Barbate is fishing village in Spain. Apart from rich fishing history specifically for bluefin tuna (you can also visit a museum outside of the village), it features La Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park between Barbate and Los Caños de Meca. It is possible to cycle or walk on nice path along A-2233, but I would recommend following Sendero El Acantilado SL-A 111.
Alternatively you can walk both to make a loop. The trail El Acantilado is beautiful trail along cliffs with the main highlight of tower Torre del Tajo, that sits right on 100m cliff. If starting the trail from the Barbate beach, it is part of long distance trail GR145.
GETTING THERE
Barcelona – 1150km (11h 45min)
Sevilla – 170km (2h)
Coimbra – 210km (2h 40min)
By car: Park at one of the 3 parking lots along A-2233 approaching Barbate from Los Canos de Meca. The middle one is for official El Acantilado.
By public transport: No public transport
By bike: Follow bike path Velo 8 from Barbate or Los Canos de Meca. Take caution at the villages as the bike paths end there. The path has hills.
Camper/ Van overnight stay: I have stayed at Área de Autocaravanas Puerto de Barbate. In low season 13 EUR. Electricity extra for 2 EUR, free showers and toilets. The campsite is less than 1km away from trail head.
Alternatively, stay for free at the large parking lot between Pena de Baile dance school and start of the Barbate village.
TRAIL NAVIGATION
Take picture of the map at the trail head. The navigation is easy, the markings are sporadic but still easy to follow. Major turns have directional posts. El Acantilado has green stripes on wooden poles and the long distance trail has white and red. Since they overlap quickly, you will see all three stripes along the trail.
Important: Do not deviate from marked trail as the rest of the area is private hunting ground according to signs “Coto privado de Caza”.
TRAIL DETAILS
Easy trail with mild elevation incline most of the way. The terrain is mostly easy for walking, especially from Barbate to the tower. There is some scree androcks in some parts, so take caution but for most part is really easy and it is possible to do with children or dogs. You will walk along trees and cliff side offering great views on the village of Barbate up until the tower. Enjoy great cliff views with drop over 100 meters and take break on one of the picnic areas. From the tower to village Los Canos the trail becomes more and more sandy with the last portion going through very soft sand. This is the most challenging part of the trail and is the reason I marked the trail difficulty as medium.
If you start or continue to the village of Los Canos the Meca, you will walk a while along residential area before the trail start. Also in case you wish to do a loop on the bike path cutting through the national park. Walk El Alcantilado there and back or you can opt for one of the alternative routes.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTES:
Barbate to the tower and back – 7-8 km
Starting at the beach parking lot. Walk up on the bike path to the Alcandilo trail or follow GR 145 trail, which is very sandy until it connects to Alcandilo trail. Walk to the tower and then back.
Torre del Tajo loop – 8-10 km
Starting at the beach parking lot or at the Alcandilo parking lot, follow the trail along the coastline. Just before the tower there is trail split, so after sightseeing at the tower, you can follow Torre del Tajo route and then descent back on the bike path. Or start at parking lot Torre del Tajo and complete the loop in opposite direction.
Big loop – 15km
Follow the bike path along A-2233 over the nature park, all the way until it ends at Los Canos de Meca. Continue downhill towards the sea. At the end of the road continue to your left for almost 1km. Once the road starts going up, there will be start/end of El Acantilado trail and follow the trail back to the start. Also possible to do it in opposite direction.
Big loop plus Torre de Mecca loop – 20km
Exactly same as above but on the bike path at rest spots Área Recreativa Majales del Sol, follow the 5km loop walk. You can find public restrooms and restaurant at the trail head.
OTHER DETAILS
Tree coverage: Minimal tree coverage, zero shade on hot days. Bring sun protection.
Geocaching: There is one geocache and no Adventure labs along the trail.
Dogs: It is possible to do the trail with dog, but it must be leashed.
Shoes recommendation: Can be completed in any sports shoe.
Hiking poles: Not necessary
Trail running: Perfect for intermediate/advanced trail runners due to slightly challenging terrain. The incline is not overly steep but some parts are slightly technical (scree, rocks, sand)
FACILITIES
There are no facilities, so plan in advance
Restrooms: No public restroom
Restaurants: In Barbate or Los Canos de Meca, further away from trail start
Shops: In Barbate or Los Canos de Meca, further away from trail start.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I completed versions of this hike in January 2024 and 2025 on various days of the week and in various weather conditions. While it is not completely busy, do expect that the trail is popular and frequented by locals and visitors. Also, the bike path over the nature area is frequented by bikes, so be respectful and share the trail.
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