The Best Hiking Routes in Northern Spain

Spain is stunning. Sometimes, we don’t appreciate the country we live in, caught up in a frantic lifestyle where haste and immediacy take precedence over pause, contemplation, and enjoyment. Commerce often outweighs authenticity, and urban developments obscure the most primal aspects of our geography.

Nature. Today, we urge you to reconnect with nature, to those areas of the peninsula where the air is free of pollution and the sound of engines is replaced by birdsong or rustling leaves stirred by the wind. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the most natural parts of Spain is undoubtedly through hiking, which lets you venture into the heart of fields and mountains, tracing paths marked by your own footsteps.

There are countless kilometres to explore, so today we’ll focus on the best hiking routes in northern Spain. But before we begin, I invite you to read and revisit some tips we’ve shared here to enjoy this activity without any setbacks.

Ready? Pack your rucksack, and let’s start with some of Galicia’s most outstanding routes before moving on to Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country.

HIKING ROUTES IN GALICIA

Fragas - Levadas - Deva. PR-G 165: just over 17 kilometres ahead, with moderate difficulty and an estimated duration of 6.5 hours. Along the way, you’ll encounter ancient forests and rivers with mills that culminate in waterfalls.

Cañón de Eume: around 4 hours long and unsuitable for those with vertigo, this route could be classified as challenging. As the name suggests, it revolves around the Eume Canyon, starting at the Ventureira Power Plant and passing landmarks like the Morixosa Waterfall or the A Teixido Viewpoint, offering spectacular views.

Baiona Route: a 5-hour visual treat. This easy trail showcases the Atlantic’s finest vistas along a straight path elevated by the Grob slopes, between Cabo Silleiro and Mougás. In short, 16 coastal kilometres.

Here are some of the most popular guided routes in A Coruña from €15 or Pontevedra from just €9.

HIKING ROUTES IN ASTURIAS

Cares - Poncebos - Caín: a moderate 24-kilometre route lasting roughly 8 hours. The Cullembro Gorge views are particularly mesmerising. Watch out for the tunnels before the Caín Dam—they plunge you into darkness.

Lago Enol and Mirador de Ordiales: we head to the heart of the Lakes of Covadonga with this striking 30-kilometre route (around 7 hours). The trail takes you from the famous shepherds’ refuge to the Ordiales Viewpoint, offering unparalleled views of the Comión Massif and Angón Valley.

Torrecerredo: one of the Picos de Europa’s quintessential peaks. This dizzying route starts in Pandebano, passing breathtaking spots like Urriellu or Horcada Arenera before reaching Torrecerredo’s base. Notable for its 12-hour duration and mountainous terrain.

For the best guided routes in the area, here are some options from €12.

HIKING ROUTES IN CANTABRIA

Riberas del Yera and Ajan: also known as the "28 Waterfalls Route". 19 kilometres and 9 hours of pristine landscapes, starring waterfalls and stone bridges.

Canalahonda - Collados del Asón: 16 kilometres in 7 hours. A journey through sinkholes, hidden valleys, cliffs, and limestone summits at Altos de Collados del Asón, framed by forests with natural springs and contemplative silence.

Tres Mares - Peña Labra: this route takes you from Fuente del Chivo to Tresmares Peaks and Peña Labra. 10 kilometres (5 hours) with final-stage views of Picos de Europa, Montaña de Espiguete, and Curavacas.

For a unique Cantabrian experience, try this trail running route in Picos de Europa (4 hours).

HIKING ROUTES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

Aizkorri: one of the region’s most popular routes. Short (just over 2 hours) and beginner-friendly, it features the San Adrián Tunnel, the Santo Cristo Hermitage, and the Aiztontor Altuna summit.

Sarastarri Cave: starting in Lizarrusti, this easy 8-kilometre trail passes a stunning reservoir before reaching an underground paradise. Don’t miss the cave’s legend—Marimunduko awaits!