Lockdown won't last forever, and there will be more springs ahead for hiking and discovering new horizons. If you are planning great escapes or treks in distant mountain ranges and looking for original destination ideas, here are 6 spring hiking ideas along with our tips on how to prepare for them.
Spring hiking: walking in Tenerife, Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have the huge advantage of mild weather all year round and a magnificent spring! Bathed in sunshine with a gentle breeze, they offer resplendent vegetation. And the Canarian landscape is pure dream material — sea and mountains in perfect harmony.
With the Teide volcano rising to 3,718 metres, you get a clear sense of the elevation changes you can expect on this island. There are many spring walks possible in Tenerife, taking you through landscapes of multicoloured lava, lush forests of laurels and pines, and deep canyons. Don't miss the superb Anaga massif — a marvel to explore in spring with a flora found nowhere else in the world. You are never far from the Atlantic shoreline either, which brings fresh, clean air and unique viewpoints. And if the urge to extend your stay takes hold, the other islands of the archipelago are there for you to roam freely!
Spring hiking: the Gorges du Verdon
The Verdon is quite possibly Europe's most beautiful canyon, offering outstanding spring hiking routes before the summer crowds arrive.
Clifftop trails where beauty and vertigo go hand in hand are there to captivate you. You can choose from the White-Martel trail, the Bastidon, the famous Racolas belvedere, or the Escalés. It is possible to build multi-day itineraries by combining routes and pushing the exploration upstream towards Saint-Julien-du-Verdon or Castellane, or downstream towards the stunning Lac de Sainte-Croix. Its exceptional colour and clear water will be a great comfort after a few days on your feet!
Spring hiking: exploring the peaks of Réunion Island
Réunion Island is a landscape clearly shaped by volcanism and carved by tropical rains. This gives it a spectacular setting, ideal for day hiking or multi-day trekking. You can build a route passing through the cirques of Salazie, Mafate, and Cilaos, discovering a contrasting mosaic of landscapes and magnificent summits such as the Piton des Neiges and the Fournaise. Réunion, even if it demands a certain level of fitness, promises extraordinary cultural discoveries and wonderful encounters!
Spring hiking: explore the Drakensberg mountains in South Africa and Lesotho
It is possible to do superb treks in the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa and extend the route all the way to Lesotho, or even the Wild Coast. It is a guaranteed way to find breathtaking scenery and enjoy mostly blue skies. It is also possible to punctuate this great spring hiking adventure with short detours to the Kruger and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi parks to discover exceptional wildlife. These routes must be done with guides for 90% of the journey.
Spring hiking: exploring the Stevenson Trail from the Velay to the Cévennes
Follow in the footsteps of this famous writer and his donkey! You can also hike with a horse or donkey to carry your luggage, or go about it in a more traditional way.
This route will keep you well away from the crowds and take you through fantastic landscapes in remote parts of France. On the agenda: the Velay, the Gévaudan, and the Cévennes national park — a trekking route that is relatively easy yet genuinely transporting. You will discover near-pristine nature, authentic villages, stretches of wild land, and beautiful rolling trails, perfect for a short spring trekking trip of around 10 days.
Spring hiking: discovering the Calanques
It is possible to follow an exceptional route through the Calanques national park, discovering this remarkable natural and maritime heritage. You will encounter spectacular white limestone cliffs towering above the Mediterranean, with famous calanques such as Port-Pin, En-Vau, Morgiou, and Sorgiou. Then, beyond the charming little port of Cassis, you can extend the journey — accumulating up to 5 days of walking in total — towards the northern slopes of the Sainte-Baume massif, with the cave of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine and the Pic de Bertagne.
This hiking trip is sure to be wonderfully sunny and will treat you to the unique scents of a Provençal spring!
Getting back into trekking and long-distance hiking with the right kit
The first long hikes of the year often provide a good opportunity to take stock of your kit and equipment. You may not have laced up your walking shoes for several months, or inspected your rucksack in a long time.
Before heading out on a spring hiking trip, take the opportunity to review your kit and assess its condition. Pay close attention to the condition of your walking shoes, check the integrity of your pack, and go through your hiking clothing. Don't hesitate to pick up a few new items you can easily break in on short treks of just a few days. Finally, if you haven't walked in a while, be mindful of injury risks: protect your feet with anti-blister socks, invest in quality walking shoes, and remember to warm up and stretch before and after each day's stage.
