15 Best Adventures in Northern Spain • Nomads With A Purpose

We first discovered the amazing adventures of Northern Spain in 2016 —seriously, it could be considered Europe’s best-kept secret —on our 6-month road trip through Europe. We loved it so much that we decided to return the following year and spend a month ticking off the best hikes, surf breaks, and rock climbing.

Rock Climbing in Northern Spain

Travel Tip: Throughout our climbing trip, we used the Climbing Away website and app to help us find beautiful, off-the-beaten-path climbing areas.

Multi-Pitch Rock Climb The Gorros in Montserrat, Catalonia

This huge mountain, just outside of Barcelona, holds an entire wonderland of rock. Though this ecosystem is not nearly as amazing as the Pyrenees (at least to us), Montserrat’s sheer size and ancient buildings make it a unique adventure experience that’s worth a trip.

There are dozens of hikes here, but if you come all the way to Montserrat, I highly recommend a multi-pitch on the Gorros. Click here to learn more about multi-pitching the Gorros. There are routes of all levels here, so even if you’re a beginner climber, you can experience beautiful views from a rock wall.

Rock Climb in Lleida, Catalonia

Climbing near Lledia, Best Adventure in Northern Spain — Climbing near Lledia, Spain

While the actual city of Lleida is the kind of place dirtbags and climbers avoid, the huge region of rock walls that lie to the north of Lleida makes up some of the best rock climbing in the world. Seriously, this climbing is world-class. So much so that Chris Sharma and Sasha DiGiulian live here part of the year to climb the hundreds of routes.

If you’re like us and you’re not a world-class climber, don’t worry, there are a few cool areas, like Camarasa and Cubells, that are perfect for beginner and intermediate climbers.

Hiking the large network of trails through the gorge in Camarasa was pretty cool, too. If you are camping, there are a lot of places you can free camp, as well as designated campgrounds near the crags.

Climb the Baltzola Cave in Dima

This world-class cave is perhaps the coolest crag in the whole world. The routes run from one side of the cave to the other end, almost like an upside-down U. Speaking of upside down, yes, people have to climb completely inverted to do these routes. The cave still has stalagmites hanging from the roof, which is requires a really good knee bar, two things Adam Ondra does best, which is why you can find photos of him climbing this cave all over the internet.

The routes run from 6b to 9a, so intermediate climbers might be able to find a route to say they’ve climbed there. Even if you can’t climb here, it’s totally worth the short hike up to see it.

Climb Ramales, Cantabria

best adventures northern Spain, climbing — Rock climbing in northern Spain

This is a very picturesque climbing area located at the top of a windy road in Cantabria, right next to a famous Spanish cave. The climbing area is huge, and the views of a large monolith in the distance were spectacular.

Climb Galdames, Cantabria

Though the climbing area Galdames is small, we loved that it was off-the-beaten-path, that it had incredible views of the Spanish countryside, and was easy climbing– perfect for our family. This area is also huge for mountain biking, so if you can get your hands on a mountain bike, I highly recommend partaking. There was also a rad rustic bar with outdoor seating, perfect for tapas/pintxos and a refreshing drink afterwards.

Rock Climb in Ribes de Frese

We also enjoyed the picturesque and easy climbing area just north of Ribes de Freser, as well as the huge and a bit more difficult climbing area just south of Ribes. I’d recommend a climbing book for the climbs in the area because there are so many!

Via Ferratas in the Picos de Europa

The Picos de Europa are gorgeous mountains in Northern Spain with thousands of climbing routes and some of the longest multi-pitches. Beginner/intermediate climbers should check out the crags of Carreña de Cabrales. It’s also famous for the Via Ferrata La Hermida, which includes a long rickety Indiana-Jones-like rope bridge, and Via Ferrata Camaleño, which practically requires slackening at one point.

If you are going on an adventure road trip to Europe, download the WIKILOC app or check out their website. It is so helpful for finding the best hikes and via ferratas.

