Adventure in Spain: hiking in the Pyrenees and skiing in Sierra Nevada

Spain is an amazing country to explore and experience, even for those who don't just want to lie on the beach or by the pool during their holiday. Nature is varied throughout the country and your experience will be different depending on where you choose to travel. 

For those who love nature and want to be active during their trip, you can choose to go hiking in the Pyrenees (recommended season from May to October, depending on the area) or skiing in the Sierra Nevada during the winter season. In this article you will find out how to prepare the experience before your visit and what not to miss when you get here.

Hiking and trekking in Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park

A very popular place in the Pyrenees is the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. Here you will find an infinite number of hiking routes that will suit both those who are used to hiking and those who are new to the mountains. You will also be able to experience incredible nature and magnificent mountains and beautiful forests (the Pyrenees area to visit in Autumn, together with the Irati Forest, this one in Navarra). There are several nice places to stay if you decide to stay in the area, but keep in mind that it is always good to book in advance as the area is popular with hikers from all over the world. One example is the Refugio de Góriz, in the heart of the park, which if you are visiting in high season (June to September) you should book at least two months in advance. 

🥾 Routes in Ordesa. The route to the Cola de Caballo through the Gradas de Soaso. is a route of 17.5 km (round trip) in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, starting in the Ordesa meadow. Following the GR-11 path, you climb up the Ordesa valley alongside the Arazas river until you reach the cirque of Soaso, where the Cola de Caballo waterfall is located. The path crosses pine and beech forests, as well as mountain meadows. It is one of the most popular hikes in the Pyrenees, offering spectacular views and the opportunity to admire several waterfalls in the valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also, make sure you have your Prepaid eSIM for Spain when you are there, so you can enjoy all there is to do there without high costs. You can also share your experience by simply calling your family back home. This is a great example of how our digital lifestyle, in the right combination with adventure, can be great for your relationships. It is simply possible to combine the two in the best way.

Explore the Posets Maladeta Natural Park and climb to the top of the Pyrenees and the Iberian Peninsula.

The Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, located in the heart of the Pyrenees, is a paradise for mountain and nature lovers. This protected area is home to the Maladeta massif and the Aneto peak, the highest peak in the Pyrenees and the Iberian Peninsula, at an altitude of 3,404 metres. Visitors can enjoy a great diversity of landscapes, ranging from lush forests and glacial valleys to high mountain lakes and majestic snow-capped peaks. The park is also rich in biodiversity, being home to emblematic species such as the bearded vulture, the brown bear and the serin.

🏔️ Three-thousanders of the Pyrenees. Climbing Aneto is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences the park has to offer. The classic route starts at the La Renclusa refuge and takes mountaineers across the Aneto glacier and the famous Mahoma Pass, a narrow and vertiginous stretch that requires great skill and courage. The reward for the effort is an unrivalled panoramic view that spans the entire mountain range and, on clear days, reaches as far as the Mediterranean Sea. 

Enjoy skiing in Sierra Nevada

For those who think that Spain is all about warmth and sun on the beach, Sierra Nevada is a reminder that winter sports can also be enjoyed in the country. A visit to Sierra Nevada will not disappoint. Experienced skiers and beginners alike can ski here.

Due to its location, the season is relatively short (December to April) compared to northern Europe, but you can easily book your skiing at your convenience. The resort also offers ski mountaineering itineraries. 

You can fly to Almeria, Granada or even Malaga if you want to travel here. Then the best thing to do is to hire a car if you don't already have your own.

Adventure in Spain - there's always more to discover

Spain is a very popular country both among international tourists and local Spanish tourists who want to experience more of their own country. No matter who you are, you will always have many exciting experiences, in a culture that offers a rich history, good food and a pride in its culture that you will hardly find anywhere else. Spain offers joy, sunshine and plenty of adventure, for all ages and types of travel groups. A visit to the exciting Pyrenees is guaranteed to make you want to return, and the same applies to those who choose to ski in the thrilling Sierra Nevada.