The Ramble Worldwide walking calendar: where to enjoy a walking holiday throughout the year

One of the great joys of walking is that there's always somewhere in season. While we're busy scraping frost off the car in January, someone else is enjoying lunch in the sunshine on Tenerife. When southern Europe starts to feel a little too enthusiastic in July, the mountains are just getting started.

So, if you've ever found yourself wondering where in the world offers the best walking right now, we've put together a seasonal guide to some of our favourite destinations. 

January & February

Escaping the winter blues

If winter has dragged on since approximately the second week of November, it might be time to head south.

The Canary Islands come into their own at this time of year. While the UK shivers through winter, the Canaries are often basking in sunshine and temperatures around 20°C. Better still, it's cool enough for proper walking. Instead of hiding from the midday sun, you can spend whole days exploring volcanic landscapes, mountain trails and ancient forests.

Madeira is another winter favourite, with dramatic cliff-top paths, famous levadas and enough greenery to remind you what colour the world is supposed to be.

And if you're after a dose of Mediterranean history with your sunshine, Malta delivers mild temperatures, fascinating heritage and rewarding coastal walks.

Of course, not everyone escapes winter in search of sunshine. Some of us prefer to embrace it. January and February are also prime months for winter walking and snowshoeing, when snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and dramatic mountain scenery transform Europe's highlands. Whether you're snowshoeing through the Andorra Pyrenees or the Slovenian Alps, exploring the fairy-tale landscapes around Füssen in Germany, or enjoying winter walks in Switzerland's spectacular Kandersteg Valley, this is the season to experience the mountains at their snow-covered best.

For those looking to swap winter drizzle for truly epic scenery, January and February are also prime months for Patagonia. This is the height of the Southern Hemisphere summer, when conditions are ideal for exploring soaring peaks, vast glaciers and some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth.

March & April

The season of wildflowers and optimism

Spring arrives early across southern Europe, bringing longer days, warmer temperatures and hillsides bursting into colour.

This is one of the very best times to discover Greece. Wildflowers carpet the landscape, villages begin to wake up after winter and temperatures are ideal for walking. You'll get to spend time admiring the scenery, rather wondering whose idea it was to walk uphill in 30-degree heat like you might later on in the year.

Southern Spain is equally appealing. Andalucía's white villages gleam under blue skies, orange trees scent the air and the countryside looks at its very best.

Meanwhile, Portugal offers comfortable walking conditions, beautiful spring scenery and the promise of lunch in the sunshine. 

May & June

The sweet spot

Ask many experienced walkers to choose their favourite time of year and they'll point firmly towards late spring and early summer. The days are long, the countryside is at its most colourful and the temperatures have generally not yet become a topic of conversation.

Italy is particularly spectacular. From Tuscany's rolling hills to Umbria's medieval towns, it's hard to imagine a more enjoyable time to be exploring on foot.

Burgundy is another seasonal star, with picturesque villages, vineyard walks and countryside that seems determined to look its best in every direction.

And if you've always dreamt of seeing Machu Picchu and the Andes, this is also the start of one of the best periods to visit Peru. The dry season is getting underway, bringing clear mountain views, comfortable temperatures and excellent walking conditions in one of South America's most extraordinary destinations.

July & August

Higher, cooler, better

While much of Europe starts searching desperately for shade, walkers know exactly what to do. Head upwards.

This is mountain season. Switzerland's alpine meadows are bursting with wildflowers, Austria's valleys are criss-crossed with superb walking routes and the Dolomites deliver some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in Europe.

Norway is another summer favourite. The temperatures remain pleasantly comfortable while the landscapes somehow manage to exceed expectations, despite every photograph you've ever seen of them.

Further afield, Peru continues to shine during these months, with dry conditions providing excellent opportunities to explore dramatic mountain scenery, ancient heritage and some of the continent's most iconic landscapes.

September & October

For those in the know

Autumn may just be the best walking season of all. The temperatures are comfortable, summer crowds have largely dispersed and the landscapes take on a wonderful golden glow.

Spain is particularly rewarding at this time of year. Whether it's Rioja's vineyards, Andalucía's mountains or Mallorca's coastlines, conditions are often close to perfect.

Portugal continues to shine too, while Canada puts on one of nature's greatest shows as forests turn shades of crimson, gold and amber.

This is also a wonderful time for long, leisurely lunches. Purely for research purposes, of course.

November & December

Winter returns. Thankfully, not everywhere

As the UK's daylight hours disappear at an alarming rate, the good news is that walking season is far from over.

The Canary Islands once again come into their own, offering sunshine, varied landscapes and walking conditions that feel almost suspiciously pleasant compared to back home.

This is also a wonderful time to discover Morocco, where comfortable temperatures make it ideal for exploring vibrant cities, mountain trails and desert scenery without the fierce summer heat.

And while many of us are digging our winter coats out of storage, the Southern Hemisphere is preparing for summer. Patagonia begins to reveal its dramatic mountain landscapes once again, with long daylight hours, accessible trails and scenery that looks as though it has been designed specifically to make your camera work harder.

For something rather different, festive walking holidays offer the chance to swap Christmas shopping and supermarket queues for fresh air, good company and beautiful surroundings.

So, where next?

One of the best things about walking holidays is that the season never really ends. As one destination winds down, another is just coming into its own.

Whether you're chasing winter sunshine, spring blooms, mountain adventures or autumn colours, there's always somewhere waiting to be explored. All you need to do is choose the season you want to travel in!