- Ideally suited to guests looking to combine flexible, gentle strolls by day with high-end creature comforts in the evening, Menorca was made for first-time hikers. In the spring, you can enjoy warm days and mild enough waters for cooling off in the sea. Headwater's Walking the Coastal Trails of Menorca week offers a wonderfully varied walking itinerary taking in ancient historic sites, chic ports, beautiful bays and hidden turquoise coves. Hikers are afforded the freedom of exploring the entire island at their own pace while staying at a Spanish finca hotel. From £799 per person.
One of Greece’s island treasures, Naxos has a typically diverse landscape that is perfect for hiking in spring thanks to its photogenic bursts of wildflowers. Located in the Cyclades, the island is home to sandy beaches on the outside and marble mountains, orchards and Eden-esque valleys inland. Exodus offers an eight-day Walking on the Greek Islands holiday which includes walks in Santorini, Paros and Naxos. From £1,019 per person.
Spring is the best time to walk Spain’s famous Camino de Santiago, or Camino Way, when the weather is cool and comfortable, while it’s not too busy and the spring flowers pop up in every colour. The path for Intrepid Travel's 10-day active adventure begins in Bilbao, where the Guggenheim provides ample culture and artistic entertainment. Historical sights are interspersed among the days of walking – a tenth-century castle in Frias and a ninth-century church in O Cebreiro are just a couple of the highlights. After a day of walking, there are plenty of delicious local tapas and pinxtos to satiate and refuel on, and this active trip will leave you with a greater appreciation for the pilgrims of old. From £1,757 per person.
- Springtime in the Czech Republic sees the Bohemian countryside burst into colour and the blossoming of mulberries, cherries and plums, destined for jam making. For an unusual hiking holiday, the Bohemian Paradise region in the north of the country offers an exhilarating mix of extraordinary rock formations, cool pine forests and fairytale châteaux. Walkers can test their shimmying skills up ladders and through narrow rock passageways, enjoying a stay at a grand chateau along the way. On Foot Holidays offers a six-night Bohemian Paradise tour through varied countryside, packing in as much culture as possible en route and seeking out the most welcoming small hotels, farmhouses and village rooms, with an emphasis on hearty food and top-notch beer after a day’s walking. From £485 per person.
Austria is ideal for a spring hiking break, especially for those who appreciate a good view. The scenery surrounding the crystal-clear Austrian lakes offer a glorious mix of lush green forests, tranquil shores and postcard-pretty villages backed by snow-capped peaks. Headwater's eight-night Austrian Lakes Walk holiday is relaxed and undemanding, rarely covering more than ten miles a day and following well-marked routes around Lakes Nussen, Schwarzen and Wolfgang. Each day brings new discoveries, from taking the antique cog railway up to the summit of the Schafberg for unrivalled Alpine views, to exploring the fairytale city of Salzburg with its Baroque palaces, Renaissance gardens and the oldest open-air theatre in Europe. From £979 per person.
Experience the diverse landscapes of New Zealand away from the crowds on the 19km Pouakai Crossing. Beginning in a dense forest filled with ancient trees and native plants, the crossing passes Mt Taranaki and offers the chance to see native wildlife in its natural wetland habitat, including huhu grubs, rare birds, small reptiles and beetles. Another highlight along the way is the Kokowai Stream, where the water is a rusty red colour due to manganese oxide and high concentrations of iron oozing from the earth into the stream. As it is autumn in New Zealand, you can see the deciduous trees turn brilliant colours of yellow, gold and hot orange. Top Guides offers full-day Pouakai Crossing trips from £163 per person. Check in to luxury boutique hotel King and Queen Hotel Suites, located in the heart of New Plymouth's CBD and cultural hub, from £92 per night.
- Spring is the ideal time for hiking in Morocco's Atlas Mountains, when trees and wildflowers are in full bloom and the weather is mild, making it perfect for a walking holiday. Intrepid Travel’s eight-day Mount Toubkal Trek gives travellers the chance to combine the souks of Marrakech with a challenging hike up North Africa’s highest peak. With unparalleled views of the Moroccan landscape, this is one experience you can tick off your bucket list. Along the way, you’ll experience the hospitability of Berber people and learn some Arabic or Berber words from the local villagers. From £356 per person.
Embrace the Scottish countryside by bagging ten munros in one holiday, while witnessing the splendid mountain scenery and getting back to the great outdoors. May is the best month for this spring hike, with longer days and fewer crowds, as well as the chance to witness the flora starting to bloom. HF Holidays offers a seven-night walking holiday which takes in Creag Meagaidh, Beinn Sgulaird and Aonach Mor. From £799 for seven nights.
- The epic scale of the wild Yukon Territory and the State of Alaska are best appreciated on foot – surrounded by soaring mountains, immense glaciers and endless wilderness. In spring, visitors arrive just in time to see the Yukon Territory’s first wildflowers and experience pleasant weather, with the snow generally gone and the wildlife starting to get active. Discover the World offers a small group tour featuring a variety of short walks and full-day hikes in the company of an experienced guide, as well as taking in the scenic highlights and prolific wildlife of this rugged corner of North America. The journey takes in the Kluane National Park, Tombstone Provincial Park, Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. From £2,508 for 14 nights.
May marks the beginning of the Peruvian winter, which is the driest season and the best time of year for trekking and hiking. The dramatic Andes Mountains and the lost Incan city of Machu Picchu provide unforgettable settings for a walking holiday. Wexas Travel's 12-day Mountain Lodges of Peru itinerary includes a seven-day guided hike, which sees travellers set off across the Peruvian Andes from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you will pass snow-capped peaks and vast glacial lakes, while experiencing the unique culture and customs of the local Andean people. The route takes travellers on an alternative journey to the well-worn path of the world-renowned Inca Trail, winding through the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range before heading down through verdant cloud forests and finally arriving at the gates of Machu Picchu. From £4,645 per person.