Hiking in Tarifa
Hiking in Tarifa https://freeridetarifa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/1-ParqueNaturalLosAlcornocales-freeridetarifa.jpg 499 499 Freeride Tarifa https://freeridetarifa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/1-ParqueNaturalLosAlcornocales-freeridetarifa.jpgWhere Continents Converge and Trails Begin.
Tarifa lies at the beginning of the Costa de la Luz, a small fishing town sitting on the southernmost tip of Spain. Hiking in Tarifa is a sensory overload. One moment you are walking through a lush, “prehistoric” cork oak forest that feels like a jungle, and the next, you are standing on a rugged cliffside looking at the mountains of Morocco, so close you feel like you could touch them.
The Two Natural Parks
- Parque Natural del Estrecho: Coastal, rugged, and windswept. Home to Roman ruins and dramatic cliffs.
- Parque Natural Los Alcornocales: The “Green Lung” of Andalusia. Known for its “Canutos” (river valleys) and the largest cork oak forest in the world.
It’s widely acknowledged as Europe’s capital of kitesurfing with a beautiful 10km long bay with a wide sandy beach. For water sport enthusiasts it is paradise but Tarifa has more to offer. Tarifa has not only built the reputation as “Europe’s Capital of Kitesurfing” but also a strong reputation as the ‘Adventure Capital of Europe’ with over 40 activities to do.
One of these activities highly recommended giving a go, is hiking. It could be a day kitesurfing, surfing or windsurf is not possible due to weather conditions or you want a day off the beach, adventuring through the natural parks that surround Tarifa is a must. It will show you the natural untouched beauty that is the Andalucian countryside.
Our Top Hikes You Can't Miss
Natural Park Los Alcornocales
“Parque Natural Los Alcornocales” is located behind Tarifa with woodland, mountain and river areas to choose from. The woodland is mainly composed of Cork Trees, hence the meaning of “Parque Natural Los Alcornocales” , which translate to “the cork oak groves”. It has many walks, 20 of which that are signposted. Reaching the top of some of these mountains will lead you to a captivating image of Tarifa, with the sea beneath you and looking across to Morocco.
Suggestions of hiking trails to do
- Rio de la Miel: Awesome circuit up the waterfalls of the “Rio de la Miel” to a panoramic scenic walk through the Andalusian Cork oak forest with nice views to Gibraltar – 17km in a middle/high difficulty level – approx. 6-7 hours.
- Los Alcornocales – Los Barrios
Natural Park Del Estrecho
The Parque Natural del Estrecho stretches northeast behind Tarifa. The east coast of the park is on the Mediterranean and west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean. Birds are the most prolific and important fauna in the Estrecho National Park. Due to its location it is used by hundreds of millions of migrating birds as they cross from Europe to Africa. It’s a birdwatchers dream!
Suggestions of hiking trails to do
- Rio del Pelayo: This coastal hike through the Parque Natural del Estrecho offers great views of the Strait of Gibraltar, Africa.
- Ruta del Sierra de San Bartolomé: We advise you to not do this trail in Levante. Trail starting in Valdevaqueros beach which cross two vertices of the Sierra de San Bartolomé.
- Ruta Del Buda Located in the hills of San Bartolomé, this trail offers a completely different atmosphere. Mystic and shaded. The trail winds through boulders and cork oaks, leading to a hidden “Buddha cave” and panoramic views of the Valdevaqueros sand dunes. A bird’s-eye view of the kitesurfers below!
- Coastal trail from Tarifa till Valdevaqueros beach
Punta Paloma to Bolonia
Starting from the golden cliffs of Punta Paloma and heading north toward the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia.
Punta Paloma is the name of the headland just to the north of Tarifa that separates the expansive beaches of Tarifa from those of Bolonia. You turn off the main road towards Paloma and after a short distance it’s like walking through the Sahara. There are huge sand dunes leading from sea to half way up a big hill. From here, you can walk along the coast over to Bolonia. Along the way you can see large rock pools when the tide is out or even lather yourself up in a natural mud bath.
They just build a new path to go by bike or by walk, into the forest to the bolonia beach. Start by navigating the pine forests and tucked-away coves of Punta Paloma. As you curve around the coastline, the massive Duna de Bolonia (a protected natural monument) dominates the horizon.
The opportunity for trekking in Tarifa is endless! With so many natural parks, located in a haven of beauty, it really is not to be missed. Discover more trails using the App Wikiloc.
Before you go!!
Check the Wind: In Tarifa, the wind (Levante or Poniente) changes everything. If it’s a “Levante” (strong east wind) day, recommend the sheltered forest trails of Los Alcornocales. If it’s a calm day, the Colada de la Costa is unbeatable.
Bird Migration: If hiking in Spring or Autumn, tell them to look up! Tarifa is the main gateway for millions of birds migrating between Europe and Africa.
The main activities in Tarifa
Discover also all the other activities you can do.