Still don't know the wonders that Spain's national parks have to offer? High mountain areas, green expanses stretching to the horizon, walks alongside unique flora, meadowland where you will be surrounded by native fauna... This is what awaits you in Spain's 16 national parks. You can enjoy nature and join sustainable activities to preserve the environment. Do you want to discover some of them?
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
The Aigüestortes i Estany de San Maurici National Park is located in the Catalan Pyrenees. Large meadows protected by mountains over 3,000 metres high where you can see the native flora. In the Pallars Sobirà region, you will find an eco-museum where sustainable forms of production by shepherds are presented. Additionally, small groups of visitors are taught, through interactive workshops, to recognise the edible mushrooms that can be found in nature.
National parks in Andalusia
At the other end of the country, in Andalusia, there are three very unique national parks. In the Doñana, you will be discover unique biodiversity in Europe, including endangered animals (such as the Iberian imperial eagle) and an incredible set of ecosystems (beaches, dunes, preserves, marshland, etc.). If you opt for high mountain hiking with zero environmental impact, leave your car and go into the Sierra Nevada (Granada) or Sierra de las Nieves (Malaga), where guides will help you discover incomparable mountain routes.
Cabañeros National Park
Hiking in protected natural surroundings is not a daily occurrence. And if it takes place in inland Spain with the rich landscape unique to Toledo and Ciudad Real, the experience is complete. On foot or on a bike, the Cabañeros National Park promises a sustainable sports experience for you and your family.
Monfragüe National Park
If you are visiting Extremadura, you can stop at the Monfragüe National Park (Caceres). On foot, on a bike or even on horseback, in small groups (so as not to cause any kind of disturbance to the environment), you will be able to see black storks and vultures, imperial and royal eagles, as well as falcons. You will love these unique meadows. Have your camera ready, because snapshots of the fauna in Extremadura are hard to capture.
Tablas de Daimiel National Park
If you like to be surrounded by nature, but at the same time soak up history, the Tablas de Daimiel (Ciudad Real) can be one of your stops. Of incalculable beauty, here you can see one of the oldest flour mills in the country. What is more sustainable than finding out about this ancient way of producing flour? Don't forget your blanket and picnic basket, because having a picnic in this area is a unique experience.
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
In the heart of the Pyrenees, you will breathe pure air in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park. Nature, history and tradition go hand in hand: see for yourself by walking the routes to the hermitages of Tella, to the witch's house in the same town and to the viewpoint Proas de O Castiello in Escuaín. Leave the car behind for a few days and tour this national park. You will certainly leave with some precious memories of Spain.
Picos de Europa National Park
To the west of the country (in Asturias, Cantabria and Leon), you can find the Picos de Europa National Park, with giant massifs where you will feel like you are in the clouds. Towering peaks where human activity is practically nil and the beauty of the plant and animal life has been preserved intact for centuries.
Sierra de Guadarrama and Montes de Valsaín National Park
Would you like to learn to identify the footprints of the species that live in a natural place? The little ones will love it and can do it at workshops organised in the Sierra de Guadarrama and Montes de Valsaín National Park. Viewpoints, gardens, mountain passes and paths unfold through this mountain range located between Segovia and Madrid.
National parks on the Canary Islands
If you want to add a trip to the past while hiking, surrounded by forests with species like the laurissilva (which dates back to the Tertiary Era), do not hesitate to visit the Garajonay National Park.Would you like to go camping on the island of La Palma and even spend the night there? At the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, following the premise of minimum environmental impact, permits are offered to camp in the park. The Teide – a jewel of the Canary Islands and the highest peak in Spain at almost 4,000 metres – also offers you the chance to spend the night and sleep “under the stars”. But there is more. If you are looking for a route to take during the day through the volcanic landscapes of the archipelago, the Timanfaya National Park is your destination. Coastal paths, but also through the peaks of Lanzarote, to discover another face to the Canary Islands beyond its dream beaches.
Other maritime national parks
If you prefer a maritime climate, the Cabrera Archipelago National Park (in the Balearic Islands) organises excursions in small groups to discover the local ecosystem. Would you fancy diving in one of the most characteristic corners of the Mediterranean? What if this plan also entailed practically zero environmental impact? Anchor, dive and sail around Cabrera and don't forget to capture the sunrise in the Mediterranean. At the Islas Atlánticas National Park, you can also dive and meet species of the Atlantic marine fauna.
