Castilla y León is one of the most visited regions in Spain thanks to their astonishing landscapes
A great variety of routes have been created in order to closely admire the stunning rural heritage in each of the provinces. The most important routes are the following:
Ávila has one of the most whole and marvelous natural landscapes of Castilla y León: Sierra de Gredos, with numerous lakes, a great variety of animals —especially the Spanish Ibex—, and the presence of Duero and Tajo rivers. There are several routes aimed to promote tourism in the area and enjoyment of the landscape. The most important of all are the Almanzor and Galana routes, La Mira por los Galayos, Laguna de los Caballerosk and the Molinos Harineros del Río de Santa María
What can be highlighted in Burgos are Las Merindades, a place full of routes to practice hiking and enjoy the wonderful landscape. The most characteristic parts, which can be easily accessible thanks to the routes, are Las Ruinas de Perros, Nevero del Poyuelo, La Tesla, Valle del Manzanero and Cañoneros, among many others.
Who does not know about the well-known Ruta del Cares? This route is one of the most well-known routes both in Castilla y León and Spain. Walking twelve kilometers from Asturias to León following the magnificent course of the Cares river. It is considered to be one of the most visited routes in Spain due to how easy and brief it is to walk.
Montaña Palentina is one of the provinces of Palencia and it is also one of the most gorgeous natural landscapes in Palencia. Within it, there are a lot of hiking routes since it is ideal to go to the mountain and enjoy the landscape. The most important route is undoubtedly Roblón de Estalaya. During its five kilometers walkabout, you can encounter a wide variety of flora and fauna characteristic of Palencia. As a curiosity, it can be said that at the end of this route, a 500 year old oak can be seen.
Salamanca has one of the most breath-taking routes in Spain: Ruta de los Humos. It consists of a 50+ meters waterfall situated in Las Arribes del Duero. The waterfall’s name is El Pozo de los Humos and as the name implies, water falls with such strength that it looks like smoke is coming out the rocks. You can go there by car, but we recommend walking there in order to enjoy its wonderful landscape while going through paths full of diverse flora and fauna.
Sendero de los Reales Sitios unites the small towns of La Granja, Valsaín and La Pradera de Navalhorno. Its creation is due to the great interest Charles III found in fishing trout and this is why most of the route goes through Pesquerías Reales —where the king used to fish—. This route gives the opportunity to closely appreciate one of the most spectacular places: Real Sitio de San Ildefonso. Its Palacio Real, Real Fábrica de Cristal and gardens full of fountains make it a place worthy of admiration.
This city is lucky enough to have one of the highest mountains ranges of the Iberian System: the so-called Picos de Urbión. There is a wide variety of hiking routes that go through this mountain range, unifying different places of interest. The most common routes are the climbing of Pico de Urbión from Laguna Negra, el Cordal de Urbión and the one that unites Santa Inés with Pico de Urbión through el Cordal.
Despite Valladolid being a place in which lowlands are the predominant landscape, hiking routes can also be found. The most important route in Valladolid is Canal de Castilla. It is divided in four channels: Canal del Norte, el ramal Canal de Campos, Canal Sur and Canal de Segovia and they have halts in Valladolid. This route not only offers the possibility of observing the flora and fauna but also offers the possibility of getting to know a lot of the places near to Canal de Castilla. Furthermore, some parts of the route can be done by canoe —which can be rented in different places— or by a touristic ship in Medina de Rioseco.
The routes created in Parque Natural de Lago de Sanabria and its surroundings are the most important ones. It consists of a space placed near the mountain ranges of Segundera and Cabrera that has as its main element the well-know Lago de Sanabria —the biggest lake of glacial origin in the Iberian Peninsula—. Its flora and fauna surround the lake creating a perfect ambiance to get lost in the landscape. The most important routes within this nature park are Peña Trevinca,Cañón de Forcadura, Laguna de las Yeguas, Cañón del Tera and Laguna de los Peces.
