Walking in Galicia Spain - Information and Companies offering Walking Holidays



	Walking in Galicia Spain

Galicia is at the most north westerly tip of Spain and to the south borders Portugal. It offers a wide variety of walking opportunities for the independent walker and enthusiast alike. The scenery will remind you more of Ireland and Cornwall than Spain with its green and wooded valleys, sandy beaches and small coves. The beaches are fantastic with white or golden sand nestling in tranquil cool lagoons or beaten by crashing waves from the Atlantic.

Its lush green meadows are fed by the many rivers that flow through the province down from the Cantabrian mountains. The rivers give it the name of 'the land of a thousand rivers'. The cliffs of coastline have created many natural harbours and a plethora of fishing ports. Walking in this region is widespread and offers everyone something suitable for their fitness level. Its most famous city is Santiago de Compostela, renowned for its marvellous medieval district and its fantastic Saint James Cathedral. As the resting place of the apostle, St James, it has great significance in the Christian world and marks the end of the famous Camino de Santiago.

By the coast, during the months of May to September the temperatures are in the 20's°C the majority of the time, but you could experience some rain as in the other regions of this peninsula. Its rainfall is concentrated in the winter and spring months and Galicia's rainfall is actually less that that of the UK. But as one moves inland and you encounter the mountain ranges the weather is considerably colder and wetter. The ski resort of Ourense (Orense) is very popular and is on the regions south easterly border with Portugal and Castilla y Leon.

Airports
The regions airport is located in the A Coruna (Corruna) province of the north west, Santiago airport. Its location and the much improved road system gives you easy access to the other provinces of Galicia.

Santiago

Ferry Port
There is also the possibility of catching a ferry or a cruise ship to Gijon and then driving around 200km into the Lugo province of Galicia.

Gijon

Since the late 1970's it has been one of the autonomous regions of the Iberian Peninsula and much has been done to improve the roads into the area, cutting many journeys in half (Vigo to Madrid now 5hrs instead of 12hrs) now as you travel through the mountain ranges surrounding the region. The four provinces capital cities share their names and each has its own treasures to experience.

Walking Near A Coruna / La Corruna
The city is impressive and has some magnificent squares the Maria Pita is particularly noteworthy. A Coruna has La Torre de Hercules, the worlds oldest lighthouse, which is still used today to warn ships of the treacherous coastline. This region is the home of the famous Christian city of Santiago de Compostela and its spectacular cathedral, which has the St James tomb. Pilgrims and tourists alike enjoy the city's wonderful medieval district and its almost timeless state. The majority of the area's cobbled streets have vehicles banned so you can enjoy the sites in peace. There are many examples of fantastic Baroque, Gothic, Romanesque and Neo-classical architecture throughout the whole district.

Walking in Lugo
Sharing its borders with Asturias, the Lugo province is located on the northern Iberian coast. Its capital city, Lugo, resides on the banks of the river Mino and dates back to 14BC. The original city can only be accessed by one of its ten gates in its surrounding walls. Walking within the old city you will find historical monuments and a plethora of traditional cafes, bars and restaurants.

Walking in Pontevedra
The city of Pontevedra is home to the Nazarene Chapel which dates back to the middle ages. Its name tells us that the nuns who resided in the chapel only left the building when they died! Its beautiful scenery is carved by the Baixas river.

Walking Around Ourense
Is the only land locked province of Galicia, with the contrasting vegetation of the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates preserved in the natural park of Baixa Limi – Serra do Xures it provides wonderful and contrasting scenery. The city of Ourense has some wonderful examples of Iron-Age and Roman artefacts on display in its archaeological museum. You will travel over the Roman bridge to enter the city where you can visit its lovely 12th century cathedral. Just south of Ourense is the town of Celanova where you can visit the Sa Rosendo monastery founded in the 10th century, although the current building was constructed in the 16th century.

List of Companies Offering Walking Holidays in Galicia Spain

Name	Location	Accommodation
Hooked on Walking	Camino de Santiago	Hotel & Guesthouse
Waymark Holidays	Camino de Santiago	Hotel
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regional map showing galicia

Walking in Galicia

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