Winter walking holidays

There’s no need to stop walking in winter – in fact, our winter walking holidays teach you how to embrace it. This is your chance to explore forests, fells, coasts and mountains in some of the world’s most popular parks when they’re devoid of other tourists, and all while ditching the damage caused by big ski resorts. It’s all peace and joy in the Pyrenees, Alps and Atlas Mountains, and catching valleys, frozen lakes and mountains dusted with snow is a revelation. Or head to Scotland where you can explore the Cairngorms National Park with local guides who know exactly where to find the best winter trails – and the finest malt whisky warmers.

You know that feeling when you step out on a frosty morning into the cold, crisp air – wakes you up better than your alarm? That’s winter walking. It’s like a pick-me-up for the soul, inviting you into the great outdoors at a time when many people are in hibernation mode. That means you get popular paths all to yourself – and completely transformed. Think snow on the mountains, villages glittering with Christmas lights, banks of flowering snowdrops and bright red berries, views revealed by leafless trees, and the promise of the Northern Lights overhead. Plus, the cold weather can boost your mood (not least because it’s easier to catch some truly spectacular sunrises and sunsets) – and all you need is plenty of mountain layers and sturdy boots.

Our winter walking holidays base themselves in the peaceful corners of Europe, North Africa and East Asia. There’s a real pleasure in going to popular ski regions in the Spanish Pyrenees and Austrian Alps – and then waving goodbye to the busy pistes and heading to the snowy ridges, canyons and valleys that skiers can’t reach. For even more peace, try the fairy-tale forests of Transylvania, where villages welcome walkers seeking serene winter scenes. Other options include the frost-swept Highlands of Scotland. Morocco’s Atlas Mountains are a great pick too, including trekking up Mount Toubkal. For something completely different, try Japan’s Nakasendo Trail where hot springs and onsen baths are on hand to warm your bones at the end of the day.

Up for a challenge? Swap hikes for height, with our treks into high-mountain landscapes, including North Africa’s highest peak Mount Toubkal. It’s trickier terrain, but we’ll match you up with our specialists who walk these landscapes near-daily, guiding trekkers and often exploring new paths in their free time too. Our mountain treks connect you with remote villages that welcome visitors with cosy inns and mountain restaurants, helping them remain open through the less popular winter season. Snow can obscure signage and turn-offs, so they’ll also help keep you – and the landscape – safe by keeping you on track and keeping the wilderness undisturbed.

Our winter walking holidays often include chances to go snowshoeing. Hikers sink in soft snow; snowshoes lift you above, allowing you to forge your own way and wander through otherwise inaccessible forests and mountain paths. Wearing snowshoes takes a little getting used to and requires more effort, but after half a mile you’ll have the rhythm down and be off exploring snowy paths well off the usual tourist track.