The five most beautiful hikes in the Basque Country & Cantabria (northern Spain) – with GPS data
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Spain's northern coast completely surprised me. Instead of dry heat and olive groves, the Basque Country and Cantabria are more reminiscent of Ireland or England: lush green hills, rugged cliffs, secluded bays, and behind them the dramatic peaks of the Picos de Europa.
Whether it's rugged coastlines, turquoise beaches, or high alpine landscapes – in this blog post I present my five favorite hikes in the Basque Country and Cantabria . You can find GPS data, detailed route descriptions, and travel tips for all tours on Outdooractive .
Now there's only one question left: Which is your favorite hike?
Cantabria: Playa San Vicente – the most beautiful beach in Cantabria?
This coastal hike leads to a sheltered bay where the sea shimmers an almost unreal turquoise. Emerald green hills, white cliffs, and grazing horses accompany the path.
Heather and gorse grow in the Atlantic heath, while sea fennel and sea plantain thrive on the steep slopes. With a bit of luck, you might spot peregrine falcons or alpine choughs.
My tip: Pack your swimwear – a dip in the sea is simply a must here.
Data: 8.6 km · approx. 3 h · 159 m ↑↓
Click on the first image to start the photo gallery:
Basque Country: Jaizkibel – wild coast & big ponies
Ancient defensive towers, menhirs and dolmens, plus grazing horses and sheep:
The Jaizkibel mountain range is among the most beautiful coastal landscapes in the eastern Basque Country. The steep coastline drops sharply and solitarily into the Bay of Biscay – it's hard to believe that Hondarribia and Donostia are so close.
Fun fact: The Pottok pony is an old, rare pony breed from the Basque Country. "Pottok" simply means "little horse" in Basque.
Data: 16 km · approx. 6 h · 596 m ↑↓
Cantabria: Two-day hike to the Refugio Casetón de Ándara (Picos de Europa)
A spectacular hut-to-hut hike through the eastern massif of the Picos de Europa. From the remote village of Bejes, the trail leads through alpine meadows up into a barren, almost lunar-like mountain landscape. The Refugio Casetón de Ándara is the only staffed mountain hut in the eastern massif.
An old mine cart is a reminder of the zinc mining operations of the 19th century. From the summit of Pica del Macondiu (1,998 m), the view stretches far across the rugged peaks – particularly magical at sunset. The return journey through green beech forests forms a stark contrast to the barren high-mountain landscape.
Fun fact: For the first seafarers returning from America, these mountains were the sign to reach Europe again – hence the name Picos de Europa.
Data: 26.3 km · approx. 15 h · 1,214 m ↑↓
Click on the first image to start the photo gallery:
Basque Country: From Deba to Zumaia – a visit to Dragonstone
Itzurun beach in Zumaia was a filming location for Game of Thrones and served as the backdrop for "Dragonstone".
The world-famous Flysch cliffs look like the pages of a gigantic history book, in which over 50 million years of Earth's history can be read.
Tip: You can easily take the train back.
Data: 15 km · approx. 5:30 h · 625 m ↑↓
Cantabria: Coastal hike between Galizano and Somo – Everybody is gone surfing
A coastline straight out of a movie.
In fact, several films have been shot on the surfing beaches around Playa de Langre.
My tip: The natural seawater pool “Las Pozas de Langre”.
While surfers wait out for the perfect wave, hikers enjoy one breathtaking view after another – of cliffs, white beaches, and the endless blue of the Atlantic. In Somo, cafés right on the water invite you to take a break.
Data: 10.1 km · approx. 3:30 h · 111 m ↑ / 119 m ↓
Click on the first image to start the photo gallery:
Further information:
In the Picos de Europa mountains, nine mountain huts connect the El Anillo de Picos circular hiking trail . Stages can be flexibly combined. 👉 https://elanillodepicos.com/home/
👉 National Park information: https://parquenacionalpicoseuropa.es/
👉 Packing list for multi-day hikes: https://www.wibkestravels.net/mehrtageswanderung-packliste
👉 Our favorite spot: The small bar Soy y Sal at the Mirador de la Corneja
Click on the first image to start the photo gallery:
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