Camino de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela

National GeographicJun 26

7 equestrian experiences to embrace your inner cowboy

These trips let you discover some of the world's most iconic horse-riding cultures and traditions — and explore wild landscapes straight from the saddle.

Ride a traditional Spanish horse along grassy mountains and coastal trails.

14 things in this story

Camino de SantiagoTrailRide a traditional Spanish horse along grassy mountains and coastal trails.
Elsewhere
Kazakh eagle huntersPlaceBayan-Ulgii, MongoliaAttend annual festivals to watch demonstrations across the steppe.
Marwari horsesPlaceRajasthan, IndiaChosen companions of Rajput clans, prized cavalry horses.
Chittorgarh fortressSightChittorgarh, IndiaExplore historical walkways from the saddle of a Marwari.
Pushkar Camel FairFestivalPushkar, IndiaAttendees trade horses, cattle, and camels.
Argentine gauchoPlacePampas, ArgentinaLearn cattle herding and navigating terrain at estancias.
Icelandic horsesPlaceIcelandExperience unique movement like pacing and tölt on guided rides.
rettirFestivalIcelandAttend annual sheep roundups in September and October.
stóðréttirFestivalIcelandAttend annual horse roundups in September and October.
Borders Common RidingsFestivalScottish Borders, United KingdomExperience cultural reenactments from May to September.
Bandera, TexasNeighborhoodBandera, United StatesNicknamed the ‘cowboy capital of the world’.
Lexington, KentuckyNeighborhoodLexington, United StatesEarned the extravagant title of ‘horse capital of the world’.
Horse Nations Indian Relay CouncilPlaceUS, United StatesCompetitors race without saddles across the US and Canada.
Feria del CaballoFestivalJerez, SpainCelebrates elaborate horseback parades and flamenco performances.

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National GeographicMar 12, 2025

Germany’s Camino trek rivals Spain’s famous pilgrimage—and is a lot less crowded

In Spain, a record-breaking number of pilgrims have attempted the Camino de Santiago (or the Way of St. James), turning the once contemplative pilgrimage or secular hike into a popular tourist ...

network of 281 routes, encompassing more than 51,500 miles

16 things in this story

Camino de SantiagoTrailnetwork of 281 routes, encompassing more than 51,500 miles
Camino FrancésTrailstretches from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela
Elsewhere
Stolzenfels CastleSightKoblenz, Germanymarks the beginning of the Moselle Camino
Hornbach AbbeyHotelHornbach, Germany8th-century monastery that now doubles as a 4-star hotel
Alexanderplatz stationSightBerlin, Germanystarting point for the Brandenburg Way
The Benedictine Abbey of St. MatthiasSightTrier, Germanyendpoint of the Moselle Camino in Trier
Imperial Cathedral, SpeyerMuseumSpeyer, Germanybasilica served as a burial ground for eight German emperors
Blieskastel GollensteinSightBlieskastel, Germany4,000-year-old monolith along the Palatinate Way
Eltz CastleAttractionWierschem, Germanywell-preserved castle's origin dates back to the 12th century
Hakenberg Victory ColumnSightFehrbellin, Germanymonument built in honor of Brandenburg's victory
German CaminoTrailBerlin, Germanyoffers historic landmarks, scenery, and a similar hiking experience
Camino NinjaPlaceBerlin, Germanyapp for Camino and German-language resources
Camino LovePlaceBerlin, Germanyapp to view maps and plan daily itineraries
Moselle CaminoTrailTrier, Germany100-mile section from Koblenz to Trier
Palatinate Way of St. James, The Northern RouteTrailSpeyer, Germany93-mile trek in the Rhineland Palatinate
Brandenburg Way of St. JamesTrailBerlin, Germany132-mile route from Berlin to Tangermünde

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National GeographicFeb 10, 2025

Why Slovenia is Europe’s best-kept secret for hikers

Europe has long been a popular vacation destination, be it for a steamy summer vacation or a Christmas market train journey. For hiking enthusiasts, Europe offers a seemingly endless bounty of ...

Long-distance hiking pilgrimage route

19 things in this story

Camino de SantiagoTrailLong-distance hiking pilgrimage route
Elsewhere
Postojna CaveSightPostojna, SloveniaCave system near Predjama Castle, accessible by train
Lake BledSightBled, SloveniaIconic Slovenian destination with short, easy hikes
MadeiraSightFunchal, PortugalIsland known for gentle levada walks
Triglav National ParkSightBled, SloveniaSlovenia's only national park, home to challenging routes
TriglavHotelBled, SloveniaSlovenia's highest peak, a technical hike
Triglavski Dom na KredariciHotelBled, SloveniaSlovenia's highest mountain lodge for overnight stays
Alpe-Adria TrailTrailVillach, Austria460-mile trail traversing Slovenia, Austria, and Italy
Soča ValleyNeighborhoodBovec, SloveniaFairytale-like forests in the Slovenian section of Alpe-Adria Trail
Skocjanske JameSightDivača, SloveniaUNESCO World Heritage cave system with underground paths
Reka RiverSightDivača, SloveniaRiver crossed by a bridge within Skocjan Caves
Predjama CastleSightPostojna, SloveniaMedieval castle set into a cliff near Postojna Cave
Trail of TrappistsTrailVipava Valley, SloveniaExplores old wine transport routes
Walk of PeaceTrailNova Gorica, Slovenia67-mile stretch with war remnants between Alps and Adriatic
Kobarid Historic TrailTrailKobarid, SloveniaTrail with forests, waterfalls, and WWI bunker remnants
Kobarid MuseumMuseumKobarid, SloveniaWWI-focused museum on the Kobarid Historic Trail
Velika PlaninaSightKamnik, SloveniaMountain plateau with herdsmen huts, accessible by cable car
Rupnik LineSightLjubljana, Slovenia
Soča FrontlineSightBovec, Slovenia

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Camino de Santiago

In the coverage3 stories

7 equestrian experiences to embrace your inner cowboy

Germany’s Camino trek rivals Spain’s famous pilgrimage—and is a lot less crowded

Why Slovenia is Europe’s best-kept secret for hikers