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Best Hiking and Walking Trails in Spain

April 20, 2018 By Jillian

If you’re planning on going on a hiking holiday soon, but still haven’t decided on a destination, then you shouldn’t look any further. Regardless of whether you’re an experienced hiker or have just recently started to enjoy this activity, Spain will be the perfect getaway for you. This country’s landscape is incredibly diverse, so exploring it will surely be quite an adventure. Here are some of the best walking and hiking trails in Spain to traverse on your first trip.

The Cami dels Bons Homes

Also known as the Path of the Good Men, this trail takes around 5 days to complete, and is recommended for experienced hikers. It begins in the south of France and ends in Berga, Catalonia. On the Cami dels Bons Homes, you will encounter enchanting forests, ancient ruins, breathtaking valleys, and alluring views. If you like peace and quiet, then it’s recommended that you embark on this journey either before or after high season. In other words, you should plan your holiday either for May or September if you’d like to have the trail mostly to yourself.

Via de la Plata

The Via de la Plata is a hiking trail that will take you from Seville to Santiago and it is in fact the longest pilgrim route in Spain. By completing this hike, you will be able to obtain a certificate of pilgrimage. Although it may be long, you won’t face a lot of rough terrain on this journey, which means that people new to hiking are welcome to enjoy this trail. Most people go on this route in the summer. However, it’s important to note that it can be extremely hot in Spain during this season. With that being said, you can also plan your journey in spring or autumn. If you’d like to share this adventure with a group of people, you can go on an organized tour.

Cami de Rodes

If you’d prefer a much shorter hike, then the Cami de Rodes is the perfect trail for you. This route will take you to an alluring former Benedictine monastery known as the Sant Pere de Rodes. Although there are many walking paths that will take you to this monastery, you will inevitably have to get through rocky terrain and walk uphill for a half an hour in order to reach it. Nevertheless, once you go up here, you will be greeted by a breathtaking view.

El Camino Natural del Ebro

This walking trail will take you on a journey following a river down from its source to the sea. On this expedition, you will be able to see divine Spanish landscapes, beautiful oak forests, and stunning deep canyons. During most of your hike, you will be walking parallel to the Ebro River. Nevertheless, there are some minor deviations from this route that you’ll face along the way.

Via Ferrada de la Cala del Moli

The Via Ferrada de la Cala del Moli is a hiking trail on the coast of northern Spain that involves a lot of rock climbing. It is a protected climbing route and offers safety cables, which means that even novice climbers can enjoy it. It’s suitable for most people. However, beginners may find it challenging. Keep in mind that you will be able to go through an escape route halfway through the trail if you find it too difficult.

Experienced climbers can complete the whole trail in two hours, and are rewarded with amazing views. The route follows cliffs around the inlets of Cala Alga, Es Fjorn, and Cala Moli. One of the highlights of this trail is the four bridges that you’ll be passing, placed right above the clear water.

About the Author

Becca is a traveling translator and night owl, blogging at RoughDraft. While she has been to more than 80 countries so far, she has only properly explored about a dozen, so her travel wishlist only keeps expanding.

Kayaking Kauai’s Na Pali Coast

September 20, 2017 By Jillian

Kayaking the Na Pali Coast is not a leisurely paddle through some pretty scenery. It is a full on, strenuous 17 mile ocean kayaking experience that happens to have some of the most breath taking views in the world. Deemed by National Geographic as the second best adventure in the country, it doesn’t disappoint. We were fortunate enough to set off in early July, when the weather was calm (read: no wind), the seas were calm (read: no helpfully strong current) and the wildlife active (read: can you ever get tired of seeing sea turtles?). But it wasn’t until we set off from Ha’ena Beach Park and kayaked a mile around to the “last take out point” at Ke’e Beach that I had a real idea of what we were getting into. Like any activity, the first few miles are exciting, exhilarating, and most often than not a period of “breaking in”. Not exactly an avid ocean kayaker (not too many oceans here in Charlotte), and since I haven’t been regular in the whitewater boat for several years my kayaking skills were a bit rusty. Not to mention we were placed in a tandem kayak (read: divorce boat). With so many adventure races behind us that required tandem paddling, you’d think we would have learned to work together in the boat better. Alas, we have not and the tandem boat is still a cause for discord. Our boats always come with too many captains and not enough sailors. So the first mile was a bit of an adjustment, but we were flying high on the fact we had hiked in and out from Kalalalu beach in a day and felt invincible. With 3,000 foot cliffs looming ahead and the promise of some amazing sea caves, unspoiled beaches and wildlife views, I ignored the questioning feeling in my head and set my paddle to moving us down the coastline.

