What to Walk Instead of the Camino de Santiago

About Spain

The Camino de Santiago is extraordinary. There’s a reason it has drawn travellers across northern Spain for over a thousand years.

But it isn’t the only way to experience Spain on foot.

In fact, some of the most memorable walking journeys in Spain happen far away from the pilgrimage trail. Fewer crowds. Wilder landscapes. And the freedom to shape the journey exactly how you like it.

If you love the idea of a walking holiday but want something a little different, these are three of my favourite alternatives.

Cami de Cavalls, Menorca

One of the most beautiful walking routes in the Mediterranean circles the entire island of Menorca.

The Cami de Cavalls is a 180 kilometre loop that hugs the island’s coastline, weaving between clifftops, pine forests and quiet coves where the water is the colour of turquoise glass.

Some days you walk high above the sea with views stretching endlessly along the coast. Other days the path drops down to beaches where you can stop for a swim before continuing on.

It’s a route that invites you to slow down.

A morning walk.
A swim in impossibly clear water.
Lunch somewhere overlooking the sea.

Another lovely thing about the Cami de Cavalls is its flexibility. You can stay in beautiful boutique hotels or simpler rural accommodation, depending on your style and budget. Your luggage moves ahead of you, so the walking remains light and enjoyable.

And while most people walk the trail, it can also be explored on horseback or by bike, which adds a completely different dimension to the experience.

For travellers who love swimming, sunshine and the rhythm of the Mediterranean, it’s a spectacular journey.

Picos de Europa, Asturias

If Menorca is all turquoise water and coastal paths, the Picos de Europa offer something entirely different.

This dramatic mountain range rises sharply from the green countryside of Asturias in northern Spain. Limestone peaks, deep valleys and remote villages scattered through the landscape.

Walking here feels wild and elemental.

The trails climb through alpine pastures, along ridgelines and into high mountain basins where cows graze beneath towering cliffs.

Accommodation is rustic but atmospheric, often small mountain lodges or rural inns serving hearty Asturian food. After a long day in the mountains you’ll likely find yourself eating slow-cooked stews, local cheeses and perhaps a glass of sidra, the region’s traditional cider.

This is serious walking country.

The rewards are enormous, but the terrain is challenging, with higher altitudes and longer hiking days. For experienced walkers who love big landscapes and a sense of remoteness, it’s one of Spain’s most spectacular regions.

Costa da Morte, Galicia

On the far western edge of Galicia lies the Costa da Morte, a rugged stretch of Atlantic coastline that feels wonderfully untamed.

The name translates to “Coast of Death”, a reference to the many shipwrecks that once occurred along these wild shores. Today it’s a place of dramatic cliffs, pounding waves and fishing villages that still feel deeply connected to the sea.

Walking here is both powerful and peaceful.

The path follows headlands and beaches, passing lighthouses and small harbours where fishermen unload their catch. Along the way you’ll find quiet coves perfect for a swim and tiny coastal towns where lunch might be a plate of freshly grilled fish or shellfish pulled from the ocean that morning.

The seafood here is exceptional. Galicia is famous for it, and the Costa da Morte may be its purest expression.

It’s also wonderfully uncrowded. Even in summer you can walk long stretches of coastline without seeing many other people.

For travellers who love the ocean, fresh seafood and big Atlantic landscapes, this is a remarkable place to explore on foot.

Choosing the Right Walk

One of the beautiful things about Spain is how varied the landscapes are.

Mediterranean islands.
Wild Atlantic coasts.
High mountain ranges.

Each offers a completely different walking experience.

The Camino remains one of the world’s great journeys, but sometimes the most memorable walks happen away from the famous routes, in places where the rhythm of the landscape still quietly shapes the day.

And when you find the right one, the formula is always the same.

Walk. Swim. Eat well. Sleep deeply.

Then do it all again tomorrow.

CREATE MY SPANISH EXPERIENCE