NEW ROUTE! Catalonia: The Southern Hills

Discover quiet Catalonia with our newest walking route

We invite you to leave behind the sun-swept beaches and tourist throngs of Barcelona, and instead turn your face to The Southern Hills, to the meadering riverside paths and dramatic mountain ridges. This is quiet Catalonia, where each day’s walk brings an ever higher view point over the stunning scenery.

On Foot Holidays’ newest self-guided walking holiday begins in the wine town of Falset, among the vineyards and the melodic hum of Catalan, a language deeply woven into the region’s identity. As quiet paths lead to Guiamets and medieval Tivissa, broad views of the plains give way to mountain vistas. Up and over the ridges you’ll encounter the Ebro river for the first time, crossing on a traditional ferry boat to enchanting Miravet with its Templar castle, Arabic architecture and plenteous bird life.

Ahead beckon the silhouettes of the Els Ports mountains, whose wild valleys and rippling ridges you’ll discover on the final two walking days. Along the way you’ll stay at a wonderfully isolated off-grid B&B, dip your tired feet into the healing thermal springs at Fontcalda sanctuary, and explore the narrow streets of hilltop Horta de Sant Joan. If you’re lucky you may spot ibex picking their way along the hillsides.

Finally, return to the Ebro river at Xerta, where a welcoming boutique hotel and a well-earned dinner await. Raise a glass to an extraordinary adventure – one that reveals the beating heart of Catalonia, far beyond the familiar.

The Essentials – Catalonia: The Southern Hills
9 nights / 8 walking days (8, 7 and 6 night versions also available)
Graded Medium, with 10-19 km / 4-6½ hrs walking per day
Book now to walk from mid-September 2026 onwards
Price: from £1410 per person for 9 nights, based on two sharing

Take a closer look here

Eagle-eyed walkers will have spotted that this new route begins at Falset, which is also the final destination of our holiday to the north – Catalonia: El Priorat. This makes it very easy to combine the two routes, for a really deep dive into the beautiful and varied landscapes of rural Catalonia.

Looking for more walking holidays in Spain?

So, how well do you really know Spain? Unless you’ve spent years exploring its seventeen regions, you may be surprised at how multifaceted this intriguing country can be.

Each of our nine Spanish walking routes will take you on a journey to discover the distinct identity of a region. In the north you’ll find a Celtic- or Iberian-influenced culture, where the older languages are alive and well. Galician has a close relationship with Portuguese, while the Basque Country has a unique language, Euskera, that is unrelated to any other. You’ll hear Catalan in fiercely independent Catalonia, and a near relative of Catalan in the Valencia region.

Further south in Andalucia, the historical influences were shaped by centuries of Moorish rule, as can be seen in the beautiful architecture of its towns and grand palaces. And crossing the waters to Mallorca or La Gomera, you’ll find distinctive cultures that have been preserved by their remoteness.

Of course each region is rightly proud of its own food and drink too, often celebrated at local festivals. Look out for tapas in the south, Valencian paella, Cantabrian cocido lebaniego, pintxos in San Sebastian, orange juice straight from the trees in Mallorca, fresh Galician seafood, and some remarkable wines in Catalonia and Ribeira Sacra.

Our local contact, Aznar, will be familiar to anyone who has walked in northern Spain. He says: “The Atlantic on one side (mild and green), the Mediterranean on the other (warm and aromatic), and the fact of it being one of the European countries with more mountains and hills, are the key elements that make Spain such an amazing hiking paradise. It has probably the most varied range of scenery, flora, local culture and food in the continent. I feel so blessed to work designing routes here for On Foot Holidays. Come and see!”

Call and speak to our friendly bookings team to find your perfect Spanish holiday. You’ll usually be able to talk to someone who has walked the route that intrigues you most of all.

Your Spanish walking holiday is waiting for you here!

Or keep exploring here…

The spotlight falls on northern Italy this year, as the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics arrive in Milan and the mountain resorts of the Dolomites. The slopes glisten with snow, and the villages buzz with news of sporting endeavours.

Of course the peaks look completely fabulous in their winter clothes, but they’re just as beautiful in their summer attire!  Do you fancy walking through pastures dotted with wildflowers and gentle cattle? How about a night in the cosy camaraderie of a mountain refuge, enjoying dumplings with goulash and swapping tales from the trails with fellow hikers? Here’s some inspiration for your alpine adventure.

Our summer route in the Dolomites could be just the thing – but don’t leave it too late to book, as it will be extra popular this year and the season is short. Hike from San Candido through mountain peaks and alpine meadows to Cortina, which hosts some Olympic events.

Kranjska Gora, at the start of our Slovenian Highlands route, is a popular winter sports venue, but switches to hosting walkers after the snow melts. Our walk is graded Medium, getting you into the heart of the mountains with modest effort!

The mountains of Arcadia in the central Peloponnese are popular for winter breaks, with snow-shoeing, skiing and snowmobiling on the menu. In the warmer months, our walkers on the Menalon Trail enjoy the same great views and stay in some lovely stone-built villages.

The Picos de Europa and Cantabrian hills of northern Spain are busy with sporting activity in winter, but On Foot hikers can use the cable car at Fuente Dé to get up into the peaks with no skis needed! Just relish the gentle walk down from the rocky slopes into a lush green valley.

Skirt round the slopes of Mt Tahtali on your way to the coast in Lycia – this is an unconventional winter sports area, with ‘wild’ skiing and a mountain-top bungee catapult for the brave!  We suggest you keep your feet on the ground…

And for a surprising link to the Olympics – the little town of Much Wenlock, just a few miles from the start of our Welsh Borders walk, was host to a forerunner of the modern Olympics. The first competition in 1850 included athletics and traditional country sports – and a race on penny-farthing bicycles!  Baron Pierre de Coubertin visited the games in 1890, and was inspired to create the International Olympic Committee and the Games as we know them now.

Search here to find the perfect walking holiday for you.