Surfing in Northern Spain

Surf Playa de Traba, Galicia

In the deepest, darkest corner of Spain lies the region of Galicia, arguably the most beautiful and lush area in all of Spain. It’s a surfer’s paradise around here, at least if you’re brand enough to paddle out into empty lineups. Playa Traba is all those things and more. This place has epic free camping if you’re on a road trip and the surf break is a nice A-frame wave. It’s a perfect place to surf and relax but be warned, it rains a lot here. Check the surf report here.

Surf Manduka

There are so many cool beaches along the Basque Coast, it’s impossible to see them all; however, Mundaka is the stuff of legends.

This is not a wave for beginners. This is a world-class wave that has been known to deliver a one-minute, perfect barrel; however, it typically only breaks about 60 days of the year and only on a low-to-mid tide with at least a four-foot swell. As with most world-class surf destinations in the world, the crowds can be bad here.

Surf Laga

For an easier wave on the most gorgeous beach in northern Spain, check out Laga.

But still, even if you don’t surf, Manduka is totally worth a visit. And if you are a rock climber, make sure you try the rad bouldering under the bridge next to the main parking lot.

Surf Sopelana

best adventures northern Spain, Sopelana surf — Watching the sets roll in from the cliffs at Sopelana

Sopelana, whose parking lot is filled with van lifers, is the best wave in northern Spain for intermediate surfers. There are two breaks, one more shallow than the other. The shallow one breaks best around mid tide, and the deep one around high tide.

best adventures northern Spain, Sopelana — Robyn on a left in Sopelana

Bonus: If you rock climb, there is a nice little crag only fifteen minutes from Sopelana called Urdiliz with routes from 4a to 8a.

Surf Playa de San Martín, Asturias

Playa San Martin, Best Adventure in Northern Spain — Going surfing at San Martin

This adventure is one of my personal favorites. The journey starts by parking in the miniature town of Celorio. It’s a short 3-mile round-trip hike that goes to a cove which is perfect for surfing, watching the sunset, or just chilling. You’ll navigate through winding cobblestone, following blue and yellow seashell symbols marking the famous Camino de Santiago, and past the rich green hillsides with large mountains to the south, making an amazing backdrop.Surf Playa Rodiles, Asturias

Surf Rodiles

best adventures northern Spain, Rodiles — They call Rodiles “Mini mundaka”

Rodiles is another one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain and also has one of the best waves in Spain. This off-the-beaten-path beach, which sits in a cove of granite rock, forests, and cottages on the hillside, can deliver a perfect, barreling lefthander when the right swell comes through. On smaller days though, it is great for beginners.

Related Blog: Best Surf Spots in Europe

Great Hikes in Northern Spain

Hike San Juan de Gazteligatxe,

San Juan de Gazteligatxe is an ancient man-made walkway built on a narrow strip of land that juts out into the ocean. According to legend, after walking the 230 stairs and get to the hermitage, you should ring the bell three times and make a wish.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, best adventures northern spain — Looking down on San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

Hike the Vall de Nuria via Coma de Vaca and Camí dels Enginyers in Catalonia

Best Hikes in the World- Valle de Nuria, Spain

Vall de Nuria is quite possibly the most beautiful place in all of Spain. The steep, rocky mountain landscape holds dozens of adventure possibilities, the best being the Old Road via Cami dels Enginyers and Coma De Vaca.

Hike Punta Del Pacino near Aragon

Along with the Vall de Nuria, this is one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Spain and even the Pyrenees. The hike has amazing views of three awe-striking ranges of mountains, the dramatic crown-like peak of Peña Foratat, rich, blue water of the reservoirs, and perfect, green European hillsides dotted with old, colorful buildings.

Hike in Urkiola Natural Park, Basque Country

This is the next best thing to the Picos de Europa. This place has dozens of amazing peaks to hike, and if you love scramble hikes, check out the Ridge of Anboto.