Beyond the Camino de Santiago—seven alternative hikes in Spain

The Camino de Santiago — the world’s most famous pilgrimage, stretching to around 500 miles across northern Spain — draws walkers from afar for its history, charming villages and the chance for personal reflection. Most take around a month to complete the full trail, following centuries-old paths through rolling hills, medieval towns and quiet forests, stopping in albergues (hostels) along the way for a meal, a bed and a glimpse into the traditions that have shaped this legendary route. But Spain’s hiking trails don’t end there. From the jagged peaks of the Pyrenees to the plunging gorges of Andalusia, sun-drenched beaches of Menorca and fragrant pine forests around Madrid, the country is packed with routes that suit every pace and ambition. Some are gentle city strolls, others test endurance and nerve, but each one promises that unbeatable moment when effort meets awe. Here are seven of the best to try.

1. Barcelona, Sagrada Família to Montjuïc Hill

Best for: Architecture and city views
Distance: 4 miles
Terrain: City pavements, parks
Walking time: 2-3 hours round trip (including stops)
Difficulty: Easy. Minimal training required; suitable for most fitness levels

The main structure of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, is scheduled for its official inauguration in 2026 — after 144 years of construction. Beginning here, walkers can admire the fantastical exterior before strolling along Carrer de València, passing other Modernista landmarks such as the colourful Casa Battló and the balconied Casa Josefa Villanueva.

The route continues to Plaça Espanya, a monumental square built for the 1929 World’s Fair, where grand fountains and architectural details hint at the city’s past. From there, a path winds up Montjuïc Hill past the bubbling cascades of the Magic Fountain and through the pergolas and rose bushes of the gorgeous Jardins de Laribal. At the summit, panoramic views of Barcelona’s skyline open towards the Mediterranean, offering a reward for the gentle climb. Walkers can return via a cable car or retrace their steps, soaking in the city’s atmosphere and lingering in cafes along the way.

2. Menorca, Camí de Cavalls

Best for: Paradise beaches
Distance: 115 miles
Terrain: Rocky tracks, dirt paths, some tarmac
Walking time: 7-10 days full route, shorter sections 1-2 days
Difficulty: Moderate. Good endurance and basic trail experience recommended

Circling Menorca’s coastline for more than a 100 miles, the Camí de Cavalls offers a breathtaking mix of secluded coves, windswept cliffs and shaded cypress avenues. Despite the island’s tropical Mediterranean climate, parts of the trail are surprisingly lush, with the Morella wetlands hosting rare shrubs, salt cedars and turtles gliding through tidal lagoons. Walkers pass sandy beaches that feel untouched and rocky promontories offering dramatic sea vistas.

The route is also rich in human history originally created in the 14th century for sentinels guarding against pirates, it still features watchtowers and lighthouses. Even older are relics of the Talaiotic culture, which flourished more than 3,000 years ago, including the atmospheric Cala Morell Necropolis, a burial chamber carved into coastal cliffs. The full path is divided into 20 stages, which can be completed individually, each combining natural beauty and the island’s quiet rhythm.

3. Huelva Province, Romería de El Rocío

Best for: A fiesta unlike any other
Distance: 50 miles
Terrain: Paved roads, dusty tracks
Walking time: 3-5 days depending on pace and festival stops
Difficulty: Moderately easy. Endurance training recommended

Affectionately known as the ‘drunken pilgrimage’, the Romería de El Rocío is a unique mix of devout tradition and exuberant celebration. With Seville as the most popular starting point, pilgrims travel from across southern Spain, on routes that wind through the sand dunes, marshes and grasslands of the Doñana National Park. Along the way, flower-laden wagons pulled by oxen creak under the weight of pilgrims’ offerings, while the air rings with impassioned flamenco songs and guitar strums, and sherry flows freely to keep spirits high.

Participants dress to impress — women in frilly flamenco dresses, men in traditional Cordoban hats — and join in processions that are as photogenic as they are joyful. The journey culminates in the historic, car-free town of El Rocío, where the statue of the Virgin Mary is paraded through throngs of devotees, creating a sensory spectacle of worship, music and celebration that lasts long into the night.

