1

In a month you could walk a good portion of the Camino de Santiago. What better way to enjoy mountains and wildlife, unspoilt rural Spain, great food and drink and the company of many likeminded friends - and all on under 25 euros a day? You would also get supremely fit.

Dave

2

Thanks! I had considered the camino but sporting an old war wound so my fitness isn't up to that this year :o(

3

It must be a serious one, I did it and I'm physically (and mentally!) disabled. Mind over matter is all important. The Camino is worth the hardship.

Dave

4

If you're looking for wildlife and landscapes northern Spain is a very good choice.

You can't miss Asturias (Picos de Europa, mountainous region, the 'Spanish Switzerland' but pretty cheaper) :), Galicia has the wildest coast with places like Costa da Morte (Death Coast), Rías Bajas... Food is great and cheap both in Asturias and Galicia.You can also visit Santiago and León, small but beatiful and historical towns.

Another interesting area would begin in Burgos (historical small town), and head north to Las Merindades de Castilla - Río Ebro source area, with pintoresque small villages and great landscapes and nature (but different from Asturias and Galicia).
Then you can go to San Sebastián, which is a must see. From there you can take a look to some villages in the basque coast, such as Guernica or Guetaria.

If you have extra days, pre Pirineos villages of Huesca would show you different natural lanscapes which are also amazing.

Northern Spain villages are small and numerous, as opposite to the South where they're not many but quite big.
Best places to stay are Casas Rurales (search google), which are cheap and nice family-run village houses.

Hope this helps.

Edited by: josephk

5

Thank you for the suggestions of places to go, i shall certainly do some research on those you listed and take it from there.

6

Hi there Gingernuts,

I live in Mallecina, Western Asturias and can agree with most of the comments; it’s a fantastic place to visit. There is so much to see and do either in Asturias, Galicia or Cantabria. While I would agree that the Camino is a worthy thing to undertake, if you are looking for something a little less obvious than ‘the Camino’ then Western Asturias is definitely a good place to start.

If you look in guide books they tend to concentrate on the Eastern part of Asturias (for example Cangas de Onis, Llanes) but the Western part is a real unspoilt area of Spain. There are some stunning coastal walks around Muros de Nalon or Busto. Depending on your level of fitness there are some stunning mountain walks in and around Somideo and if you want to really see Asturias as it was many years ago I can thoroughly recommend the nature reserve at Muniellos (however you do have to book this in advance as access is strictly limited, if you PM me I can forward the link). The valley of Ria Navia winding inland to Grande de Salime is one of Asturias’ natural highlights dotted with Celtic ruins and small hill forts, most over 2000 years old. Although I realise it’s a town rather than rural, Castropol on the border between Asturias and Galicia is a beautiful place to visit, with stunning architecture, churches and magnificent views over the estuary and is one of those places best enjoyed outside café with a café con leche.
The list goes on and on of places of outstanding natural beauty in Asturias, these are just a few I have walked and enjoyed myself.

For the best way of exploring this part of Spain have you thought of renting a campervan? This would give you the freedom and flexibility to cook, eat, sleep and stop wherever and whenever you want. Campsites in this area are cheap and plentiful and if you avoid August and the first two weeks of September then they are relatively uncrowded. Then maybe I’m biased?

As I do live here if anyone is reading this and wants further information on the area please feel free to PM me.

7

Beware the tout.

Dave

8

Thank you for your concern but as someone who has travelled independently for many years throughout the Americas, Africa and the Far East i like to think that i'm pretty switched on.