The best places to go for walks with your dog in the autumn
Now that the heat is less extreme, but the days are still long and temperatures agreeable, it is an ideal time to go rambling with your furry friend. There’s nothing a dog likes better than to go for walks, discover new places, run about in the country and be with you.
How to choose the best routes for walks with your dog
In our country there are lots of routes for walks with your dog in every autonomous community, varying in levels of complexity and distance, so that you can choose what suits you and your dog best, bearing in mind factors such as health, age and character, for example.
Puppies and older dogs don’t have the same energy as a young dog and it also depends on how sedentary his life is. A dog that is not used to running large distances can’t do it just from one day to another. They need training, just like us.
It also matters what type of terrain you are passing through. Find out if there are sharp ups and downs, if it is stony, tarmac, etc. This information is essential in choosing places that are as easy as possible for the pads of your dog’s paws and to avoid injuries.
Also, we need to avoid routes where there is no shade, that are very busy or pass close to the road. It’s much better to be close to a stream or brook so that your dog can enjoy playing in the water.
What to take with you on a walk with your dog
It is a basic rule to take water and food and make several stops to recharge the batteries. It’s also prudent to have a first aid kit with gauzes, bandages, disinfectant and creams; which can be very useful in the event of an accident. And don’t forget to carry bags to collect your dog’s messes! We need to keep the environment as clean as we find it.
So you see, it’s important to plan your route before setting out, so that there are no surprises.
Routes in Spain for autumn walks with your dog
In Spain there are many ideal routes for rambles with your dog. In this article we find one route in each Autonomous Community, but the possibilities are endless.
Galicia
Specifically in the province of Lugo, there is the La Fraga das Reigadas trail (A Pontenova). This trail offers us the opportunity to explore one of the most fascinating forests in Galicia, La Fraga das Reigadas.
It’s an easy trail, 14 km long, passes by several waterfalls and is linear.
Asturias
In Asturias we have the Lagunas de Chagueños Trail which goes through 3.5 km of green landscape, linking La Prohída and Degaña. The lakes are the great attraction of this route.
Cantabria
The Las Cabañas Pasiegas Route is in San Roque de Riomiera.
The route is well signed and not difficult, with 9.13 km. The landscape is idyllic, full of rural stone cabins set in lovely green meadows.
Basque Country
Here we have the Cuevas de Goros-Circular route from Hueto Arriba. The route starts from Hueto Arriba and ends at Las Cuevas de Goros.
It is of low difficulty and takes about 1 hour and a half.
Aragon
The Moncayo or Cerro de San Miguel in Zaragoza is a splendid choice of route for walking with dogs. It is the highest point of the Moncayo Natural Park and on the walk we can see oaks, black pines and ilex, as well as golden eagles and owls. Our dogs have a wonderful time at their ease.
Castilla-La Mancha
The Tajo nature trail, in Toledo, is an excellent route for rambling with dogs.
This is a 4 km trail which starts at the Alcántara Bridge and runs through the area beside the river, passing Ermita del Valle, from where we have the finest views of Toledo. This is an easy route, nearly all paved and runs beside the river all the way. It’s ideal for dogs and for the whole family.
Castilla y León
In Salamanca, a good choice is the Camino de Peñaserracín, a semi-circular route of average-low difficulty, 10 km long, which will be the delight of our furry friends.
Community of Madrid
The Camino Schmid, going towards the Sierra de Guadarrama, starts at Puerto de Navacerrada and ends at Cercedilla, a total distance of 6.5 km. It’s perfect for inexperienced ramblers as it’s not difficult.
One of the great advantages of this trail, as well as the views, is that there is shade nearly all the way, so that you can go there with your dog without worrying about getting sunburn.
Valencian Community
The Fuente la Oliva Recreational Area is the start of a circular trail of 12.1 km. It is a beautiful route of medium difficulty.
La Rioja
In La Rioja you can walk among the Rioja Alavesa vineyards in the district of Elciego. The route is about 2.5 km, with low difficulty. There are dirt tracks connected together by timber walkways and the views are magnificent.
Extremadura
The Sierra de Gata in Cáceres forms the frontier with Portugal and borders Salamanca, and it’s a great place for a route in the midst of nature. Specifically, on the path to La Torre de Almenara, starting from the village of Gata, we can see the whole province of Cáceres. It is a route of medium difficulty, has slopes and is nearly 8 km.
Navarra
To enjoy the Pyrenees in Navarra with our dogs is a real dream. We start at the Xorroxin waterfall, close to Erratzu, where the 7.5 km route begins, with a beautiful waterfall at the source of the River Baztán.
Catalonia
In the Garraf Natural Park, just 48 minutes from Barcelona by car, there are several hiking routes. These give superb views of Barcelona and the Garraf, difficulty is average.
Region of Murcia
The climb to Pico de la Muela is circular and of medium difficulty. It is approximately 8 km long. This is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Cartagena and runs along beside the sea.
Andalucía
The Río Alías Trail in Carboneras (Almería) is low in difficulty and passes through one of the more interesting sections of the River Alías. Also there is a lot of greenery and there are pretty refuges.
Balearic Isles
We can journey to Mallorca to do one of the four typical trails of the Finca de Son Real. All of them are easy routes, ideal for the whole family and distances vary from 2 km to 7.2 km, depending on which itinerary we select.
Canary Isles
And now we are off to Isla Bonita, La Palma, specifically to Los Tilos Waterfall where the cascade falls from a height of more than 60 metres. To get there you only need to walk for a few minutes from Los Tilos Visitors Centre. An easy route, great for all the family.
Our country is full of wonderful places waiting to be enjoyed with our best friend, so we need to take advantage of good weather to get our feet and paws moving.