Page 613 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES  611

provide wetsuits and experi-
enced guides – a must for
novices – for €45 per person.
Most services and lodging
are in, or near, the pretty town
of Alquezar.
Another fun way to explore
rivers is whitewater rafting.
Although Spain is not known
for its raging rivers, there
are a few places where some
white water can be found.
Head for the rivers: Noguera
Pallaresa in Catalunya, the
Carasa in Asturias or the
Whitewater rafting in the Spanish Pyrenees Miño in Galicia. Late spring
and early summer are the
dozens of marine species. is now available in many best times for rafting, since
In the Mediterranean, head to Mediterranean resort towns. run-off from melted snow
the Balearic Islands or to the Since rentals are cheap and little ensures a good deal of water
Illes Medes, seven tiny islets prior experience is necessary, and big rapids.
off the Costa Brava that are kayaking is a great option for
home to some of the most boating novices who might
diverse marine life in all the want to spend some time out
Mediterranean. The local Illes on the water.
Medes information office,
Estació Nàutica, will provide
detailed information about Adventure Sports
area outfitters. Since Spain is Europe’s second-
Surfing and windsurfing are most-mountainous country
other popular sports. On main- after Switzerland, mountain
land Spain the best places for climbing is a natural sport
either kind of surfing are the here. Head to the Aragón
Basque coast (especially towns Pyrenees or the Catalan
such as Zarautz and Mundaka) Pyrenees for a wide range of
and Tarifa, which is also good challenging rock faces.
for kitesurfing, on the Costa de Other popular spots include
la Luz. In the Canary islands, the mountain of Montserrat in
try Lanzarote or Fuerteventura Catalonia, the Parque Natural Climbing a sheer rock face in the Parque
for surfing and El Médano de los Cañones y Sierra de Nacional de Ordesa, Aragón
(Tenerife) for windsurfing. El Guara in Aragón, the Sierra
Médano’s Surf Center Playa Sur Nevada in Andalucía and the Fishing
has information. Picos de Europa in Asturias. Deep-sea fishing excursions are
Sea kayaking is becoming For more information, offered all along Spain’s coasts.
very popular and kayak rental contact the Federación Fishing in the Mediterranean
Española de Deportes de or the Atlantic is unregulated
Montaña y Escalada. except for marine reserves and
If mere mountain climbing some parks. Trout fishing in
doesn’t sound interesting lakes and streams is possible;
enough, go for barranquismo some of the best trout rivers
(canyoning), a thrilling adven- are in Asturias, Rioja and Castilla
ture sport that lets you y León. It is challenging to
explore canyons, cliffs and fish in the narrow, tree-lined
rivers with a combination of streams of the Pyrenees.
hiking, climbing, rappelling It is essential to acquire
and swimming. a seasonal or a daily permit
The undisputed capital of specifying if the fishing area is
canyoning is Parque Natural sin muerte (catch and release).
de la Sierra y los Cañones de Bring your own equipment, as
Guara, a park and natural only a few companies offer
area in central Aragón that guided trips. For details on
is home to dozens of “wet” fishing sites and regulations,
Windsurfing near Tarifa, on Southern and “dry” canyons. Outfitters contact Federación Española
Spain’s Costa de la Luz such as Camping Lecina de Pesca y Casting.

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