Discover the best destinations for hiking lovers

Europe offers various options to discover on foot while enjoying nature

A recent survey by ViajerosPiratas, the most visited travel platform in Spain, highlights hiking as the preferred sport for Spaniards when they travel. Active tourism has experienced a real boom in recent years and tourists want to take advantage of their holidays to do outdoor activities and discover new destinations in a different way. After the pandemic, more and more people have included some type of sports routine in their routines and they do not give it up during the holidays either. In fact, more than 60% say they decide the destination based on the possibility of being able to discover it at their leisure, taking hiking routes to soak up all its charm and enjoy its gastronomy and the hospitality of its people.

One of the most magical corners that the Iberian Peninsula offers for hikers are Los Picos de Europa, one of the most impressive mountain ranges in Spain for its impressive landscapes, which are home to a wide variety of flora, fauna and wildlife. Travelers have the opportunity to taste the delicious cuisine of the area and discover picturesque towns and villages where no time seems to have passed. The Picos de Europa National Park allows you to breathe fresh air and get away from the stressful urban rhythm for a few days. An idyllic environment in which to disconnect from the madding crowd and reconnect with nature.

But Spain offers many other possible destinations to discover while hiking. The different routes and itineraries to do the Camino de Santiago, declared a World Heritage Site and European Cultural Itinerary by UNESCO, are one of the most popular options among hikers; as well as the Sierra de Tramuntana in Mallorca or discover by walking the impressive landscapes of the islands of La Gomera and La Palma, true paradises for natural tourism.

For those who prefer to leave Spain, Europe also offers many attractive destinations to discover while hiking. One of the most recommended is the Via Francigena. It is a medieval pilgrimage route, which starts from the town of Canterbury in the United Kingdom, and crosses France and Switzerland, until reaching Italy, specifically St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. It is one of the three major pilgrimages to Santiago and Jerusalem and to receive the “Testimonium”, the document that certifies that this journey has been completed.

Travelers who decide to dedicate their holidays to hiking have advice from agencies specializing in self-guided trips such as Orbis Ways. Its expert team is responsible for organizing tailor-made hiking trips to make the most of your time and not miss any of the landscapes and magical corners of the chosen destination. Travelers only have to tell them the dates on which they want to travel and they take care of designing the route, adapting to the specific needs of each one, reserving the accommodations and taking care of every detail to guarantee that the trip is a success. They also offer routes designed for those who prefer to explore the destination by bicycle, another of the most popular options among sporty travelers.

Self-guided active tourism trips are very popular because they allow the tour to be adapted to travelers of different ages and physical shapes, to be able to go on a hiking or cycling trip with friends, as a couple or as a family. An unforgettable experience