Page 234 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

232  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Other popular supply details about mountain
Pyrenean resorts sports and mountain condi-
include Candanchú tions. Ski resorts themselves
and Panticosa, in usually have good websites
Huesca province, with up-to-date information.
and Masella, in the
province of Girona.
There are also Cycling and Horse Riding
good resorts in the Cycling and horse riding are
Cantabrian both very popular activities in
Mountains, such Northern Spain. The coastal
as Manzaneda in areas, mountain valleys and
Galicia, San Isidro picturesque inland trails provide
and Leitariegos in terrain that is ideally suited
León, and Alto to horse riding.
Campoo in Asturias. It is fairly easy to hire a horse,
Here, skiers can and many tour operators now
enjoy several well- specialize in equestrian holidays.
maintained and The Real Federación Hípica
often picturesque Española can provide additional
runs, of varying information on horse riding
A ski resort in Andorra length and difficulty. and pony trekking.
Andorra is another big Information about cycle
Winter Sports
destination for skiing and routes is provided by the
Spain’s mountainous terrain winter sports. Real Federación Española
makes it an excellent place for Nowadays, an increasing de Ciclismo.
skiing, and resorts here are number of people don their Bicycles can be rented in
often cheaper than those in snowshoes to explore the almost every town in Northern
the Alps or other places in snow-covered mountainsides Spain. The region can be toured
Europe. There are numerous and valleys on foot. on picturesque minor roads or
winter resorts in Northern Aside from snowboarding, special Vías Verdes routes
Spain, particularly in the downhill and cross-country (see box).
Pyrenees. Especially popular skiing, Pyrenean spas offer
is the huge ski resort of numerous other attractions to
Baqueira-Beret, one of the keep visitors entertained. Most
largest in Spain. Skiers have of the resorts have swimming
at their disposal 71 pistes and pools, ice rinks, and a choice of
32 ski lifts, which ascend to restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
between 1,500 m (5,000 ft) and Every region of Northern
2,500 m (7,600 ft) above sea Spain has its own winter sports
level. After a hard day’s skiing, association. The Federación
you can relax in nearby Arties’ Española de Deportes de
thermal springs. Montaña y Escalada can

Vías Verdes
The Vías Verdes (Green Routes) programme was established in 1993
and enjoys huge popularity among both visitors and Spaniards alike.
Its aim is to adapt old, disused railway lines so that they can be used
for walking, cycling and horse riding. Many of the converted railway
lines are also wheelchair-friendly. The picturesque routes lead The La Toja golf course on an
through hills and lush island in Galicia
meadows, passing historic
towns and ancient Golf and Tennis
monasteries. Among the best The success of golfers such as
routes in Northern Spain are
the Vía Verde del Plazaola in Ballesteros, Olazábal, Jiménez
Navarra (40 km/ 25 miles) and and Sergio García is thanks in
the Vía Verde del Río Oja in La no small part to the excellent
Rioja (28 km/ 17 miles). standard of Spanish golf
courses. The number of golf
courses is steadily increasing,
Cyclists on the Vía Verde del Río Oja too. From Galicia to northern
route in La Rioja Catalonia, visitors will find golf
courses to suit all types of

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