Walking the River Trails & Canyons of Castile

This trip can start any day of the week from mid April into July and September through October and the first weeks of November.

During these times, daytime temperatures will range between 10°-25°c. It can be changeable but expect some rain in April with the weather generally more settled in May and June as well as September. It can be damp in October but, just like early spring, it could be glorious and the colours in autumn are just lovely.

The ideal start day is Wednesday as you will then reach the village of Orbaneja for the weekend when the restaurants will be open. We can work with start dates on other days of the week, there will just be fewer options in the village of Orbaneja.

Peak season is from mid July to end of August but we do not generally offer this trip during that period as the area is busier with summer holiday makers from Spain, and it is too warm for this trip to be enjoyable.

We do guarantee only one departure a day, so if you have a limited travel window and specific dates we suggest you book around nine months ahead. If you are flexible with dates, then three-four months ahead should be fine.

Total carbon generated on this trip: 351kg per person
Carbon mitigated by us: 562kg per person

As Yvon Chouinard, of Patagonia, Inc. rightly declared: “To do good, you actually have to do something.”

Therefore, for every kilometre travelled by road, air and sea on your Pura Aventura holiday, we carbon balance it by a mile - i.e. by 160% of your trip's carbon, from your front door and back again, irrespective of whether we book your international travel or not.

This is one of the travel industry's most ambitious and innovative schemes and has recently been praised by Wanderlust, Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent.

If you prefer to travel by ferry, see below for more details on how this can cut the footprint of this trip.

Yes, you certainly can, travelling as a foot passenger with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth or Plymouth. This 'No Fly' option would cut the carbon footprint for this trip by around 70%.

Please note though that the cost difference compared to flying is higher than if you were taking your own car on a self-drive trip. Expect to pay around £200 per person extra. That includes your own sleeping cabins and usually breakfasts and dinner. You might prefer to maximise this 'investment' by staying for longer and combining your walk with time spent elsewhere in northern Spain if you can stay for longer.

There are regular sailings between Portsmouth and Santander/Bilbao, and between Plymouth and Santander, and we will happily advise on your options. Both the start and end points of this trip are within a couple of hours or so of the Spanish ports, so it's all very comfortable.

Timed right, in 2021 you will spend one night aboard the ferry in each direction. As of 2022, outbound sailings from Portsmouth will take around 30 hours and require two nights on board. The pay off for this is that the new ferries will cut carbon emissions by a further 25% compared to the current boats. The return journeys are usually then just one night. There are no planned changes for the Plymouth route, so it's one night both ways.

Receive Full Details & Ask About No Fly Options

In common with all of our Inn to Inn walking holidays, most of the costs of the tour are fixed so going solo will usually mean you pay nearly the same for one person as you would for two. If you enjoy walking alone and time to yourself then the experience itself will be absolutely lovely, and safe.

You can expect to be walking for an average of between five and six hours at a comfortable pace, with plenty of time for a picnic and to enjoy the countryside. The longest walk is 21km but it is largely flat. Elevation gains/losses throughout the week are not dramatic. Some days you will leave on foot from your hotel, but mostly you will be transferred by road to be dropped off at the start of the walk .

Altitude gains and losses are not significant on this trip, with height differences of below 300m except the first days descent of 500m, but it is gradual, not steep.

We provide detailed OS maps, walking notes and a smart phone with a GPS-enabled navigation device - your route is pre-loaded. Most of our guests like to navigate using maps and written notes but appreciate having the reassurance of the GPS just to check if they feel unsure at any point.

With all of the navigational tools at your disposal, and the friendly locals, you are unlikely to get lost but if you do get into any difficulties, simply call the local support number - we are always on hand 24/7.

Your main luggage is transferred ahead for you each day you move on. This is the case with all our Inn to Inn trips. You just carry a day pack with what you need for the day. The hotels are very familiar with this system.

Yes, it's usually possible to skip a walk on any given day if you are tired, the weather is being unkind or you want to give your knees a rest. You can hop in with the luggage transfer and travel to your next hotel by vehicle. It's best to let us know the night before if you can so we can let everyone know.

You can of course use the circular routes as rest days and opt out of the walk that day and explore the local area instead. At any time you can check with us through our support contact number to help you arrange any changes.

Accommodation is in a range of comfortable and very friendly inns along the way. The first hotel in the city of Burgos is a very good 4-star hotel in the heart of Burgos. Your next hotel is just outside the village of Polientes where you stay in a very nice converted mill by the river.

Moving on to the village of Orbaneja you stay in a small posada. It is fairly simple but the best accommodation in the village. The terrace is lovely. Your next stop is Molino del Canto where you stay two nights with Javier and his family in their converted water mill. It is rustic but very nicely done with loads of personality, and Javier is an excellent host. Your last stop is Oña where you stay in a very nice small posada.

Yes! One advantage of the slow pace of an Inn to Inn walk is that it allows you to enjoy not only nature but the rich rural culture of the area. Although the way of life has been changing quickly in the last 50 years this trip gives you a good insight on Spanish rural reality.

You will still see relatively few people in the villages of this area in what has become to be known as "empty Spain". Most young people have left the villages for the cities leaving just the elderly relatives to stay. Small tourism enterprises like the ones you will stay in during this trip are one of the few ways to keep populations in this area.

Why not spend some time in Madrid before your trip? We can make the arrangements for you and also book the train from Madrid to Burgos where you start the walking holiday.

This holiday can be tailored to suit you in certain ways though as an inn to inn walk, we can't easily deviate from the route without compromising the trip.

Extending the trip is perfectly possible, either combining it with another Inn to Inn holiday or picking up a rental car in Bilbao. La Rioja is very close to the end of your walk, as it is the Camino de Santiago or the Picos de Europa Inn to Inns. From Bilbao you can explore the Basque Country or traverse west along the Cantabrian coast or east along the Pyrenees.

We take a 20% deposit to secure your holiday, with the remainder due ten weeks before your departure.

Your money is 100% protected through our ATOL licence if your trip includes a flight booked through us, or through our ABTOT bond if it does not. Either way, this protection provides a cast-iron financial guarantee and helps you book with complete peace of mind. Because the contract between us exists here in the UK, you get this protection regardless of where you live.

As always, our covid-19 policies ensure you have complete flexibility, just in case. Throughout the pandemic we have frequently been praised by Which? as a tour operator to trust, so you're in good hands. Your safety is always our top priority and we want you to be able to fully look forward to and enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.