Medieval Spain began with the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century and ended with the final stages of the Muslim versus Christian war called the Reconquista in 1492. During this time, Spain endured over 700 years of occupation by the Moors. It was a period of warfare and battles, and alliances and betrayals between the kingdoms and dynasties of the time. This incredibly exciting period of history left an enduring mark in the form of castles, fortresses and walled towns throughout Spain, as well as in the many Spanish words and place names of Arabic origin.

It was during this time that many Christians sought to close the distance between themselves and God by undertaking a physical journey – or pilgrimage – toward a spiritual end. In the 11th and 12th centuries, huge numbers of pilgrims flocked from all over Europe to the Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, where the relics of the apostle Saint James the Greater were believed to have been discovered.

Many of these ancient pilgrims’ trails remain today and form a great part of the trail system a modern trekker will travel. As you hike along these ancient trails, you will be walking where religious travellers once did, and even if you aren’t on a spiritual journey, the beauty of Spain is a miracle itself.

And there are no places better for experiencing this intersection of superb hiking and medieval history than Rupit, Covarrubias and Salamanca.

Rupit in Osona is the perfect destination for a hiking day trip. Just north of Barcelona, Rupit is a medieval-origin village built under the rock where the Rupit castle stood 1,000 years ago, and is one of the most beautifully preserved villages in Catalonia. Walking through its charming cobblestone streets you will see stone houses and cafes built directly into the rocky side of the Cingles de Tavertet sandstone cliffs and feel transported back in time.

The Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia is an outstanding region for those wanting to get out and explore nature. Forming the border between France and Spain these mountains play host to some of the most stunning scenery in a country known for its landscapes. Think of gorges filled with glasslike lakes, hiking trails hewn into rock faces and Romanesque churches dotted in nearly every mountain village you trek through.

Rupitis located in the Collsacabra area of the Pyrenees, one of Europe’s most famous natural wonders. Here you can follow ancient paths through forests of beeches and oaks, and spy wildlife such as vultures, eagles, newts, salamanders, honeyeaters, deer and badgers. Follow trails up to the natural plateau rising from the woods below, where you will see breathtaking views of the Susqueda reservoir. The trails also lead to the famous Salt de Sallent, the highest waterfall in Catalonia standing at 115 meters tall. Tumbling between soaring rock walls it is a sight not to be missed, particularly after rains.

Approximately two hours from Madrid lies the medieval village of Covarrubias. Located in the province of Burgos, Covarrubias has been a draw for discerning travellers for decades. The village itself has been declared a conservation area, both because of its charming buildings and its medieval history, which includes the Doña Urraca Tower, a 10th century Mozarabic construction.

Covarrubias was founded in the 7th century by Visigothic king Chindasuinth and was one of the first areas to be reconquered by the Moors in the late 9th century. Part of its fame lies in the fact that the Princess Christina of Norway, Infanta of Castile, travelled from TØnsberg to Spain in 1257, and was later buried in Covarrubias.

Covarrubias lies in the valley of the river Arlanza, which is extensively wooded with Spanish Juniper and is a protected bird-life area, most famous as the home of the imposing griffon vulture. The hiking trails in this area are phenomenal. Follow them as they meander beside the Arlanza River through rocky gorges and wooded valleys and past medieval villages and remote hermitages.

Climb the hillsides surrounding Covarrubias to the top of the ridge, taking breaks at the Tenadas del Campo and the Tenadas de Valcarcel, and you are rewarded with a spectacular view of mount San Carlos. Don’t miss the stunning La YeclaGorge, especially after it rains, as the sound of the thundering waterfall echoing through the gorge is incredibly magnificent.

Another trail climbs through vineyards, forests and farmlands before ending in the lovely village of Retuerta. Or climb through the dense forests just outside of Covarrubias to the limestone ridges surrounding it and you can see awe inspiring views of the Sierra de la Demanda.

In 220 B.C., Carthaginian general Hannibal and his famous battalion of 40 elephants laid siege to the pre-Roman city of Salmantica. This episode put Salamanca on the map but was only a pre-cursor of things to come. During the early middle ages, Salamanca, subject to constant attacks by the warring Moors and Christians, went into decline. But towards the end of the 11th century, French Count Raymond de Bourgogne settled there and began to restore declining buildings, including the Episcopal See in 1102, and building new ones, including a stunning cathedral. In 1218 the EstudiosGenerales (the General School), the precursor to the future university, was created.

Hiking in the Salamanca area is superb, if lesser known. The Sierra de Francia, a mountain range located at the southern end of Salamanca Province, has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Its landscape of craggy mountains populated by masses of wooded slopes and valleys through which rivers and streams run, is not to be missed. Climb to the peak of La Hastiala, the highest point of the mountain range, or to La Peña de Francia, a plateau soaring above the forests below. At its top there is a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Las Batuecas, a valley located between Salamanca and the province of Cáceres, is one superb part of the Sierra de Francia area and is given its name from the river that winds through it. In this valley you can wander through forests of oaks, pines and chestnuts, and watch for a stunning variety of wildlife, including mountain goats, wild cats, badgers, lynx, marten, otter, roe deer and wild boar. Bring your binoculars to spy a glimpse of vultures, eagles, owls and peregrine falcons.