Walking in Almería – Dramatic Landscapes of Almería

Dramatic Landscapes of Almería

Where Andalucia’s desert meets the sea

Holiday information

Nights: 4
Grade: 1-2
Terrain: cliff-top paths, beaches, tracks across the 'desert'
Hotels: one 2-star hotel; one 4-star hotel
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 1 picnic

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About Almería >Almería is the driest place in Europe, with 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, and as a result the sparse vegetation consists mainly of clumps of sisal, esparto grass, dwarf fan palms, expanses of thyme and lavender, and the cactus-like Agave Americana, making the small oases appear all the more striking. The Cabo de Gata Natural Park, much of which is only accessible on foot, shelters the endangered genet and many birds, among them Bonelli's eagles, which feed on lizards; crested hoopoes; puffins, razorbills and other seabirds; and waders such as storks, avocets and egrets. The most impressive is the flamingo, a common sight at Las Salinas salt flats. The Park also extends out to sea to protect the many fish species which thrive in the warm, crystal-clear waters. Life has not always been so easy for human settlers, as evidenced by the numerous forts and watchtowers built to defend against pirate attacks and by the norias – interconnecting wheels which raised water from underground.

self-guided hotel-to-hotel walking, luggage transported
driest, sunniest corner of Europe
year-round bathing in the sea on deserted beaches
leisurely but varied walking

One of the Mediterranean’s final unspoiled regions, the Andalucian province of Almería basks in the hot sun, its coastline dotted with white fishing villages that sparkle in the sunlight. Its landscapes reminiscent more of North Africa than of Europe – this is the driest place in Europe, with 3,000 hours of sunshine each year – the Cabo de Gata Natural Park is an area of bare, desert-like hills descending to a spectacular coastline of cliffs, sand dunes, salt flats, wild bays and virgin beaches.

With its arid landscapes, Almería really is quite unique. The contrast between the maroon soil and the blue sea is very stark, and walking here feels like exploring another world.

David Lanfear, Inntravel’s Spanish Route-Note Writer

Much of the Park is only accessible on foot or by boat, and as a result it is a haven for wildlife. It shelters numerous species of bird, among them Bonelli's eagles, storks, crested hoopoes, avocets and many other types of wader. Along the coast, gannets, puffins and razorbills are common, while the salt flats attract large numbers of flamingos.

The walking is leisurely, allowing lots of opportunities to cool off with a swim in the clear blue waters, the warmest of mainland Spain.

Grade 1-2 Walk

Average Temperatures
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
16	16	18	20	22	26	29	29	27	23	19	17

Call Inntravel on 01653 617001

Call Inntravel on
01653 617001