Where to Experience Mystical Landscapes in Spain
Spain is home to some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in Europe, with mountain ranges, deserts, and a dramatic coastline. Many of these places are imbued with a mystical or spiritual quality, with ancient churches or temples, and medieval pilgrimage routes.
Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James) is a medieval pilgrimage route across northern Spain to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, said to be the resting place of St James. Thousands of modern-day pilgrims, many not even religious, walk the route each year. The most popular route starts from Roncesvalles in the Pyrenees, crossing Aragón and Castilla y León to reach Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. It’s a journey of around 800km, passing through medieval villages, forests, and farmland. Several other routes exist, including the Camino Primitivo, Camino Inglés, and the Camino Portugués.
Monasterio de Piedra
In the province of Zaragoza, you’ll find the Monasterio de Piedra, a 13th-century Cistercian monastery surrounded by lush gardens and waterfalls. The monastery itself has a simple but elegant design, with a beautiful cloister and a church. The surrounding park is a natural paradise, with a series of waterfalls and caves. It’s a place of tranquility and natural beauty, perfect for meditation or just enjoying the scenery.
Las Médulas
Las Médulas, in the province of León, is a striking landscape of red clay hills and green forests. This was once the site of a Roman gold mine, and the landscape is the result of the Romans’ hydraulic mining techniques, which involved using water to wash away the hillsides to reveal the gold. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a place of great natural beauty, with walking trails that take you through the dramatic landscape.
Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña
The Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña is a stunning medieval monastery built into the side of a cliff in the Pyrenees. The original monastery was founded in the 10th century, and you can still see the remains of the old church, with its beautiful Romanesque frescoes. The new monastery, built in the 17th century, is a Baroque masterpiece, with a beautiful cloister and a church. The monastery is also home to the Museum of the Kingdom of Aragón, which tells the story of the kingdom that once ruled much of northern Spain.
Parque Nacional de Doñana
The Parque Nacional de Doñana, in the province of Huelva, is one of Europe’s most important wetlands and a haven for wildlife. It’s home to a wide variety of birds, including flamingos, herons, and eagles, as well as mammals like deer and lynx. The park is a mix of marshes, dunes, and forests, and there are several walking trails that take you through the different habitats. It’s a place of great natural beauty and a must-visit for nature lovers.
Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido
The Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido, in the Pyrenees, is one of Spain’s most spectacular national parks. It’s home to the Monte Perdido massif, which rises to over 3,300 meters, and a series of deep valleys and gorges. The park is a haven for wildlife, with species like the Pyrenean chamois, the bearded vulture, and the golden eagle. There are several walking trails that take you through the park, including the famous Ordesa Valley trail, which takes you through a dramatic canyon to the foot of Monte Perdido.
Parque Natural de las Bardenas Reales
The Parque Natural de las Bardenas Reales, in the province of Navarra, is a semi-desert landscape of eroded clay hills and canyons. It’s a place of stark beauty, with a rugged and otherworldly landscape that has been used as a filming location for movies like Game of Thrones. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including eagles, vultures, and foxes. There are several walking and cycling trails that take you through the park, including the famous Castildetierra trail, which takes you to the park’s most iconic rock formation.
Picos de Europa
The Picos de Europa, in the north of Spain, is a mountain range that straddles the regions of Asturias, Cantabria, and Castilla y León. It’s a stunning landscape of jagged peaks, deep valleys, and glacial lakes. The area is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including bears, wolves, and eagles. There are several walking trails that take you through the park, including the famous Cares Gorge trail, which takes you through a dramatic canyon with breathtaking views.
