La Porta del Cel

It's quite a statement to say that the Porta del Cel is the hut-to-hut trek to heaven. And yet, it is true. Porta del Cel is Catalan for Heaven's Gate and if you consider that the highest point of this trek is Pica d'Estats, the highest peak in Catalonia, it somewhat makes sense. In the Catalan Pyrenees, you can't higher than the Porta del Cel. This makes this trek an adventure for seasoned mountain goats. If you want a little piece of Catalan heaven, then the Porta del Cel with 65 kilometres and 11.000 vertical meters, is the hiking route to take. Som-hi!Just as the Carros de Foc, this is the Catalan side of Spain and the Pyrenees. Som-hi is Catalan for Let's go. Sure, you can get around with Spanish, but if you want to crack a smile in the Catalan refuges, it will be worth it to work on your Catalan. On the Porta del Cel you will have at least 5 hiking days to practice your Catalan. Before we get carried away by this beautiful language, let's have a closer look at this hiking route. What is the Porta del Cel? Where do you start? What is so special about this hiking route? Is it for you? In this blog post, we'll answer all your questions!

Picos de Europa is a stunning national park in Northwestern Spain, a fantastically preserved hiking secret that remains unknown to many. Here, you'll discover rugged landscapes, beautiful lakes, local culinary surprises, and untouched nature. You might even spot a vulture or a wolf! The coast and cities like Bilbao and Santander are nearby, making the journey convenient. The possibilities for hiking in Picos de Europa are endless. Reason enough for us to explore this area and share with you how to make the most of your hut-to-hut trek in Picos de Europa. The oldest national park in Spain is a green oasis where you'll encounter a variety of landscapes for hiking, from peaceful meadows with cows and sheep to rugged peaks and charming villages. Glacial lakes sparkle in the sun, and a local shepherd guides his flock through a narrow street. Take the cable car up at Fuente Dé, enjoy the views, and reward yourself in the afternoon with a local 'sidra.' Vamos!

Santiago de Compostela is a familiar name to pilgrims; for more than 1,000 years, many feet have walked to this Spanish destination. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people visit the cathedral in this city, having completed a journey of many kilometres on a Camino. The Camino del Norte is one of the routes leading to Santiago and starts on the Spanish coast near the Bay of Biscay. The Camino del Norte starts in Irún, located on the border of Spain and France, and has a total length of 822 kilometres. Along the way, you can enjoy expansive ocean views, beautiful beaches, pass by cosy towns and have no lack of culinary delights. We focus in this blog post mainly on the last 100 kilometres of the route, the distance required for a certificate (compostela). Curious? Bookatrekking.com tells you all about the Camino del Norte! The Camino del Norte is one of the routes to Santiago de Compostela and is a well-loved, but more unknown, variant after the Camino Francés and the Camino Portugués. The overall route takes you from Irún to Santiago, passing through several autonomous regions such as the Basque Country and Galicia along the way, each with their own charm. You don't have to worry about an empty stomach on the Camino del Norte either. Unknown does not make unloved in this case, vamos!