Exciting outdoor adventure activities to try in Spain
Adventure tourism is booming across Europe and Spain. In fact, Spain ranks as one of the top countries for adventure travel with 15% of Spaniards preferring adventure trips over all other types of vacations — the highest rates out of all European travellers.
From rugged hills and mountains to beautiful coasts and beaches, Spain offers an excellent variety of terrains complemented by ideal weather conditions. It’s then no wonder that Spain is such a hotspot for adventure activities and adrenaline junkies.
Caving in Picos de Europa
If caving and exploring other subterranean holes appeals to you, exploring Picos de Europa is an unmissable opportunity. Located on the north coast of Spain, Picos de Europa is home to over 400km of caves and caverns, including some of the deepest in the world. For example, the cave of Tinganón — also known as the cathedral of caving — is one kilometre long with an entrance sitting 40 meters above ground. It offers many areas of great beauty, including small lakes, tunnels, and waterfalls inside the cave. Or, the Cave of Pando is ideal for both beginner cavers and children. It’s fairly flat and circular and home to plenty of interesting rock formations.
Hunting in Las Barracas, Mallorca
Regardless of people’s feelings towards hunting, it still thrives in Spain. However, instead of collecting trophies for the living room wall, the targets get eaten, with very little waste. One of Spain’s most beautiful Balearic Islands, Mallorca — aside from being an extremely popular vacation destination — is an excellent spot for shooting partridge and ducks. Located between Andratx and Calviá, Las Barracas offers around 1000 hectares of shooting grounds featuring unique vegetation and terrain complemented by stunning views of the Tramuntana mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. From autumn to spring, average temperatures here fall between 18º to 20ºC, making these pleasant temperate seasons ideal for either walking or driving shooting excursions. During your hunt, it helps to have a reloading press, which helps you reload your own rounds. Reloading your ammunition (instead of buying bullets) can save you money, as well as help you improve your performance.
Dirt biking in Andalucía
Home to a host of endless dusty, off-road tracks, Andalucía is the perfect dirt biking destination for people of all skills and abilities — whether you’re completely new to dirt biking or a pro looking for a challenge. Andalucía’s thousands of trails loop and zigzag around the magnificent Sierra de Almijara mountain range. And, with such limitless variety on offer, you can look forward to continually exploring new tracks and trails — there’s no need to visit the same route twice. A renowned location of natural beauty, the mountain range is also one of Spain’s most significant areas of dolomitic marble. The gradual process of erosion gives the area its unique and characteristic grey and white tones.
Spain is the ideal location for adventure activities and travel. Whether you’re caving in Picos de Europa, hunting in Las Barracas, or dirt biking in Andalucía, you’re bound to have an unforgettable time on your next outdoor adventure trip in Spain.
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
