A relaxed walking break in Northern Spain

Jen and Jim Holgan have been taking Spice members in Scotland walking for almost 20 years and in that time have led 100's of walks. We thought their blend of social walking at a leisurely pace an ideal compliment to the chilled atmosphere that is Agara so here we go with an offering of some lovely walking in the area.

This is a walking holiday but with the aim of being a little more 'easy going' than our usual trips with WalkWise. Be under no illusion however, you'll be getting you boots on, will need full walking kit and miles will be done. Jen and Jim have visited Agara and have scouted all the routes involved. On this holiday rather than Jen and Jim leading the walks you will be joining them both for a walk; they have the routes and you are invited along for the ride (or rather walk.

Jen and Jim have used this format of informal walking with huge success for Spice Scotland and have grown quite a following as while Jen has a more leisurely pace to her walking, if you want something a little further or faster Jim is more than willing to pick up the pace a little. They are both experienced walkers here in the UK and internationally (they went with Spice Escapes on our recent trip to climb Kilimanjaro!) so know where you will he heading.

While this trip will have walking available on at least 4 days of the week, the focus is on balance - walking and socialising, if you want something more walk focused however then maybe one of our WalkWise breaks will be your choice.

The plan, step by step

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Jen and Jim have been out to Agara to sample the walking and they have extensively walked the area to find some lovely walks for our trip. Some examples of distances and height gains are shown below to give an idea of what to expect. Some of these may be linked if needed.
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St Vincent to Playa de Oyambre
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Area of walk: Coastal, Route Type: Linear
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Distance Miles: 4.74, Distance Km: 7.6, Altitude gain m/ft: 100/325
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From to: Playa de Valderenas car park to Costa Quebrada view point
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Area of walk: Coastal, Route Type: Out & Back
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Distance Miles: 3.74, Distance Km: 6.2, Altitude gain m/ft: 60/200
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Santander sea front
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Route Type: circular
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Distance Miles: 6, Distance Km: 10, Altitude gain m/ft: 55/175
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Sequoias del monte Cabezon and Monte Corona
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Area of walk: Forrest, Route Type: Circular
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Distance Miles: 8.61, Distance Km: 14, Altitude gain m/ft: 245/800
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From to: Senda Flavial del Nansa (Camino river walk)
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Comments: Part of the Camino Lebaniego waymarked route
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Area of walk: RiverWalk, Route Type: Linear
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Distance Miles: 8.1, Distance Km: 13.7, Altitude gain m/ft: 430/1410
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Playa de Valdearenas west beach
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Area of walk: Coastal, Route Type: circular
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Distance Miles: 2.7, Distance Km: 4.3, Altitude gain m/ft: 25/75
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Bárcena Mayor Valley
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Area of walk: RiverWalk, Route Type: OutAndBack
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Distance Miles: 5, Distance Km: 8, Altitude gain m/ft: 107/350
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Bárcena Mayor Valley
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Area of walk: RiverWalk, Route Type: circular
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Distance Miles: 5.7. Distance Km: 9.3, Altitude gain m/ft: 183/600
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Bárcena Mayor - Alto de la Guarda
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Area of walk: Hill, Route Type: #circular
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Distance Miles: 5.19, Distance Km: 8.5, Altitude gain m/ft: 650/2130
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There will be other options that can be discussed on the holiday.

Includes

Flights including 20kg hold luggage
Transfers
7 nights accommodation
7 continental breakfasts, 7 light lunches*, 7 evening meals
Local wine, beer and spirits in the hotel just help yourself
Tea/coffee available in the house throughout the day
Transport by minibus

Optional extras

Personal Travel Insurance
Room supplement
Optional excursions
Lunches if you wish to sample the local restaurants
Personal extras

Food & drink, day by day

Included in your trip is a continental breakfast, light lunches (available if we are at the property or a picnic lunch if on a a walk or cycle ride) and evening meal everyday. Also, there will be complimentary tea/coffee available for you to help yourself to. Locally sourced spring water will be available in the house so you won’t need to worry about getting bottled water unless you really want to. Finally local wine, beer and spirits will be available between 6-12pm every day (we will ask your favourite tipple before you travel to make sure we are well stocked!); these drinks will also be available at other times for a small charge and premium brands will also be available at any time for a charge. Sample Menu (based on a 7 night stay - shorter trips will feature part of the menu) Breakfast Alternates between boiled eggs one day and fried eggs and bacon the next supported by yoghurt, muesli, cornflakes, toast, marmalade/marmite/peanut butter, fresh orange juice and endless tea and coffee. Dinner

Day 1tapas and Cava/Prosecco round the fire followed by roasted salmon with buttery new potatoes.
Day 2Homemade courgette soup spiced with Ethiopian Berbere followed by Duck confit with duck fat roasted potatoes and wilted greens.
Day 3Fresh asparagus followed by curry choices. Chicken masala, curried chestnuts and spinach curry. All with rice and homemade lime pickle, mango chutney, green tomato chutney and yoghurt accompaniment.
Day 4Tomato and mozzarella salad followed by seared tuna and new potatoes with a choice of salads.
Day 5Avocado and smoked salmon followed by Cantabrian Mountain stew (Pork and butter beans in a rich gravy)
Day 6Melon and Serrano ham followed by Tudanca beef joint (Tudanca being a local breed of cow).
Day 7Grilled Sardines followed by slow cooked Pork belly with roasted potatoes and baby leaf spinach.

We work hard to cater for all types of allergies and preferences. Oat milk is always available and gluten free is also possible if we know in advance. If most of the group prefer less fish then we will adjust the menu (and we can do the reverse too!). Roast Salmon or Tuna might be substituted for slow roasted leg of mutton with herbs and garlic, as an example. We also work hard to cater for vegetarians and vegans and to date all the guests have offered really positive feedback on the food we provide. Its hearty and nutritious with an informal presentation – that’s Agara!

What to bring

Recommended kit list but at this time of year we expect good weather. Walking boots A Water bottle (minimum 1 litre) A Rucksack with a plastic liner Waterproofs: jacket and trousers A Warm hat Warm gloves (not leather) Thick walking socks Base layer: (thin thermal or warm T-shirt. Best not to be cotton as it gets cold when wet) Over layer: (warm sweater or fleece) Comfortable walking trousers (not jeans as they are too cold & heavy when wet) Personal Medication Smart casual clothes for the evening. You may wish to bring: Trekking Poles Vacuum flask (if you like hot drinks on the hill) Medium size Tupperware container or plastic bag, to put picnic lunch in. Sit mat Sun glasses Lip salve Camera Personal first aid kit You may also wish to bring Short trousers T - Shirts Sun hat Sun tan lotion