The first seven miles along the Na Pali Coast to Kalalau beach were beautiful. The full Na Pali Coast is in view and you feel like you are on a secret path between the soaring cliffs and the immense Pacific Ocean. The water is a perfect cerulean color, like something straight out of a crayon box, and perfectly clear. You can see the bottom of the ocean 40, 50 in some places 60 feet below. It was incredible to catch a glimpse of an endangered green sea turtle or the many fish swimming below. Our group of 7 got a great kick out of seeing the scenery we had hiked two days before, this time from a different perspective. The trail, which had looked so high while walking, seemed impossibly steep in some areas from a few thousand feet below. When we arrived to Kalalau beach we were all thrilled to see the white sand beach again and spent some time loosening our muscles by swimming off shore.

The stretch to Kalalau Beach was boring in comparison to what happened after we left and paddled further up the Na Pali Coast. Dipping in and out of pitch black sea caves, open-ceiling grottoes, under waterfalls that drop into the ocean, the coast’s twists and turns, we felt as though we had discovered a place of magic. It is hard not to be emotionally swept away by the impressive rock formations bathed in warm sunlight with turquoise water crashing on them as the waves come in. This area of the coast is sacred to the ancient Hawaiians who used the coastline as a training ground. There are some beaches on which it is forbidden to land a boat out of respect for the ancient traditions. Our guides filled us in on the human and natural history of this breathtaking area. And then the endangered green sea turtles began to appear. A few had graced us with their presence earlier in the trip, but at this point we started to see so many it was virtually unbelievable. It seemed that dozens of green sea turtles swam under and around us for the next few miles, with our fellow kayakers shouting “turtle” every few minutes.

As we passed a green sea turtle nest on shore we came to Milolii Beach, at the tip of the Na Pali Coast. I wish we had planned ahead to spend the night there. Not a lush paradise, the beach felt like a shipwreck settlement with a few trees, a faucet for running water and a small shelter for picnic tables. But the peaceful ease of the place, and the sense of being completely at the end of the earth looking out at the vast ocean – that is what drew me to want to stay. Camping is allowed on the beach by permit of the Hawaii State Park system for up to three days. One of our kayak compatriots spent a night there with his children years ago and said the monk seals come at night to rest and relax, making it a wild wildlife experience. No monks seals graced us with their presence while we were there, but all the better.

Past Milolii the geography changes with the wind. Less foliage and smaller cliffs make it less interesting, but no less beautiful. As Catamarans began to pass further out at sea, and boat traffic increased it was clear that civilization was rapidly approaching. Within site of our take out point at Polihale State Park we suddenly spotted dolphins far out to sea. Paddling furiously (read: this is a subjective term, remember we are still on divorce boat) we caught the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins playing in the water. Swimming directly under us and around us, the pod of dolphins was not shy and spent several minutes entertaining us. Doing their namesake spinning jumps, our whole group realized how lucky we were when our guide, a native to the island, got excited. We never got a truly accurate count, but perhaps we saw two dozen dolphins in our area.

Finally we reached Kauai’s Polihale State Park. Our arms and torsos were tired, our legs were cramped, but we were in great spirits. Attempting to body surf our way onto shore, we looked something like beached whales to the families enjoying an afternoon picnic on the beach. As the water glimmered in the late afternoon sun we packed up our gear and headed back around the island (in a van!) to complete the full circumnavigation of Kauai.

If you go

We booked our Na Pali Coast Kayak Tour through Kayak Kauai. Our guides were highly skilled, professional and fun. Our equipment was in good condition and we would highly recommend using this tour operator. Both of our guides were locals and the organization also helps sponsor a Na Pali Coast annual clean up. This was a strenuous ocean paddle and not for children or people in poor physical condition. We spent nearly 8 hours on the water – bringing adequate sun screen and shade is essential.

