Different countries’ tourism destinations will change once the fall season gets underway. You can design a new trip itinerary for yourself by taking into account each of these tourist spots because they each provide unique human and natural attractions during different seasons. Naturalists go from all over the world to visit national parks, which are one of their favorite places.
Hike your way through Spain, letting the best national parks in the nation serve as inspiration. Every region of the nation has breathtaking natural scenery just waiting to be discovered, from the Mountains to the Canary Islands.
The Best 10 Spanish National Parks For Autumn
We’ve put up a list of Spain’s top national parks For Autumn here:
- Picos de Europa National Park (Cantabria)
- Monfragüe National Park (Extremadura)
- Sierra Nevada National Park (Andalusia)
- Teide National Park (Tenerife)
- Doñana National Park (Andalusia)
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park (Aragon)
- Parque Natural del Montseny( Catalonia)
- Parque Natural de Gorbeia(Basque Country)
- Selva Irati (Navarra)
- Heydo de Montejo de la Sierra Valle de Lozoya (Madrid)
1. Picos de Europa National Park (Cantabria)
In the fall, the Picos de Europa National Park is one of the best places to go hiking in all of Spain. Over a distance of 646 kilometers, this mountain range stretches across three provinces. A spectacular karst landscape characterizes the Picos de Europa, with a different and exciting sight around every bend. Limestone erosion has formed canyons, cliffs, and valleys in this area.
You may explore the hills and get up close to this natural phenomenon by taking one of the many trails that snake and twist across the rocks. If you’re feeling adventurous, hike up to the top of one of the park’s most recognizable landmarks—the slightly orange-hued Naranjo de Bulnes.
Many endangered animals, including the Iberian wolf and the bearded vulture, make their home in the natural park, which also features the Lagos de Covadonga, two glacial lakes. The Picos de Europa are beautiful in the fall when the beech and oak leaves begin to change color.
2. Monfragüe National Park (Extremadura)
The national park of Monfragüe is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets. The park is not well-known because it is found in Extremadura, the least frequented region of Spain, but it is essential for any serious birdwatcher. Over 280 bird species, including black vultures and Spanish imperial eagles, make their home in the area. The park is also a famous stopover for birds that migrate in the spring and fall because the Tagus River flows through it.
The park’s network of trails will take you to the best vantage points for spotting birds and, with any luck, other species that have made the park their home. It is possible to spot deer, otters, and even the endangered Iberian lynx at Monfragüe Park.
Hikers can go to the ancient Monfragüe castle for a bird’s-eye perspective of the whole park. Explore one of the several historic sites hidden throughout the area for a more strenuous trip. Over a hundred caverns and overhang rocks in Monfragüe Park provide a haven for ancient rock carvings. Keep your eyes alert as you travel, and you may come across these Neolithic-era drawings for yourself!
3. Sierra Nevada National Park (Andalusia)
Although the Sierra Nevada National Park is best known as the site of Europe’s most southerly ski resort, nestled high above the ancient city of Granada, it is actually at its most attractive in the fall. When the leaves begin to change color, its woodlands become a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues.
Valleys are good places to see local fauna getting ready for winter, and if you’re lucky, the first snowfall of the year can be experienced in the highest reaches of the mountain range.
Hiking trails in the Sierra Nevada will lead you past rushing rivers, bubbling springs, icy lakes, dark woods, and open meadows, showcasing the park’s incredible diversity of terrain and the plants and animals that have made it their home. A wild boar, badger, or even a solitary wildcat could be among the animals you see. You can take some time off from sightseeing in one of the many gorgeous mountain villages in the Sierra Nevada.
4. Teide National Park (Tenerife)
El Teide Park in Tenerife is the oldest and biggest park in the Canary Islands, and hence, a must-see for every tourist interested in the region. And as the temperatures begin to drop and the number of tourists begins to dwindle, autumn is the ideal time to do so.
El Teide, the island’s highest peak and a major tourist attraction, may be found here. This volcano serves as the park’s and island’s focal point. The park’s distinctive flora and fauna can be explored on foot along the many trails that wind through the surrounding volcanic environment. Getting a permit for trekking around the crater of a volcano is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If you tire out from your hike, you can always end your trip with an excursion on the observation wheel, where you can take in breathtaking views of the park and its surreal scenery.
5. Doñana National Park (Andalusia)
Andalusia’s Doana National Park is home to the largest protected wetland in all of Europe. Over 543 kilometers, this park features freshwater marshes and dunes. The park’s vastness allows for the maintenance of three distinct ecosystems, each of which is home to an exhaustive variety of flora and fauna.
The park is home to several endangered species, including the Iberian lynx, the spur-thighed tortoise, and the marsh horse.
The Doana park is a great place to go bird watching because it is home to over 300 different species of birds. Many migrating birds stop in Doana on their way to or from Africa, making autumn one of the greatest times to go for bird watching there.
In addition to the many established hiking trails that wind through the park, you may also explore the area by taking a boat ride or a horseback ride.
6. Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park
Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park can be found in the Aragonese Pyrenees, and they both provide stunning scenery. The park’s focal point is the 3,355-meter-tall Monte Perdido massif. Hikers will find nirvana in Ordesa Park. Some hikes may be completed in just a couple of hours, as well as multi-day excursions in the highlands.
There are several places to spend the course of the night scattered throughout the park, so don’t worry. In the Ordesa Valley, a popular hike follows the Arazas River all the way towards the Cola de Caballo waterfall. The two-hour hike is a fantastic opportunity to get to know the park on a first visit. The Ordesa and Monte Perdido park also includes activities for those who are looking for excitement.
Whitewater rafting, kayaking, and canyoning are just a few of the exciting options, and the park also features four rock climbing locations. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to explore the park.
7. Parque Natural del Montseny (Catalonia)
One of the best spots to enjoy the fall foliage on a day trip from Barcelona is the Natural Park of Montseny, which can be reached in a little over an hour. The park, which is designated as a biosphere reserve, is made up of a number of forested mountains that are interwoven with a network of hiking paths. The oak and beech trees in the park create a quilt of ochre, sienna, and mustard in the autumn.
8. Parque Natural de Gorbeia (Basque Country)
Otzarreta is a wonderful forest that may be located in the Basque Country’s Gorbeia Natural Park (shown above). Situated to thousands of ancient beech and oak trees coated with green moss, it seems almost like the country of the fairies. The beech trees here are distinctive since the branches shoot upward rather than outward. Once fall comes, their leaves become a beautiful copper color, engulfing the whole forest floor.
9. Selva Irati (Navarra)
The Selva Irati, in the western Pyrenees, is home to one of Europe’s greatest fir and beech tree woods. Due to its remote location, it has the appearance of a wild area, complete with moss-covered trees and the crunch of burgundy leaves underfoot. Trails for hiking and mountain biking of all difficulties can be found throughout the forest.
10. Heydo de Montejo de la Sierra Valle de Lozoya (Madrid)
The best fall foliage may be found right here in southern France without having to travel to northern Spain. Located in northern Madrid, between Castilla y León and Castilla-La Mancha, is the Heydo de Montejo de la Sierra Valle de Lozoya biosphere reserve.
Those who dared to enter it were supposedly transformed into birds or lizards by wicked elves and fairies who lured them with their tunes. Admission to the woods is limited, and a fee is required, regardless of your level of bravery.
Conclusion
Visit any national park in the fall, and you will be treated to spectacular views and fascinating fauna. Please be mindful of the native plants and animals you encounter in Spain’s natural parks so that they may continue to thrive for future generations. For updates on this and other issues, be sure to follow us on social media.