4. Málaga Province, Caminito del Rey

Best for: Gorge exploration and safe thrill-seeking
Distance: 4.8 miles
Terrain: Well-maintained bridges & walkways
Walking time: 3-4 hours round trip
Difficulty: Moderately easy. Basic fitness recommended to enjoy the route comfortably

The Caminito del Rey — or ‘King’s Little Path’ — earned its name after King Alfonso XIII crossed it in 1921, but the route itself dates back to 1905, when it was built for workers at the El Chorro Dam. Strung along the sheer cliffs of the Gaitanes Gorge near El Chorro, the trail isn’t for those afraid of heights, yet it rewards walkers with vertiginous views, dramatic rock formations and the sense of walking through a natural cathedral of limestone.

The air is fragrant with eucalyptus and juniper, while griffon vultures, golden eagles and mountain goats may be glimpsed on rocky ledges. Closed for decades due to disrepair, the trail was carefully restored in 2015, complete with safety handrails and reinforced walkways, allowing visitors to experience its thrill in relative safety, while appreciating the engineering feats of its creators.

5. Madrid, Peñalara Circular

Best for: Mountain lakes and majestic views
Distance: 8 miles
Terrain: Rocky paths, steep inclines, some scrambling
Walking time: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. Good fitness and some scrambling experience recommended

Just an hour’s drive north of Madrid, the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains feel a world away from the Spanish capital, their landscape defined by rugged peaks, glacially carved lagoons and ethereal pine forests. The Peñalara Circular route begins in the medieval town of Rascafría, winding through woods and high-altitude plateaus where black vultures soar overhead and Iberian ibex peek from rocky outcrops. The ascent is steep and occasionally requires scrambling, but each step rewards with increasingly dramatic views.

At the heart of the route lies Peñalara Park, home to jagged, snow-capped massifs and shimmering lagoons that mirror the sky. Here, walkers can pause to admire the alpine beauty, listen to the wind through the trees and feel the vastness of the mountains. Returning along the trail, the changing light casts new shadows on the rocks and lakes, leaving a lasting sense of awe.

6. León & Asturias, Cares Trail

Best for: Canyon exploration
Distance: 7 miles
Terrain: Dirt paths, some steep inclines
Walking time: 5-6 hours round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate. Suitable for walkers with reasonable fitness, some scrambling and exposure to heights

The Cares Trail follows the winding gorge of the Cares River, slicing through the dramatic limestone cliffs of the Picos de Europa mountains. Originally carved by engineers constructing a hydroelectric dam, the trail showcases a remarkable blend of human ingenuity and raw natural beauty. Walkers pass through moss-draped boulders, dense beech forests and cool caves, where chamois rest in the shadows. The path also threads narrow ledges and tunnels, giving occasional thrills for those comfortable with heights.

Spectacular viewpoints unfold at every turn, most famously at the Los Rebecos Bridge — an iconic, green-painted iron span that seamlessly blends into the surrounding gorge. Along the trail, the roaring river below, sheer cliffs above and jagged peaks in the distance create an immersive alpine experience, where every step feels dwarfed by the scale of the mountains and the ingenuity that tamed them.

7. The Pyrenees, GR11

Best for: Towering above northern Spain
Distance: 520 miles
Terrain: Rocky paths, steep inclines, scrambling
Walking time: 5-8 weeks for the full route, short sections 1-3 days
Difficulty: Difficult. Advanced endurance and hiking experience required. Walkers must be comfortable with multi-day treks, navigation, steep and uneven terrain, and mountain conditions.

Few Spanish trails rival the epic scale of the GR11, which traverses the entire length of the Pyrenees from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean. While completing the full 520 miles is a challenge for the most seasoned hikers, shorter sections also offer unforgettable experiences. Gentle highlights include the rolling meadows and woodlands of the Bidasoa and Baztán valleys, and the peaceful beech forests of the Quinto Real.

For the more adventurous, the Vignemale massif — the highest peak on the French-Spanish border — offers a lung-busting ascent amid snow-dusted, knife-edged ridges. Further east, the trail winds through the Ordesa Valley, past turquoise glacial lakes and dramatic limestone cliffs, before threading through the Catalonian highlands, where ancient shepherd tracks, isolated refuges and sweeping panoramas of jagged ridgelines provide an unparalleled sense of solitude. Every step reveals a patchwork of alpine flora, wildlife and hidden valleys, making the GR11 a supreme adventure for those seeking the ultimate Pyrenean trek.