The Serengeti In The Summer

June 2, 2017 By Jillian

Editor’s Note: You know we loved seeing animals in Africa, so when this guest post opportunity came up from African Wildlife Content we had to jump on it! Love seeing how much the area has stabilized.

A mere 15 years ago, the Western Corridor of the Serengeti had been devastated by rampant poaching and uncontrolled hunting, leaving this stretch of wilderness nearly barren and dry. Visiting the area today would present you with a dramatically different view. In 2002 the Singita Grumeti Fund was granted the right to conserve and manage the area, which spans 350000 acres, and the animal populations in the area has rebounded significantly since then. In fact, it is hard to imagine the devastation, when we are presented with the thriving eco system we see today. The region once again boasts an impressive variety of wildlife, which makes for exceptional viewing. There is nothing quite like seeing these majestic creatures in the natural habitat from your African safari lodge. Here are some of the highlights we’ve gathered from the region’s recent wildlife reports.

Elephants

Elephants are sighted daily across the concession. Quite a large breeding herd, approximately 300 elephants, was spotted recently on the concession. Visitors were treated to some fantastic sights as the herd remained in the area for a period of 2 weeks.

Lions

The last few months have been exceptional for lion sightings with sightings in a single month totaling as many as 144. The prides in the area are thriving and none of the cubs have been killed or lost. Two prides in the area, the Nyasirori and Butamtam, has recently welcomed a few new arrivals. Each pride now has 3 new cubs, which are approximately 3 weeks old, and more are expected this year. There are several females who are pregnant and 4 active mating pairs have been sighted.

Leopards

Leopard sightings have recently been dominated by a mother and her 2 cubs. The family tallied 32 separate sightings along the Mbogo drainage, making up a large percentage of the leopard sightings. Two territorial males were spotted during the month. There were only a handful of sightings due to the sheer size of their territories.

Cheetahs

Conditions have also been ideal for viewing cheetahs with two families regularly spotted on the concession. A mother with 3 cubs (“mother with 3”) and a mother with one cub (“mother with 1”) were spotted throughout December. Visitors were treated to the holy grail of big cat viewing as the mother’s went out on several hunts, showing us just how hard these creatures work to take care of their young.

Special Sightings

We have also seen increased wild dog activity in general. The pack is on the move, on the hunt for prey, and are currently not denning. Denning is when a pack chooses a den site to remain at, while their new pups are born. Of the 12 wild dog sightings, 8 resulted in a kill, which is incredible given this species’ rarity and endangered status.

The abundance of wildlife here is something we are quite proud of, and it’s fantastic to see these beautiful animals gaining in numbers once more.

If this has wet your appetite for safari and you’d like to see more animal pictures from our time in Africa, click the collage below:

Skipping the Crowds in Tuscany

April 11, 2017 By Jillian

It’s hard to believe it has been more than 10 years since I first stepped off the plane in Rome to live in Florence for a semester. It was a long bus ride to Florence, made better by the views, which only increased in stereotypical Tuscan colors as the sun neared the horizon an d we neared Florence. Grand stone buildings, wide avenues, tiny alleys, we had finally arrived. So had the first trickling of the hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Florence each year, many of them booking luxury accommodations in Tuscany. We were all enchanted by the same thing – the romance, the color, the light, the magic.

By the time throngs of tourists descended on Florence just before Easter it was time to get out of the city and escape the crowd. Don’t get me wrong, I love the history, culture and art of Florence, but so does everyone else. Here are two of my favorite places to avoid the crowds in Florence while still enjoying the enchantment of Tuscany.

Fiesole

Fortunately the closest escape is a short bus ride from Florence’s center, so if you are the type of person who wants to pop in and out of the city on your vacation this is a good place to center yourself. Fiesole sits perched on a hill above the city, but with its quieter streets, surrounding olive orchards and villas, it seems a world away. Fiesole is the kind of place most people drive through without stopping, but if you are the type that wants to stop and smell the roses, soak up the experience, or enjoy the magic of the Tuscan hills Fiesole is a good place for you.

