Spain and Portugal resources

Walking in Spain offers huge diversity, with mountain walking including the Pyrenees, the Sierra Nevada, Picos and Cordillera Cantabrica, the mountains of central Spain and those of the Costa Blanca, east and west. It is possible to reach for the highest and most demanding challenges, or to choose short gentle walks, whatever suits.

Each mountain area offers unique landscapes. The Pyrenees are a high chain of glaciated mountains forming a barrier between neighbouring France to the north. The landscape is similar to the Pennine Alps, with soaring peaks, glacial lakes and deep ‘U’-shaped valleys such as the Ordessa Gorge.

Similar in height are the Sierra Nevada in the south, with snow-covered slopes throughout the winter, and a deserted landscape of challenging rocky ridges and pinnacles. In the north are the Picos and the Cordillera Cantabrica - green, deserted, challenging for those who wish them to be, yet providing endless opportunities for short and longer hillwalking.

For many years the Algarve has been overlooked as a walking destination. Here walkers find a rich variety of scenery, combined with an equable climate of mild sunny winters and long hot summers, making the Algarve an ideal walking location.

The Cicerone range of titles also includes a guide to cycle touring which details eight selected cycle tours throughout Spain.


(Photo by Paul Lycia from 'Through the Spanish Pyrenees GR11')