Adventure sports in Spain

These are plans for those seeking thrills and challenges in a natural environment. Here are some ideas for you to enjoy the great outdoors with activities such as canyoning, zip-lining or rafting. But not all the thrills of nature require physical effort – you might like to take a 4x4 route or take in spectacular views of the natural surroundings by way of a hot-air balloon flight.

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WHY SPAIN

Because it has a very high average number of daily hours of sunshine, mild temperatures in much of the territory throughout the year and because Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe. Its natural landscapes make it the ideal place for outdoor sports, and in fact Spain has more UNESCO Biosphere Reserves than any other country. Its nature is very diverse and ranges from lush forests to desert or volcanic terrain, from rivers and valleys to steep cliffs and high peaks.Keep in mind that it is essential to do most of these activities through specialised companies or with certified instructors. That way, you not only have fun and enjoy the environment, but also do so in the safest possible way.

Aventure in the province of Huesca, (Aragón)

CANYONING

The best time to go canyoning is the spring and summer months, although you can also do it in autumn.Although there are plenty of places to try canyoning in Spain, Guara Mountains and Canyons Natural Park (Huesca, Aragon) is outstanding, with one of the highest concentrations of canyons in Europe.The Pyrenees in general, and especially Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park and Picos de Europa National Park are very popular areas for canyoning in northern Spain.In central Spain, areas such as the Natural Parks of Serranía de Cuenca and Alto Tajo (Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha) and the Jerte Valley, La Vera and Las Hurdes in northern Extremadura are also well known.Notable spots in the south include Garganta Verde, Grazalema Natural Park (Cadiz), and the descent of rivers including Río Verde (Granada), the Trévelez (Sierra Nevada) and the Guadalmina (Malaga), for example.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

You can go white water rafting practically all year round, though we advise you to check in advance. Moreover, it is a sport that is suitable for everyone, and programmes geared towards children are very common throughout Spain.In Spain, you have two of the most well-known rivers for rafting in Europe, the Noguera Pallaresa and the Noguera Ribagorzana, in Lleida (Pyrenees). Other popular areas in the Pyrenees are the rivers Cinca, Gállego, Ésera and Ara, in Huesca. The recommended time of the year for rafting in this area stretches from the thaw months (around March and April) to October.The Miño river in Galicia is a really fun and accessible destination for rafting, particularly in and around the vicinity of Arbo. The main spots in Cantabria and Asturias are the Alto Ebro and the area around Picos de Europa National Park, the river Cares and the river Deva.

Inland Spain also has some popular rafting areas, including the river Júcar and the Cabriel on its course through Cuenca (Castile-La Mancha) and the Valencia region, and Sierra de Gredos (between Madrid and Avila or Salamanca, in Castile and Leon).Andalusia also boasts rafting destinations worth a visit: the upper stretch of the river Guadalquivir, mainly where it passes through Jaén; the cliffs of Rincón de la Victoria and the river Genil, on the Costa del Sol (Malaga); the Cabo de Gata area in Almería; and the Zahara de los Atunes reservoir in Cadiz.These are just some of the most popular rafting destinations, but you can go water rafting practically anywhere in the country.

ADVENTURE PARKS AND TYROLEAN TRAVERSE

Adventure parks are enclosed areas in the countryside where you can pursue a wide range of activities such as ziplines, snowshoeing, archery, orienteering, climbing, airsoft, fixed rope parks and much more.They are ideal places for a day of adventure activities in the open air. Many of them also have programs specially designed for the little ones.

Off-roading in the Doñana National Park in Huelva (Andalusia)

4X4 TOURS

The real adventure is to venture on an ATV into rugged landscapes that are difficult to access or extremely vast, You will find planned routes throughout the country, along duly authorised tracks, as well as network of livestock trails.Other interesting landscapes you can visit in a 4x4 include the semi-desert of Bardenas Reales Natural Park in Navarre, or the flatlands of Delta del Ebro Natural Park (Catalonia).

NATURE FROM A HOT-AIR BALLOON

You can also fly over nature areas in Spain. One of the best options is hot air balloon flights. Enjoy a noiseless, hassle-free flight with the air as your guide. If you want to feel like a bird, there are a hot-air balloon flights to choose from practically all around the country.There is plenty to choose from in Castile and Leon from April to October, when you can fly over areas like Montaña Palentina, Sierra de Francia, Sabinar de Calatañazor, and Arribes del Duero, to name just a few. There are plenty of options in Catalonia, such as seeing the Pyrenees from the air, or the volcanic landscape of the Olot Valley in La Garrotxa, an area with an extraordinary concentration of extinct volcanoes.Another option is to fly over long stretches of vineyards in La Rioja, seeing the Pyrenees in the distance. Or you might like to fly over olive groves in Andalusia and Toledo (Castile-La Mancha). If you prefer to fly with a view of the sea, there is a wide range of options on the Costa Brava, in Mallorca, the Basque Country or the region of Valencia. By the way, keep in mind that the best time to start your flight is first thing in the morning.

A hot-air balloon flight over the vineyards of La Rioja

Multi-adventures in Spain