If you are the hiking or leisurely strolling sort, there are a lot of beautiful roads to travel in Fiesole. You can easily walk from the center of Florence to Fiesole in about an hour. Remember it is mostly uphill, so wear comfortable shoes. Perhaps the better way is to walk from Fiesole down to Florence. You can follow a map, or more adventurously just follow gravity and continue to walk down the slope. There are several shops off the main Piazza in Fiesole if you want to purchase picnic supplies in town and set yourself up on the side of the Monastery of San Angelo. There’s a few bench overlooking the terraced hills down to Florence – a breathtaking view of the city without the crowds!

If you’re looking for something more quiet and adventurous take a walk from Fiesole to a nearby town, like Settignano. We took a bike tour, but you can also walk from Fiesole to the top of Montececeri and then into the village of Settignano. I did this with both my Dad (on foot) and my roommates Mom and Aunt (on bike), so it’s age friendly. If you’re a history or culture buff you may appreciate the historical significance of Montecerceri – this is where Leonardo Da Vinci is said to have taken his flying machine to test it. The hill is also dotted with caves, quarries and Etruscan ruins, so it’s a great place to “get lost” without fearing a night in the woods. When you’re ready for a drink, or some nourishment, head down to Settignano, a blink if you miss it kind of place that has real charm. Not much of a tourist attraction, the town is known for being the home of Michelangelo and the marble quarries that produced some of the Renaissance’s most famous sculptures. Roman ruins, like almost everywhere else in Italy, are intertwined with the most modern of engineering feats, so don’t ignore an outcropping of old stones.

Lucca

Slightly further afield, closer to Pisa is Lucca. I fell in love with Lucca from the first moment I saw it. A city still enveloped by its Renaissance-era walls, Lucca has the buzz of Florence without the extreme crowds and tour groups. It’s the perfect place to feel like a local, to indulge in la dulce far niente, or the sweetness of doing nothing. If you are looking for a place to sit in a piazza, sip wine or enjoy a gelato without any interruption in your day, this is the place to be. Any one of the large or small piazzas will make for the perfect backdrop to a vacation of indulging in Tuscany’s food, culture or drink. The area surrounding Lucca is rolling hills of vineyards and medieval towns and ruins, still vibrant with life and culture today. Now do you understand where my love of the city comes from?

The best way to experience Lucca is to do so on foot. Am I sounding like a broken record? But seriously, Italy is meant for walking. The medieval town walls are still intact and now serve as a sidewalk of sorts around old town Lucca. Beyond the pleasure of being slightly above the streets and parks, the Passeggiata delle Mura crosses the major areas of the city, allowing you do to a “highlights” tour on foot without car traffic. You can also rent a bike and in the summer you may find yourself in the midst of a cultural show or play on the Passeggiata. If you are a history lover, you’ll notice that the wall is one of the largest intact star shaped walls left in Europe. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll notice that different trees are planted on each of the main sides of the wall.

One thing I love about Tuscany are the old churches. Each has it’s own look, feel and ambiance, with each architect, sculptor or painter trying to outdo someone else. You don’t need to be religious to appreciate the artistry and magic of these churches or in the major city centers either. Some refer to Lucca as the city of 100 churches. While I can’t speak to the number of churches, I can offer that they are distinct in style (more similar to Pisa!), and the Duomo di Lucca, unlike those of the large cities, only faces a small square. To me this is symbolic of Lucca as a whole – unpretentious, yet a gem not to be missed!

I learned quickly that no matter where you go in Tuscany you will be surrounded by delicious food, decadent wine and some of the most hospitable people on the planet. When you’re ready to escape the crowds of Florence, consider giving Fiesole or Lucca a try!

Tips to ride a bike safety for your kids

January 30, 2017 By Guest Blogger

[Editor’s Note: Now that our kids are well on their way to leaving their balance bikes behind and have started mountain biking themselves, we’ve been trying to teach them about bike safety. When Denise emailed us about doing a guest post we figured it was a great opportunity for us to learn something too!]

When allowing your child to ride their bikes, naturally you watch over them and make sure their safe. When children are riding their bikes, they also need the tools to keep themselves safe. Riding a bike is a wonderful experience, great exercise, and a great way to spend your free time; however, being safe when riding is critical to protect yourself and your children from potential falls, head injuries, and hazardous accidents.

