In order to take advantage of the mild temperatures of Southern Europe, let's go to Spain with these three hikes to discover the trails of the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands.
1 : El Cinquè Llac
Centenary trees, secret monasteries, shepherd's paths... The path of El Cinquè Llac (the fifth lake in French) is located in the Terres de Lleida in Catalonia. In the middle mountains of the Pyrenees, it is a 105 km hike and a little more than 5,000 meters of positive altitude difference that awaits you if you attempt it in its entirety. In general, it takes five days to see the end of it.
Among the peaks that you will pass are those of Peracalç, the Serreta Pass and the Eagle Peak, while the walled city of Peramea is a must-see, where you should not miss the Romanesque church of Sant Cristòfol, the Colomers Tower or the Era de Ortega cultural center. The mysterious monastery of Torres, the ghostly village of La Bastida or the impressive Devil's Bridge are other places that you will visit as you walk along this path of El Cinquè Llac.
2 : Great crossing of Tenerife
Located in the Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco, the island of Tenerife offers a lunar landscape to hikers. Many professional road bike teams come here to train, because of the optimal temperatures all year round and the steepness of the island. In hiking, the choice is wide. The Great Crossing of Tenerife (also called "Latitud Tenerife") is usually done over seven days and a little over 110 km. Of course, it is possible to do only one day of walking on one or the other section of this route, which totals 5,400 meters of positive altitude difference.
September and October are perfect months to try the whole crossing which offers a variety of landscapes. From the coast to the volcanic desert, the Great Tenerife Crossing also passes at the foot of the volcanoes of Teide (3,715 m) and Pico Viejo (3135 m). The Teide is the summit of Spain and the third highest volcano in the world. Also on the program are the rock formations of Las Catedrales and Los Roques de García, emblematic of the Teide National Park. As for the "Corona forestal", its Canary pines will provide you with a saving shade during your walk in the forest.
3 : Crossing Asturias
From the Atlantic coast in the north of Spain, this trail crosses the Asturias region from north to south towards the city of León. It takes six days to cover this route of a little more than 100 km for 3100 meters of positive altitude difference. The Cares Route, also known as "The Divine Gorge", is a must. It takes you along a path carved in the limestone along the Cares River. The crossing of Asturias follows the GR100 for a long part. But it is better to have with you a precise map of the area or a GPS where to follow a track because the indications are not always well maintained on this route.
In Asturias, it is also common to come across hikers going to Santiago de Compostela. A second route called Camino del Norte passes through the region. This route follows the ocean and the Atlantic coast of northern Spain. It is more technical and athletic than the route more commonly used by pilgrims in the south (the popular Camino Francés). In Asturias, it is also an opportunity to admire the fabulous peaks of Europe. This massif is the highest of the Cantabrian mountain range and is located between the provinces of Asturias, Leon and Cantabria, about 30 km from the sea. It culminates at Torre de Cerredo, at 2,649 meters above sea level.