WALK THE ROUTES LESS TRAVELLED IN SPAIN THIS AUTUMN

Mild temperatures, frequent sunshine, and the adapting autumnal landscapes, make now the perfect time to go walking through the different regions and islands of Spain

Mild temperatures, frequent sunshine, and the adapting autumnal landscapes, make now the perfect time to go walking through the different regions and islands of Spain. Travelling out of high season means that hiking routes are quieter, and visitors have more of a feel for the local lifestyle. From a walking festival in Gran Canaria and an alternative Camino through the Murcia region to a more challenging upgraded hike in Tenerife, here are four hiking trips to take this autumn.

The Gran Canaria Walking Festival

The annual Gran Canaria Walking Festival will take place from 24-27 October this year. The festival allows visitors to explore the natural landscapes of the island via four routes and also showcases its culture, history and gastronomy. The expert guides will lead hikers on four different routes, including:

  • Under the shelter of Doramas

This route is 12.5km long and takes around five and a half hours. The route passes through the protected, natural area of laurel forests, the ‘Parque Rural de Doramas’, and leads to the village of Fontanales, where visitors can visit the charming church of Parroquia De San Bartolomé..

  • The Peak of the Navigators

This more challenging route will begin close to the highest point on island and then pass through two protected natural areas, the ‘Paisaje Protegido de Las Cumbres’ and the ‘Reserva Natural Especial de los Marteles’. The route takes five and a half hours to complete and is 11.6km in length, so a great choice for avid hikers.

  • Road to the top

This route starts in the village of Tejeda and ascends from there to the top of the peak, the ‘caldera de Tejeda’, where hikers can learn of the legacy of the volcanic activity of Gran Canaria. Following a 7.7km, three-and-a-half-hour hike, visitors reach the summit and, if the weather is favourable, they are able to enjoy a view across to Tenerife.

More information on the Gran Canaria hiking festival can be found here.

The Camino de Levante – A Quieter Camino through the Region of Murcia

The Camino de Levante pilgrimage route through the region of Murcia is perfect for travellers looking to for an alternative pilgrimage route through Spain. This year, the Region of Murcia Tourism Board has launched an official website with information for hikers, making it easier than ever to access this route.

The Camino follows the River Segura and passes through fields and orchards on a 120km route to Caravaca. Along the route, there are inspiring stops, from the local churches including the Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, to Roman remains, such as the Roman Villa of Los Villaricos, a large agricultural villa in the heart of Murcia, there is impressive architecture to admire along the entire route. Following the Northwest greenways, walkers will arrive at Bullas, the land of vineyards and wine, to sample the local flavours and visit the Museo del Vino (Wine Museum). The last stage of the route will pass through an old railway line before arriving at the Taibilla canal, exploring the pine forests and vineyards, before arriving at their final destination: Caravaca de la Cruz, to see the Basílica-Santuario de la Vera Cruz. According to religious history and the Christian faith, the Holy Cross of Caravaca, in the Region of Murcia, contains a fragment of the Lignum Crucis; that is, the cross on which Jesus Christ died.

The travellers will follow the following route:

  • Orihuela – Murcia: Begin the journey in Alicante, venturing onto Murcia (24km.)
  • Murcia – Alguazas: discover the orchards of Murcia (26km.)
  • Alguazas – Mula: explore ruins and Barrancos de Gebas (26km.)
  • Mula – Bullas: stroll through vineyards and landscapes (21km.)
  • Bullas – Caravaca de la Cruz: finishing the route in style (21km.)

More information on the Camino de Levante can be found here.

Take on the upgraded Route 040 in Tenerife

The upgraded Route 040, which celebrates the 5th anniversary of its reopening in 2025, is widely regarded as one of the most challenging routes in Europe due to the elevation gain during the hike. The route is used by both hikers and runners and follows a pathway from El Socorro beach to the summit of Mount Teide. The 27.7km route can be completed in a single day by exercise enthusiasts, taking around 12 hours for hiking, or 6 for those who choose to run it and winds its way up to 4000 metres above sea level through points including:

  • Socorro Beach

The starting point of this route, Socorro Beach is a volcanic beach known for its great surfing offering. The beach is a wonderful place for hikers to take in the rugged Tenerife coastline.

  • Camino de las Vueltas

This pathway runs along evergreen lined clifftops and is one of the oldest royal roads on the island of Tenerife, dating from the sixteenth century.

  • La Corona lookout

La Corona is one of the island’s most spectacular viewpoints, where hikers can look down upon the entire Orotava valley as well as the gorgeous landscapes of the north side of the island.

More information on Route 040 can be found here.

The Guadalhorce Green Corridor

At the start of 2024, a new four-kilometre section of The Guadalhorce Green Corridor hiking route was launched that passes through the town of Pizarra, in Málaga.This new path is the third section completed as part of the Green Corridor project of the Malaga Provincial Council, which aims to connect significant areas in the Guadalhorce region using natural trails. The other sections include a pedestrian walkway over the river of Álora and the development of a 12.5-kilometre riverside path in Coín. Previously, walkers had travelled between the towns of Pizarra and Vega Hipólito by walking on the road, so this route has been established to provide hikers with a safer journey between to two towns. Along the way the route visits sites of interest, including:

  • Guadalhorce River Estuary Natural Park

This estuary, where the river meets the Mediterranean Sea, is a protected area known for its biodiversity, particularly for birdwatching. It is home to a variety of species, including flamingos and herons, making it a key site for nature enthusiasts.

  • Azud de Aljaima

The route visits several historic bridges, such as the Azud de Aljaima, which add a cultural dimension to the trail, linking visitors to the region’s historical heritage.

  • Riparian Forests

The restoration of the beautiful riparian forests along the river promotes local biodiversity and helps create a home protect native species byforming a natural buffer along the waterway and creating a home for local wildlife for visitors to spot.

More information on the Guadalhorce Green Corridor can be found here.

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