Take a look at some of our favourite European walking holidays for winter.

If you’ve been walking on the Spanish mainland, or have been to the Canaries before and you come to La Gomera, you’ll probably notice that the second smallest island of the Canaries is something special, and altogether quite different. Some people liken it to Spain in the 1970s, but if you have travelled to countries of Central or South America, there are certainly Latin American elements that you will recognize in the villages and landscapes. Take a circular walk around almost the entire island, allowing you to experience the amazing diversity of landscapes on offer.

 

Exploring La Gomera is available as an 8-day or 11-day trip.

 

 

This trip focusses on the sunny south side of La Gomera. The shorter walking days will give you the opportunity to do other activities such as relax by the sea, snorkelling, kayaking or whale watching. Experience coastal walks, quiet beaches, mountains and pretty, quiet towns. Or, what about a visit to Roque Agando – dubbed the Matterhorn of La Gomera because of its pyramid-like shape. This is a lovely winter walking trip that allows you to relax and take it easy as well as giving your body a moderate work-out.

 

Find out more about Southern Trails of La Gomera

 

 

Madeira celebrated the 600th anniversary of its discovery by the Portuguese in 2019 – and it's easy to see why this island has become such a popular, year-round destination for holiday-makers. Best known for its cornucopia of gourmet food and wine, year-round mild, sunny climate and breath-taking scenery, Madeira is the ideal destination to visit at any time of year and an excellent winter walking option. This trip is focused on the south and eastern parts of the island, where you’ll have the chance to stay in small charismatic villages full of friendly locals, explore lush green levada walking trails and feel on top of the world as you perch on the highest peak in Madeira.  

 

Find out more about Madeira Island Walking

 

 

Seemingly isolated in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has been at the cockpit of western history for thousands of years, notably during the medieval crusades, when it acted as a launch pad for the crusaders. A few kilometres inland from the busy coastal resorts, an older world prevails. Discover sleepy villages, farms and forests with fabled mountain views. Legend has it that Aphrodite, the goddess of love, brought her lover Adonis to the beautiful Akamas peninsula. When walking in Cyprus this winter, you get to experience the land of the Greek gods. 

 

 

 

This lovely walk starts in France and finishes in Spain, along the coast where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. It’s a great trip for art lovers – starting in the former fishing village of Collioure, where the colourful Fauve school of painting began, and finishing in Figueres, home to the Salvador Dali museum. In between, you’ll discover on foot charming towns and fishing villages, beautiful scenery and delicious food and wine.

 

Find out more about Hiking the Vermillion Coast

 

 

This walk takes place in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, the second largest Natural Park of Andalucia, situated close to the border with Portugal. The rolling hills and white villages offer wonderful walking opportunities in the winter months. The character of the villages has changed little over the centuries, their history reflected in their architecture and the landscape surrounding them. On your walks, you pass along Roman cobbled tracks, glimpsing abandoned watermills and ancient hill forts left by the Moors. This is also a great trip for bird-lovers – the area is rich in many important species including the black vulture, and golden, short-toes and and Bonelli’s eagles.

 

Find out more about Smugglers Trails of the Sierra de Aracena