The Pyrenees in Spain not only offer a variety of breathtaking landscaping but also an array of activities and things to do, from mountain climbing to skiing in Spain. While the geological history of the mountain range is consistent with scientific explanations, there is a much more romantic account for the construction of these mountains that originates from Greek mythology. Monte Perdido is centrally located in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, featuring a number of animals, including the rarely seen bearded vulture.

The Spanish Pyrenees Mountains stretch across a number of provinces, including Girona, Barcelona, Lleida, and Navarre, as well as several others, creating a geological barrier between Europe and the Iberian Peninsula. Historically, Catalonia and Navarre have stretched over the mountain range into what is now France; however, this is not true of today’s boundaries. According to Greek mythology, which is a culture that previously occupied this area of Spain, Pyrene, a nymph, was a lover of Hercules, who found her dying amid a fire caused by the giant Gerion, who wanted Pyrene for himself; after her tragic ending, Hercules piled up as many rocks as he could find to make her tomb, creating the mountain, and furthermore, named the pile of rocks after his beloved, Pyrenees.

Among the many things to do in the Pyrenees in Spain, hiking, white-water rafting, and skiing are among the most popular activities. Pleasant summer weather and exquisite scenery create an ideal setting for avid nature lovers, hikers, and climbers. Near the valleys of the Spanish Pyrenees, rivers flow into rapids, where visitors can reserve a number of white water rafting excursions with a qualified professional for about 30 euros. Skiing in Spain is a popular activity among many tourists, and the Pyrenees boast some of the best resorts in the country; with the most snowfall occurring during the peak winter months of January and February, the best time to take a skiing vacation can range from December into spring until April.

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One of the biggest attractions in this Spanish mountain range, Monte Perdido is the center of many vistas in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. Visitors can access the park at a route that begins in Torla, a village that resides in the region of Aragon, meandering through the Ordesa Valley and continuing up to the summit of Monte Perdido. De La Garrotxa is another national park in the Pyrenees in Spain, featuring more than 30 sleeping volcanoes, as they haven’t erupted for thousands of years. These ancient eruptions have caused the ground to be profusely fertile, leading to the verdant landscape that dominates the scenery, a refreshingly welcome alternative to the much dryer areas in other parts of the country.

Visiting the Pyrenees is ideal throughout the year, and depending on how you’d like to spend your time, each season offers ideal conditions for a variety of undertakings, from rafting to skiing in Spain, leading to a host of opportunities for extraordinary experiences surrounded by the beauty of the Iberian peninsula. This part of Europe is well worth visiting if you’re looking for a vacation in a stunning setting.