Stuart Butler - Lonely Planet Best Day Walks Spain (Hiking Guide)

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As Europes second-most mountainous country, Spain is a land of cinematic landscapes. From the snowy majesty of the Pyrenees to rugged coastal cliffs lashed by Atlantic storms and rural landscapes painted with white-washed, silent-at-noon villages, Spain inspires with its natural diversity.

In this book, we lead you along trails that will take you high into the Picos, Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada, through wild-flower meadows in Andaluca and to lofty coastal viewpoints in Mallorca and Menorca. We also point you towards off-the-beaten-path routes in Celtic-flavoured Galicia, semi-desert wilderness trails just back from the Mediterranean and the forgotten mountains of the Basque Country.

Throughout these hills, mountains, fields, beaches and cliffs there is an extensive and well-maintained network of walking trails, as well as numerous mountain lodges and village guesthouses, all of which help to make Spain a walkers dream. So, lace up your boots and hit the Spanish trail.

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A roller-coaster loop over a high, rocky pass and past dozens of glimmering lakes set in flower meadows and glacial bowls.

Hike up to the awe-inspiring 500m-high rock pillar at the heart of the Picos de Europa, arguably the greatest concentration of mountain drama in the country.

An unforgettable coastal hike of long, wild beaches, high cliffs and capes and many a jagged, ocean-battered rock, to the lighthouse at the end of the Earth.

One of Mallorcas finest walks, this day hike comprises rambles through olive groves to gorgeous viewpoints, forested cliff stretches and the west coasts finest beaches.

Climb to a dramatic high peak with unrivalled views of the stunning glacial cirque and lake at the heart of the Sierra de Gredos.

A journey of mesmerising beauty along the best of Catalonias Rugged Coast sandy coves, clifftop pine woods, quaint fishing villages and turquoise waters.

Glacial mountain peaks, soaring canyon walls and a palette of colours. Every step you take through the Grand Canyon of Europe will have you gasping in wonder.

Walk up beside a tumbling mountain river with countless waterfalls through scenery that progresses from the pretty to the majestic.

Breathtaking walk along a 1000m-deep Picos de Europa canyon, with pinnacle peaks piercing the sky and a mountain river tumbling along far below.

Hike up a beautiful valley from a postcard-perfect white Andalucian village and return by a high-level path with vistas of the Sierra Nevadas highest peaks.

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g WILDLIFE

Spain is blessed with an incredibly rich diversity of plants and animals, and observant walkers have a good chance of spotting some exotic creatures.

Watch for bones falling from the sky as the mighty, and endangered, bearded vulture soars overhead.

Theres a high chance of seeing chamois (and plenty of vultures) on this walk deep in the upper reaches of the Picos de Europa.

With enormous sweeping horns, the ibex (pictured above) is a seriously impressive creature, and on this walk youre almost guaranteed a close-up sighting.

Pack binoculars to see nesting colonies of shag and yellow-legged gulls on this coastal walk.

Spot hawks and wild goats on this quiet route through wild and remote country.

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Y OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH

Clear the mind on these walks that take you far from the madding crowd.

Dive deep into the dense woodlands, lost-in-time hamlets and medieval monasteries of the Ribeira Sacra.

Contemplate the scenery in peaceful solitude from this awe-inspiring Pyrenean viewpoint.

Beautiful inter-village walk through wooded hills in the little-visited Sierra de Aracena (pictured above).

Ponder over mysterious stone pyramids and shipwreck monuments in Menorcas uninhabited northwestern corner.

Relish the beauty of the glowing, mountain-ringed Baticielles lakes.

PAWEL KAZMIERCZAK/SHUTTERSTOCK

p COASTAL VIEWS

Some of the best walks in Spain are those that take you to the seaside.

Everything from plunging cliffs and turquoise coves to white-painted fishing villages (pictured above).

On a clear day, you can see across a glittering Mediterranean to faraway Ibiza.

Twenty kilometres of roaring seas, cliffs, beaches and coves.

White-sand coves and precipitous cliffs await along Menorcas south coast.

The dramatic beauty of Cabo de Gatas cliffs, coves and beaches.