Winter won't last forever, and with the return of warmer days you'll no doubt be itching to head out hiking for a few days or more. If you're looking for spring trek ideas, here are some nearby destinations where you'll find sunshine, mild temperatures, and above all breathtaking scenery for walking!
A spring trek is always a great idea. It's a chance to rediscover the pleasure of long walks and excellent preparation for longer summer trips. It's also the best way to shake off the winter gloom. Either way, don't miss the chance to fill your lungs with fresh air in the heart of a reawakened nature, with long, mild and sunny days — and hit the trails with the right clothing for spring hiking !
Spring treks: try the Rif mountains in Morocco
In northern Morocco, close to the Mediterranean, the Rif mountain range comprises Morocco's lowest mountains — ideal in spring and also accessible in the heart of winter. You'll find vast, lush oak forests and slopes blanketed with wild flowers. A multi-day trek through the Talassemtane National Park is perfect for discovering a host of Berber villages beneath a gentle sun and pleasant Mediterranean air. The scenery is stunning and there are plenty of route options, ranging from 4-day walks to 10-day treks.
Spring treks: walking in Tenerife in the Canary Islands
Head south to guarantee sun before anyone else! The Canary Islands offer a dream setting combining sea and mountains with an exceptional climate! With the Teide volcano at 3,718 metres above sea level, you get a sense of the gradients on offer on this island. There are numerous hiking routes on Tenerife, taking you through landscapes of multicoloured lava fields, lush forests of laurels and pines, and deep canyons. Don't miss the stunning Anaga massif — a wonder to explore in spring with a flora unique in the world. Finally, you're never far from the Atlantic shoreline, which brings cool, fresh air and unbeatable viewpoints.
Spring treks: exploring the Bardenas desert
This lunar landscape of steppe and rock sculpted by erosion in the Bardenas Reales sits between Navarre and Aragon, just south of the French border. You'll find fairy chimneys, flat-topped hills, and ruiniform ravines. This strange, one-of-a-kind European landscape will evoke the American West and amplify your sense of adventure on every hiking trail. The Bardenas are packed with hiking and trekking ideas, whether you're planning a day route, a weekend, or a full week. A great escape right on France's doorstep, in a natural park classified as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. What's more, the region has an excellent range of accommodation and local organisations to guide you.
Spring treks: the Verdon Gorge
The Verdon is undoubtedly Europe's most beautiful canyon! It also offers a wealth of cliff-side trails where beauty and vertigo compete for your attention. Walk the Blanc-Martel trail, the Bastidon, the Racolas viewpoint, the Escalés... there's a huge variety of routes, each with its own charm. The region gets busy in summer, but is far more accessible in spring, with plenty of charming gîtes for accommodation. At the end of your hiking trip, don't miss Lac de Sainte-Croix, with its exceptional colour and crystal-clear water! Some slightly vertiginous sections of these trails require real care and attention.
Spring treks: explore Cathar Country
Still in France, and favouring the south for guaranteed good weather, you can head to a remarkable region with an extensive network of hiking trails: Cathar Country. You can walk the "Citadelles du Vertige" route: Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Puivert and Montségur — a journey from castle to castle, exploring Cathar history through stunning countryside. The region is hugely popular with hikers, offering varied and easily accessible trails. It's also still relatively off the beaten track, so you can enjoy its beauty in peace and quiet.
A spring trek is always a great idea. It's a chance to rediscover the pleasure of long walks and excellent preparation for longer summer trips. It's also the best way to shake off the winter gloom. Either way, don't miss the chance to fill your lungs with fresh air in the heart of a reawakened nature, with long, mild and sunny days — and hit the trails with the right clothing for spring hiking !
