Spring signals the return of high-altitude hiking — but only gradually! The high mountains are still locked in snow and cold, and it is better to head to mid-mountain terrain where there is already plenty to explore. Here are 5 mid-mountain hiking ideas to inspire your spring walking, whether for a day or a few days. Before you set off, don't miss our tips for gear up properly for spring on the hiking trails!
You can also visit charming villages of great beauty and rich history, and sample a gastronomy that already carries the flavour of nearby Spain!
Mid-mountain hiking: Cappadocia for the exotic and the unexpected
At the heart of the Anatolia region, Cappadocia is an exceptional area with an enormous amount to offer from a geological as well as a historical and architectural perspective. This region is a high plateau covered in a layer of volcanic tufa that has been sculpted by erosion into an endless variety of small canyons, peaks, fairy chimneys and other natural formations. The hiking routes in this Turkish region allow you to discover unique landscapes and a captivating local character. Whether it is the white valley, the pigeon valley, or the red and rose valleys, you will be faced with Byzantine wonders and extraordinary scenery. Finally, the Valley of the Fairy Chimneys will transport you into an utterly magical landscape — ideal to explore in spring. Many agencies organise multi-day hikes and treks in this region, which is perfect for mid-mountain hiking.
Mid-mountain hiking: a gentle discovery of Madeira
Madeira offers a unique setting for lovers of mid-mountain hiking. The mild climate, the beauty of the landscapes, the exotic flowers, the gentle pace of the walks, the warmth of the locals, the comfort of the accommodation — nothing beats it for appreciating the island of Madeira, known since antiquity and shaped by human hands over the centuries. You can discover refreshing levadas and sharp picos, criss-cross the island on paths that overlook terraced gardens, pass through dense tree-heather forests, look down over beautiful coves and climb to windswept summits. The island's mild character is a huge part of its charm and makes it a prime spring destination. What's more, the trails of Madeira are rarely crowded, and the genuine local hospitality will make your hiking stay all the more memorable.
Mid-mountain hiking: the Préalpes d'Azur for walking in the sunshine
The territory of the Préalpes d'Azur regional park is crossed by the GR 4 (running from Haute-Provence to the Gorges du Verdon), from Puget-Théniers to Grasse; the GR 510, which runs from the Italian border to Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne through 8 valleys including the Estéron and the Siagne; and the GR 51 (Balcons de la Méditerranée). This offers a wealth of short and long hiking routes in a mountain region that is not too rugged but, above all, enjoys very mild weather from the first weeks of spring. The region also has a great deal to offer along the way, both in terms of historical heritage and natural discoveries.
Mid-mountain hiking: the Alpilles and the Luberon for hiking under the Provence sun
The Luberon, a massif in the Pre-Alps located in Provence, has become an iconic destination thanks to its perched villages, châteaux and historic monuments. Hikers discover stunning landscapes and viewpoints in the Colorado Provençal, the ancient ochre quarries and the Régalon gorges. In the Alpilles massif, a rugged limestone range, you will discover natural treasures and a rich historical heritage: the towns of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Les Baux-de-Provence, the Sainte-Victoire mountain… unique panoramas and breathtaking views over the Provençal mountains and the rolling plains of the Aix countryside. Both massifs offer numerous day hikes and multi-day mid-mountain hiking routes to savour the joys of spring and walking. It is fairly easy to put together itineraries to suit all tastes, and the accommodation infrastructure is very dense, making it easy to find stopping points along your routes.
Mid-mountain hiking: the Catalan Pyrenees for spring walking
Although the eastern Pyrenees include some fairly high summits, it is quite easy to plan routes that stay entirely at mid-altitude. Spring weather there is often glorious without being too scorching, and in the Capcir, Cerdagne and Conflent areas you will find massifs where it is easy to hike at this time of year.
You can also visit charming villages of great beauty and rich history, and sample a gastronomy that already carries the flavour of nearby Spain!
