Defy gravity on the walkways across some of Spain's most impressive gorges
Check your vertigo at the door and get ready to peek over cliffs, wriggle between rock walls, walk along walkways over crystal-clear waters and cross suspension bridges. Make sure to take your camera with you to photograph some of Spain's most beautiful landscapes. Despite the imposing nature of these gorges, given the safety measures in place, they are totally safe to visit, even with children or elderly people.
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La Yecla gorge
To the south of Burgos is one of Spain's narrowest gorges. Spanning 600 metres, taking you between walls measuring more than 100 metres in height, separated in some points by just two metres. A series of bridges and hanging walkways make for an incredible experience. You might even be lucky enough to spot some griffon vultures, with more than 100 pairs nesting here.Make the most of your trip to visit the nearby Monastery of Silos and its impressive Romanesque cloister, the mediaeval town of Covarrubias or Sad Hill cemetery, as captured in the film “The good, the Bad and the Ugly“. And if you are tempted to explore more walkways, why not try the route through the Hocinos gorge, north of Burgos.
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Montfalcó walkways
Located between Huesca and Lleida, these are some of the most exciting and beautiful treks that Spain has to offer. This route spanning just over eight kilometres, starting from the old town of Montfalcó, takes you along stairs nestled in the rock and along a series of walkways over the crystal clear waters of the River Noguera Ribagorçana. It also offers hikers the opportunity to explore the Congost de Mont-rebei, a canyon measuring more than 20 kilometres in length and 500 metres in depth, surrounded by spectacular cliffs. The landscape will leave you speechless. In this area you can do activities such as via ferrata, mountain biking or kayaking.If these sensations are right up your alley, then about an hour's drive away are the walkways over the River Vero, next to the charming mediaeval town of Alquézar (a member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain). This beautiful circular route spans three kilometers in length and features a 15-metre bridge and a spectacular viewpoint, perfect for taking in the landscapes of the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park.If you decide to continue north, about two and a half hours from the Montfalcó walkways, on an 800-metre hike, are the incredible Panticosa walkways over the River Caldarés.
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River Mao walkways
Have you ever visited the Ribeira Sacra? This famous part of Galicia is known for its monasteries nestled in the heart of nature. And if that were not enough, it is home to this route, which runs through the River Mao River to its mouth at the River Sil. If you dare to do it, you will leave from the Fábrica da Luz, an old electrical installation converted into a hostel and reception center for those interested in mountain biking, hiking or kayaking routes.Crossing these walkways against the backdrop of crashing waterfalls is simply magical. From the viewpoint, enjoy the incredible view over the valley and head down to the river banks by crossing the walkways.
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The Cares Trail
This route from Caín (León) to Poncebos (Asturias) is undoubtedly one of the best-known hiking routes in Spain. The impressive beauty of its mountain landscapes measuring more than 2,000 metres in height make its claim to fame more than worthy. How does venturing into the 70 tunnels carved into the rock over about 24 kilometres (round trip) sound to you? The green landscapes and crystal-clear waters of the River Cares will accompany you along the way under the gaze of the looming peak of Naranjo de Bulnes.Make the most of the fact that you are in Asturias to ride the funicular railway that runs up to the beautiful town of Bulnes or to see the Lakes of Covadonga (an hour away by car).
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Route through the Bridges of the La Hermida Gorge
Overwhelming, vertical and enormous. La Hermida is one of Spain's most impressive gorges, located on the eastern limit of Picos de Europa and between Cantabria and Asturias. It is more than 20 km long and has a maximum gradient of 600 m between the top and the bottom, fully crossed by two parallel roads: The Deva River, creator of the canyon, and the winding N-621 road. It is an environment of exceptional value for its fauna, flora and geological formations.In the Cantabrian part is the small town that gives its name to the gorge, La Hermida, from where a via ferrata begins very nearby that offers several itineraries. However, the most popular one with visitors is the one known as the ”Route through the Bridges“. It combines the most typical features of via ferratas, but with a few surprises: one of the longest and most dizzying Tibetan bridges in Spain (about 35 m long), made only of cables; and a suspension bridge made of wooden planks, about 90 m long.The entire route, classified as K4 (medium to medium/high difficulty), lasts 3 to 4 hours. Access is free, but we recommended visiting the site with a guide, who will provide the items and advice you need during the visit. And from these heights the views over the gorge will be unforgettable.
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Caminito del Rey Trail
This is undoubtedly the route that has become most famous in recent years. No one would want to miss the opportunity to visit what is said to be the most dangerous trail in the world, inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1921 to make it easier for workers at the region's hydroelectric plant to get to work. Located in Málaga, it is no longer quite as dangerous as it was, although it is still thrilling to explore.Do you dare to walk this 8-kilometre trail along walkways built more than 100 metres high through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Area, looking out from the glass balcony that projects from the walkway? Bear in mind that you will need to book an entry ticket in advance.Another similar route that also comes recommended in the area that is not as well known is Malaga Saltillo, home to one of Spain's longest suspension bridges. Thrills come guaranteed!
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River Borosa route
Walk on water... This is the feeling you get when taking this beautiful route spanning just over seven kilometres following the route of the River Borosa, in the Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park (Jaén). This trail consisting of elevated platforms is set against a backdrop of pine forests, crystal-clear waters, turquoise pools and spectacular rock formations.The trail takes around three hours in total and is home to birds including the kingfisher and the water blackbird, we well as an endemic reptile in the natural park, the Valverde lizard.How about another route with walkways in Andalusia that comes highly recommended? The Cerrada del Rio Castril trail (Granada).
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Los Pantaneros de Chulilla Trail
The pretty town of Chulilla (just 45 minutes from Valencia) is home to a little natural paradise: a circular trail about 10 kilometres in length through the canyon of the River Turia, crossing spectacular wooden bridges. Amaze at the Charco Azul (an idyllic lake that looks like a natural pool, perfect for taking a dip in summer) or a gorge with walls measuring more than 80 metres in height.Still in the Region of Valencia, close to Alicante is the Relleu dam walkway. This trail is around nine kilometres in length and features just over 200 metres of wooden walkways and a viewpoint that features a glass floor where you can overcome vertigo from 60 metres high. What's more, you can gaze over the Relleu reservoir dating back to the 17th century, a lime kiln, weirs, irrigation ditches and old irrigation ponds.
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Barranco de la Hoz trail
Start another spectacular adventure with this route across Calomarde, in the heart of the Albarracín mountain range (Teruel), recommended for all the family. This six-kilometre route (round trip) will take you along the crystal-clear waters of the River Blanco canyon, across suspension bridges and walkways nestled in the rock of narrow canyons. The old mill marks the end of the trail. You can also take the opportunity to take in the Calomarde waterfall afterwards.An hour and a half away by car and, in the Cuenca region, is the Beteta gorge and the Mata Asnos sinkhole: six kilometres between cliffs measuring more than 80 metres in height. It is home to two signposted trails that take in these landscapes, including a botanical trail that takes you into a natural tunnel covered by plants, century-old lime trees, griffon vultures or the spectacular Castro waterfall, which flows into the River Guadiela.
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