Looking for lesser-known and secret hikes in Spain? – Let me share with you some of my favorite trails to enjoy the vibrant Spanish nature on your own.

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Secret places for hiking in Spain

Secret hikes in Spain

Hiking and exploring Spain’s natural wonders has been a major part of my life during more than 15 years as an expat on the Iberian Peninsula. The hiking trails featured in this post are ideal for travelers who want to experience nature without the crowds.

These routes are especially suited for those who have already visited Spain’s more famous hikes – such as the Cola de Caballo or Congost de Mont-rebei – and are now looking to discover lesser-known trails favored mostly by locals.

If you’re new to hiking in Spain, I recommend starting with my other articles, Best Places for Hiking in Spain and Hiking in the Pyrenees, which cover many of the country’s true bucket-list hikes.

Sendero Botanico de Hoz de Beteta / Serrania de Cuenca

Serrania de Cuenca Natural Park is one of the must-see places in the Castile La-Mancha region of Central Spain. This natural park has three info points, which you can visit for travel advice and maps – in Tragacete, Uña, and Valdemeca. Check the schedules before going, since these three are not open all year round.

During our recent Cuenca road trip, I completely fell in love with Hoz de Beteta – one of the most unique natural landscapes in the Serranía de Cuenca. The area is full of hidden hiking trails, making it a true gem for nature lovers in Spain.

We explored the Sendero Botánico de Hoz de Beteta, an easy 2.6 km trail featuring wooden walkways and ancient linden trees (you can find the route details on Wikiloc). Even though we visited in December, well outside the peak greenery season, the hike was still amazing.

On our next visit to Cuenca, we’re planning to tackle another trail, the Sendero de las Librerías (you can find the route details on Wikiloc here), and visit the nearby Cascada de Castro waterfall (you can find the route details on Wikiloc here).

Camino Natural del Rio Guadalaviar / Sierra de Albarracin

One of my favorite recent secret hikes has been the trail Camino Natural del Rio Guadalaviar (you can find the route details on Wikiloc here) near Teruel, one of the most underrated Spanish cities.

The trail is a lesser-known alternative to the popular Spanish hikes that involve riverside walkways, like Parrizal de Beceite (explored during my trip to Matarranya) and Pasarelas de Alquezar (visited during my Aragon Road Trip). Camino Natural del Rio Guadalaviar is an easy trail along the river Guadalaviar. The hike starts in the small village of San Blas. The whole itinerary is around 7 km and we enjoyed doing it with the kids.

Bosque de Carlac Trail / The Spanish Pyrenees

During my weekend in the Catalan Pyrenees, I absolutely loved hiking the Ruta del Bosque de Carlac (you can find the route details on Wikiloc here). The trail starts in the tiny village of Bausen, near the French border. Interestingly, many Spanish websites describe this route as “an easy walk.” I’m glad I didn’t bring the kids – while the hike is perfectly doable for families and easier than the Astún Lakes hike we did on our Pyrenees road trip with children, it’s definitely not just a casual stroll.

Bosque de Carlac is an intermediate-level circular trail, approximately 6.5 km long, with an elevation gain of +275 meters. We completed it clockwise, unlike most of the other hikers we encountered along the way.

What I loved most about this hike was its rare combination of mountain panoramas and enchanting forest scenery. The route begins in the village of Bausen and climbs past old, abandoned houses that feel wonderfully mysterious. From the very first minutes, you’re treated to sweeping views of the Spanish Pyrenees before the trail leads you into one of Spain’s most magical forests – the Bosque de Carlac. This hidden natural setting, filled with ancient trees, feels straight out of a fairytale.

The Millenary Olive Trees Route in Castellon

The Millenary Olive Trees route (or “Ruta de los olivos milenarios” in Spanish) is one of the must-do experiences in the province of Castellon. This circular 5,8-km-long hiking trail starts in the small village of Canet lo Roig (you can find the route details on Wikiloc here). The hike takes you across the field full of 2000-year-old olive trees, most of which have been present in the region since the times of the Roman Empire in Spain.

You can still find bottles of millenary olive oil in local shops throughout the Castellón region, making it one of the most unique food souvenirs you can bring home from Spain. Just imagine how many generations have come and gone over the past 2,000 years – while these ancient olive trees are still standing.

Although the Greek island of Crete is famous for having some of the oldest olive trees in the world, with some estimated to be over 3,000 years old, Canet lo Roig is home to the largest concentration of millenary olive trees in the Valencia Region – around 1,131 trees as of 2019. Nearby villages such as Traiguera and Sant Mateu also boast their own millenary olive tree routes.

You can read more about this fascinating hike here.

S3 Rodellar – Otin in Sierra de Guara Natural Park

Sierra de Guarra is a mountain massif right next to the beautiful town of Alquezar. Located in the Pre-Pyrenees of Spain, this area is a popular spot for rock climbing and other adventurous activities in Spain.

My recent discovery was a hiking trail S3 Rodellar-Otin (you can find the route details on Wikiloc here). It starts in the small town of Rodellar and takes one to the abandoned village of Otin. This itinerary offers some of the best views of Sierra de Guara Natural Park. While we met a few Spaniards on the go, this trail is still undiscovered by international travelers. You can read more about this unique hiking trail here.

Ruta del Barranco de La Hoz in Calomarde

In the small town of Calomarde, set in the Sierra de Albarracin area of Teruel Province, you can find a cute fluvial trail called Ruta del Barranco de La Hoz. You can check the details via Wikiloc here.

This route is such a pleasant walk, especially cool once you reach the metal walkways along the gorge. Since it is not a circular itinerary, you can return at any time – so it´s a great match for the family travels in Spain. You can read more about this trail and Sierra de Albarracin in this post.

Fuentes de Ayodar y Pozo Negro in The Province of Castellon

The trail Fuentes de Ayodar y Pozo Negro was one of my recent discoveries while hiking in Castellon. This route is only 3 km long and it starts near the small town of Fuentes de Ayodar, at the parking Aparcamiento Pozo Negro. Here´s a similar itinerary on Wikiloc.

Also, there are longer alternatives to explore more unique spots in the area, like this one. During the summer months, this area is a popular spot for the locals – but the rest of the year you´ll barely meet people on this itinerary and the landscape is otherworldly beautiful.

The Penyagolosa Peak in the Province of Castellon

Penyagolosa (1813m) is regarded as the most iconic mountain in the Valencian Community and the second highest peak in the Valencia Region, situated in the Province of Castellon. The hike to Penyagolosa (you can find the route details on Wikiloc here) is considered one of the best trails in Castellon.

This hike is particularly appealing as it remains largely undiscovered by international visitors, though it does attract locals on weekends. You can read more details about the hike in this post.

Map of the secret Spanish hikes

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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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