Recommendations

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIKING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

  • It is advisable to let your family or friends know the exact route you are going to take and its approximate duration
  • Calculate the time it will take you to complete the route and avoid it getting dark
  • If you are in a group, you should not separate from it to avoid getting lost
  • Pay attention to the signs and characteristics of the terrain to use them as reference points in case of getting lost
  • Do not leave the marked trails to avoid damaging the natural environment
  • Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking in the mountains, and in accordance with the weather conditions
  • Always carry enough water and wear a cap, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Do not pull out plants, as you may destroy some protected species
  • Do not smoke or use glass containers to avoid the risk of fires
  • Respect and care for rivers, fountains and other waterways
  • Always take the garbage generated, including organic garbage, with you

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SIGNAGE OF APPROVED TRAILS

An approved trail is a sports facility identified by the registered trademarks GR, PR or SL, which is preferably developed in a natural environment and on traditional roads, and which is approved by the corresponding regional and/or territorial federation.

Its characteristics must enable its use by the majority of users and throughout the year, and may be regulated for environmental and/or safety reasons. The approved trail is an integral part of a local, regional and/or regional trail network as it meets specific layout and signage requirements.

 

The objectives of the approved trails are:

  • To facilitate the user's practice of hiking, preferably in rural areas, providing safety, quality and information about the activity to be carried out.
  • To encourage knowledge of the natural environment and the elements of the rural tradition of the spaces through which they travel, seeking a respectful, cultural and environmental practice.

Signage and types of trails

The federative trail markings used belong to the so-called “Latin group” which includes those of Portugal, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland, with great similarity between them all.

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  • Long Distance Trails (GR). These are routes or paths of more than 50 kilometres that can be done in more than one day. There are also some routes with less than 50 km marked as GR. The markings are white and red and their sign is GR and a number corresponding to a national series.
  • Short Distance Trails (PR). These are routes or paths with more than 10 kilometres and less than 50, which can be done in one day. The markings are white and yellow and their sign is PR followed by the territorial code and the numerical code that identifies the route. These trails may have associated variants, derivations and links.
  • Local Trails (SL). These are local trails or routes with less than 10 kilometres in distance. The markings are white and green and their sign is SL followed by the numerical code that identifies the route within a territory.
  • Variants. These are trails that start and converge on the same trail at two different points. The variants will be marked as the actual trail from which they start and named by consecutive numbers.
  • The derivations. These are sections, always signposted, that start from a GR or a PR approved and that link the trails with nearby elements of interest. They always imply that the outward and return route from and to the main trail will be along the same route. They will always have the same signage as the main trail or the variants, but they will never have signs with the same signage.
  • The links. These are trails that join other trails, two of equal or different rank.