8 nature getaways for the October long weekend in Spain

Those who want to experience the Pilar festivities in Zaragoza in 2026 while also enjoying nature can take a day trip from the city to Moncayo Natural Park. The mountain, located between Zaragoza and Soria, changes dramatically as altitude increases, with the Dehesa del Moncayo forest becoming one of its main autumn attractions.

From the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Moncayo, several walking routes begin, allowing visitors to explore the area without climbing to the summit. The route to the Fuente de los Frailes and walks around Agramonte are ideal for a leisurely day out. You can also visit Tarazona, located just a short distance away.

In the east of Burgos province, this mountain range offers some of the region's most attractive landscapes for an autumn getaway, with extensive beech, oak and pine forests. Pradoluengo is an excellent starting point for following the trail to the source of the Oropesa River, a route that includes the Batanes Trail, linked to the area's textile heritage.

Another option is to explore a section of the Vía Verde, a greenway following the route of a former mining railway. In terms of heritage, Pineda de la Sierra is worth a visit for its traditional houses and Romanesque church, while the Neila Lagoons provide the spectacular mountain scenery that rounds off the getaway.

Ezcaray is one of La Rioja's most appealing nature destinations, with mountain landscapes and fine cuisine during the October long weekend, located close to the Sierra de la Demanda range in Burgos province. The town preserves its traditional mountain architecture and lies beside the Oja beech forests, where the Bonicaparra Beech Forest offers easy hiking routes.

There are options for every pace. A short three-kilometre trail allows visitors to explore the surroundings with little physical effort, while longer itineraries connect Ezcaray with Turza, Bonicaparra and the Monte Hondo beech forest. Afterwards, the town centre invites visitors to stroll through its squares and admire its historic buildings.

The Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, inland from Girona, is one of the most distinctive destinations for the October long weekend. This natural park is home to nearly 40 volcanic cones, and more than 20 lava flows, now covered by forests, farmland and small rural villages.

Autumn is one of the best times to explore the area. The trails become quieter, while beech, oak and chestnut trees transform the landscape with vibrant colours. The most popular route leads to the Fageda d'en Jordà, a beech forest growing on an ancient lava flow. Visitors can also climb the Santa Margarida and Croscat volcanoes.

Rather than cliffs and coves, this natural park is characterised by a vast plain of rice fields, lagoons, dunes and open beaches shaped by the mouth of Spain's largest river by volume. October is a particularly attractive time to visit, thanks to milder temperatures and abundant birdlife.

The Encanyissada and Tancada lagoons, the walk along the river mouth and the area's viewpoints allow visitors to experience the delta's different environments with minimal effort. It is also a renowned culinary destination, where rice dishes, local fish and seafood are an essential part of the experience.

The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park retains its unique charm in October, with volcanic beaches and coves enjoying fewer visitors than in summer, milder temperatures and pleasant evening light. Although the summer season has ended, it remains an excellent time to explore the coastline on foot and discover its landscapes without the crowds.

San José is a good base for visiting the beaches of Los Genoveses and Mónsul, while Rodalquilar offers an insight into the area's former mining activity. At the eastern end of the park, the Cabo de Gata lighthouse and the Arrecife de las Sirenas provide one of the most iconic views on the Almería coast.

The Ribeira Sacra is transformed in autumn by the changing colours of its vineyards and the forests lining the canyons of the Sil and Miño rivers. Spread across Lugo and Ourense provinces, it is an excellent destination for those seeking hiking routes, viewpoints, Romanesque heritage and Galician cuisine.

The viewpoints over the Sil River offer sweeping views of the terraced vineyards that shape the hillsides, while boat trips provide a different perspective of the canyon. It is also worth setting aside time to visit one of the area's Romanesque monasteries and sample wines produced under the local Denomination of Origin.

The Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park is one of Spain's finest nature destinations for the October long weekend, when the beech, maple and fir forests of the Ordesa Valley begin to display their autumn palette of colours.

From Torla-Ordesa, visitors can access the valley and its main routes, including the trail to the Arripas Waterfall, the Soaso terraces and the Cola de Caballo Waterfall, the latter requiring a longer hike. Before travelling, it is advisable to check access conditions and weather forecasts, as conditions can change quickly in October.