Here are some tips to help your child to be bike safe and to remember to obey all the rules when riding their bike.

Helmets

Helmets are important for children when riding bikes. In most states, children under 18 are required by law to wear a helmet; some states are 15-17, and others are all ages. Helmets are very important in a case of falling. Helmets help to protect your head and neck from injuries that could be fatal or cause serious brain and neck trauma.

When deciding on a helmet, make sure to pick an appropriately sized helmet. You want the helmet to fit your head, but not be too snug or too loose. It needs to be comfortable and fit well. A helmet can be the difference between a life-threatening injury.

Reflectors

Making sure your children’s reflectors work are important to all children no matter the time of day. Glasses help in the dawn, daytime, dusk, and nighttime riding for vehicles to see the riders clearly. Wearing a reflective sash is also recommended for children since they are smaller than an adult.

Reflectors help reduce the risk of accidents involving vehicles and allow vehicles to move over (if possible) for the riders. Always make sure the reflectors are working and aren’t broken.

Protective Gear

Knee pads and elbow pads are good at preventing injuries when a child is prone to still falling off their bike. Padding helps to protect from scratches and cosmetic damage, as well as contributes to cushion the bones when falling on them. This can prevent future damage done to bones that can cause arthritis and joint pain as they age.

Padding is also great in giving kids more confidence in their riding. When they know that they can fall and it won’t hurt as bad, they are willing to continue trying to ride rather than give up. It’s a great confidence booster!

Proper Bike Size

Children are often riding bikes too big for them or too small. It’s important for your child to have a bike that fits them. Otherwise, riding could be dangerous and a hazard to others. Children should be able to sit

on the seat of the bike with their hands on the handlebars, and the balls of their feet should touch the ground. This is the perfect size for your child.

Those growth spurts make it difficult, but remember you can always adjust the bike seat and handlebar height while they continue to grow. Keep an eye on where they place their feet for times when the seat and handlebars should be heightened to allow for comfortable and safe riding.

Obey Traffic Laws

Make sure your children know to ride with traffic and to follow the stop signs and lights when riding with traffic. Make sure to teach your child the proper hand signals if your country uses them.

Teach children how to use crosswalks with their bikes properly. Make sure they get off their bike, press the button and walk their bike across when directed. This will prevent any accidents involving pedestrians who also make use of the crosswalk and teach your child to be a courteous bike rider.

Night Riding

Make sure your child never rides alone at night. Riding a bike alone, no matter the gear they have with them is especially dangerous. Night riding requires special skill, biking experience, and a lot of multitasking to make sure you and cars are a safe distance from one another.

Night riding can be tiresome for children, causing them to become drowsy. If your child must ride at night, make sure an adult is supervising them.

Respect the Road

Make sure your kids aren’t playing on the road on their bikes. This can be hazardous for approaching vehicles, prevent emergency vehicles from reaching their destination in a timely manner, and could put your child at risk of an accident.

Always make sure your child knows the appropriate places to ride a bike and their boundaries. Busy roadways can be very dangerous for children and can put them in danger of a fatal accident.

Pay Attention

Make sure your kids know not to listen to music or play with their phone while riding. Distracted riding can lead to injuries, falls, and accidents. It’s important to pay attention to your surroundings and listen to anything that may be important, such as a parent calling for you, and the emergency vehicle coming closer, or a tornado warning.

You should also pay attention to young children who may run out in front of you, or a loose dog. These can cause you to lose control if suddenly taken off guard by not paying attention or being distracted.

Talk to Your Child

It’s a great time to sit your child down and explain to them the boundaries of riding their bike and the rules. Make sure they know how to put their helmet on and to wear any protective gear they may need. Bike safety is very important for children to learn, as it helps them as they get older and continue to ride their bike.

Make sure your children know why it’s important to follow the rules, wear a helmet, and ride along with traffic, rather than against it. In some instances, it’s good to set up punishments in case the rules are broken, and they push past their boundaries.

There are many cases where children are hurt due to lack of knowledge when riding or being distracted. Some kids wear helmets, while others don’t and it’s important to keep yourself protected from anything that could potentially happen to you. Make sure to keep your children safe by teaching them how to be safe when riding a bike.