Solo Female Adventure in La Guardia

Written by Lupita

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Europe | Uncategorized

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September 27, 2024

Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Spain, La Guardia is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and picturesque vineyards, it offers an unforgettable hiking experience. Recently, I embarked on an solo female adventure in La Guardia that took me through the breathtaking trails of this charming town.

The Trail Begins

When I got to Spain, I rented a car. Later, I realized it probably wasn’t the best decision financially due to the insurance costs and so on, but it did make the logistics of my solo female adventure in La Guardia from point to point a lot easier than it would have been taking public transit.

Black rental car parked on a street in Galicia, Spain — A rental car made getting around La Guardia much easier than public transit.

Hannah taking a selfie on a hillside above the coast in La Guardia — Solo hiking in La Guardia.

I headed down to my old hometown of La Guardia on the border of Spain and Portgual. This is where I laid to rest the ashes of my beloved dogs Jubi and Max a few years ago. It always feels so nice to pull into the beach front town where you can hear the waves and smell the sea water.

Rooftops of La Guardia and the Atlantic coast from a hillside path — La Guardia and the Atlantic from above.

Wooden boardwalk along the Atlantic coast in La Guardia — La senda litoral, the coastal path.

During my time there, I enjoyed some of my favorite foods I used to get from the local grocery store. I did a lot of hiking. I also reminiced about my beloved dogs and walking the paths where i had spread their ashes, and meeting up with another local friend, Paula. Since I last saw her, she now has a son and is married, so it was nice to meet her son and see her dog Jara again. I met her because our dogs became friends on a beachfront walk a few years ago. Her dog Jara remembered me right away.

Mountain, Forest, and Beach

Pine forest near the beach in La Guardia — Celtic symbols painted on the pines near the beach.

Beach sign and dunes at Playa O Muiño in La Guardia — Playa O Muiño.

I hiked familiar trails and new trails, spending quite a few hours hiking, wading in the ocean water, and walking along the coast. For a while, I had been wanting to explore some of those new trails for a while. Also as a surprise, when I hiked up to the church at the top of Monte Santa Tecla, the church was open. Finally! I have hiked there many times before and it’s never been open, so I had the pleasure of going inside and writing a little inscription in the prayer book.

Bare feet on wet sand at the beach in La Guardia — Toes in the sand.

Wooden walkway beside a sandy beach at Camposancos in La Guardia — The coastal path at Camposancos.

White church facade in La Guardia, Spain — A church in La Guardia.

Interior of the church at the top of Monte Santa Tecla — The church on Monte Santa Tecla was open for the first time in all my visits.

Some beautiful, peaceful time spent in nature, and with a slower pace of life. I hiked up to the castle, over to Camposancos, through the woods in Monte Santa Tecla, then along the coast, and even to a secret spot my dog Max and I had discovered.

Stone gate in the walls of the castle in La Guardia, Spain — The castle gate in La Guardia.

Hannah taking a selfie in a stone archway at the castle in La Guardia — Exploring the castle.

Grassy path along the castle walls in La Guardia, Spain — Walking the castle ramparts.

Old stone public washing basin in Galicia, Spain — An old stone fuente lavadero.

Visits to La Guardia are always full of reminiscing.

Take a look at my trip to the Pyrenees to see some other solo female hiking adventures, if you liked this one!

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