine are always your companions on a hiking holiday on the mainland Spain.
The most popular tours on the Spanish mainland
The heart of Catalonia
On our hiking tour The Heart of Catalonia, 8 days, you will experience the beauty of this region on good hiking trails. In six daily stages you march through hilly terrain without luggage and experience the pristine natural landscapes with wonderful views. Even on the first stage from Montseny to Aiguafreda, views of the Montseny National Park and the Pyrenees in the distance are guaranteed. The route continues via Sant Feliu de Codines through typical pine forests to Sant Llorenç Savall. On the fifth day of your hiking holiday you will experience the spectacular peaks of the Serralada Litoral mountain landscape and end your stage in Mura. On the last two stages of the day, you first hike to Rellinars, before a very special highlight awaits you on the last day of the hike: the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat, embedded in the rock of the holy mountain.
Camino de Santiago „Camino Francés“
From Sarria to Santiago de Compostela: you are en route on the last 100 kilometres of the Camino de Santiago on our hiking tour Camino de Santiago „Camino Francés“, 8 days. With every step you experience the most beautiful sides of the trail including the world-famous pilgrimage site of Portomarín and the next day, past beautiful churches and towns, to Palas de Rei. The third day’s stage takes you via Mélide to Arzúa. Our tip: pure enjoyment in Mélide, here you can taste the Galician squid ‘Pulpo á feira’. The hiking route continues through small villages and wonderfully fragrant eucalyptus forests to Arca. On the final day’s stage, you have the long-awaited destination, the famous pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela in sight. You can visit it on the last day of your hiking trip and see the impressive cathedral.
Basque Coast
The Eurohike hiking tour Basque Coast takes you on fantastic hiking routes through the beautiful regions in the north of Spain. The six daily stages take you through the Basque Country from Zumaia to Bilbao - always along the beautiful coast. You hike past the spectacular flysch formations (rugged rock formations) from Zumaia to Deba and the next day to the charming fishing harbour of Lekeitio. Continue via Ea to the harbour of Elantxobe, your destination on the fifth day. On the following route, you will discover the hermitage of San Pedro de Atxarre with a magnificent panoramic view of the coastal town of Mundaka. After a restful night in Guernica, the last stage of your hiking tour awaits: followed by a short train ride to Mundaka, you will hike to Burgoa, on to the beautiful hermitage of Gaztelugatxe and finally to the final stage destination, the lively harbour city of Bilbao. A marvellous hiking tour with luggage transfer in the north of Spain that will leave you with plenty of lasting memories.
Facts and details about the Spanish mainland
Facts and details
- Location: In the south-west of Europe (on an area of around six sevenths of the Iberian Peninsula), borders on France to the north as well as the Principality of Andorra and Portugal to the west
- Time to travel: Hiking trips are possible all year round in selected regions (see our tour detail pages for travel dates)
- Mountains and peaks: At 3,715 metres, Pico del Teide is the highest mountain in the country and is located in Tenerife. On the Spanish mainland, and at the same time the entire Iberian Peninsula, the Mulhacén in Granada is the highest mountain at 3,482 metres.
- Special feature: Spain is the second most visited country in the world
- Capital: Madrid (more than 6.6million inhabitants)
- Official language: Spanish (other languages: Catalan, Galician, Basque)
Climate
In the northern hiking regions in Catalonia there is a continental Mediterranean climate, which meets a mountain climate in the Pyrenees, and especially in the winter months, provides increased rainfall. In the areas around the Pyrenees, and due to the altitude, there is a mountain climate with longer and colder winter months, as well as shorter and fresher summer periods. The climate on the Basque coast is always mild and, due to the proximity of the Atlantic, it is humid and temperate. Our Eurohike hiking tours with luggage transfer on the mainland Spain take place all year round depending on the tour. Find out more on our tour details page.
Cuisine
There has always been a colourful spectrum of different dishes and ingredients in Spanish cuisine, because even in the days of seafarers, all kinds of things were brought home from the countries visited. This culinary diversity has been preserved in Spin to this day: from a delicious paella, a refreshing gazpacho or delicious tapas – from Catalonia to the Basque coast there is something for every taste. You can find particularly tasty meat and fish dishes, as well as the delicious white wines in the Pyrenees, in the Basque country you will find light and varied dishes. A good class of the world-famous Rioja should not be missing from a successful dinner either. A hiking holiday on the mainland of Spain is definitely an enjoyable experience for body and palate.
Did you know … ?
That the famous pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela is visited by around 75,000 pilgrims every year?
The historic old town is the destination of the world-famous Way of St. James, also known as the Camino de Santiago or ‘Camino Francés’. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is a lot to explore and discover. Whether visiting the Cathedral of Santiago, a pilgrimage mass or a city tour – this place impresses visitors from all over the world.
That more than 50% of the total land area us used for agricultural purposes?
About 53% of Spain’s area is of major importance to agriculture. Various vegetables, olives, almonds, citrus fruits, as well as meat, fish and dairy products are among typical products grown in Spain.
That Spain is home to the largest wine-growing region in the world?
Spain has the world’s largest wine-growing area with more than one million hectares. The vineyards stretch across the country and the Rioja region in particular is known for fantastic red wine of the same name – an absolute highlight for wine lovers from all over the world.
That the dishes in the regions around the Pyrenees and Catalonia are among the best in Europe?
The beautiful regions on the mainland Spain are not only a true paradise for hikers and active holiday makers. The areas in Catalonia also promise a culinary feast for the palate. Tasty dishes made from the best ingredients such as fresh fish and regional meat, as well as juicy vegetables, fruit and delicious white wines impress foodies from all over Europe.
