Amazing choice of winter hikes

14.12.2020.

At winter our hiking possibilities are somehow limited, that’s why I collaborated with more than 15 travel bloggers. Collecting some awesome destinations around the world, I bring you new and exciting ideas to spend your vacation. Whether they bring more Sun, awesome snow fun or even unusual freezing moments at tropical places, check it out. I admire this colourful collection and hope to visit some of these gorgeous places in the future. Thank you, my fellow travellers and bloggers.

Europe

Chamonix, France contributed by Josh and Sarah from Veggie Vagabonds

If you’re looking for hiking trails, Chamonix and this region of the French Alps has more options than you can shake a stick at. You’ll find everything from beginner trails for the afternoon and long day hikes to via ferratas and technical mountain climbs. 

With this being a snowy region, once the winter comes around it changes your options dramatically. Many of the summer hiking trails will no longer be possible for your average person due to difficulties of conditions and potential avalanches. Come winter, it’s time to explore the snowshoeing trails in Chamonix instead!  

Whilst there are many different routes you can take, travelling slightly further up the valley to Vallorcine will give you some of the best options. You can find 1-2 hour loops all the way to full day trekking, going through incredible snowy woodlands, up valley sides and to refuges where you can enjoy some hot mulled wine.

For snowshoeing, having snow is quite a necessity and so the best time of year is from late December to early April. You can find lots of additional information at the local mountain offices and they will be able to advise you on conditions and dangers.

Fira to Oia Clifftop Hike, Santorini contributed by Monique Skidmore from Trip Anthropologist

The Fira to Oia clifftop hike along the caldera cliff of the beautiful island of Santorini must surely be one of the most spectacular hikes in the world. The 3 – 5 hour hike begins along the sea path between the clifftop homes, villas and luxury hotels and the Aegean Sea far below.

The path then follows the spine of this narrow island and passes Skaros Rock and small white churches. In summer this is an extremely crowded route and it is very hot with no amenities along the way.

In winter, however, the wildflowers are in bloom and you will have large sections of the hike to yourself! As you reach the final hill with its tiny church and tinkling bells, the wind can be strong if it is mid-winter. But the view is spectacular down to the village of Oia, out across the eastern beaches of the island, and offshore to the island of Thirassia.

The rough-hewn steps take you into the center of one Oia, one of the most beautiful places in all of Oia.

Fishermen’s Trail, Portugal contributed by Campbell and Alya from Stingy Nomads

The Fishermen’s Trail in the south of Portugal is considered one of the most scenic hiking routes in Europe. It’s a 4-day trek along the stunning Vicentina Coast, 100 km south of Lisbon. The trail follows the rugged Atlantic Coast offering breathtaking scenery; dramatic cliffs, unspoiled sandy beaches, picturesque bays, and secret caves.

The mild climate of the Alentejo region makes it possible to do the trail in winter enjoying nice sunny weather. It’s much quieter in winter than in summer. The Costa Vicentina is a very popular summer holiday destination with thousands of tourists from all over the world coming here for a beach holiday. As a result, the area gets very busy.

Everything from accommodation to bus tickets has to be booked in advance. Hotel prices are higher in the peak season as well. Another drawback of hiking the Fishermen’s Trail in summer is the heat. Temperatures reach 35-40C in the months of July and August which means hikers have to start their day very early to make sure they finish before it gets too hot. 

Calanques National Park, France contributed by Nadine Maffre from Le Long Weekend

The Calanques National Park, near Marseille in southern France, is an area of immense natural beauty. It encompasses both land and sea, it runs between Les Goudes in the west, through to Cassis in the east. Within the park, there are numerous hikes you can undertake, ranging from easy and level, to challenging climbs.

One of the most popular hikes is the Calanques de Cassis which takes in 3 calanques (natural inlets surrounded by steep cliffs). This hike takes around 3 hours if you don’t undertake the steep descent to Calanque d’En Vau, and much longer if you do.

On the western end, the hike from Calanque Callelonge to Calanque de Marseilleveyre is an easy family-friendly walk. And in the middle of the park, the hike to Calanque de Sugiton offers unbeatable views along the way.

Winter is a great time to walk in the park, as while it may be cool, it’s common to have clear blue skies and near-empty tracks to enjoy. This makes it the ideal time to appreciate nature in peace. There is no risk of wildfires in the cooler months either, something that often sees restricted access to the park during the summer months.

La Concha, Spain contributed by Linn Haglund from Andalucia Hiking

Hiking along the coast of Andalucia is way too hot in the summer months, yet it is packed with hiking trails which are perfect during winter. La Concha ridge hike is one of the best ones, boasting spectacular coastal views of Costa del Sol and Marbella. On a hot winter day, you can even hike in shorts and a t-shirt, so don’t forget your sunscreen!

The hike takes a good 7-8 hours including breaks. Starting at Refugio de Juanar in Sierra Blanca, the trail goes through olive groves before entering a dense pine forest. The path steepens for the next hour or so up to the top of the mountain where it opens up to mesmerizing views of the coast. The rest of the hike follows the coastline on top of the mountain.

There are a couple of sketchy parts before you reach the final ridge, but there are ropes to hold on to. At the tip of the ridge, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Marbella before turning back the same way.

Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland contributed by Maria & Ciaran from Maptrekking

Though many go searching for sun during the winter, Edinburgh, Scotland can be a perfect getaway for a cozy and festive trip. Not only does the Gothic and Georgian architecture transport you out of this world, but the charming open-air Christmas market should not be missed.

While visiting Scotland’s capital, one can not miss one of the top attractions, Arthur’s Seat. This extinct volcano is located in Holyrood Park directly in the city center of Edinburgh. Hiking up to this popular viewpoint takes about 30 minutes and provides stunning 360-degree views of the Pentland Hills, the North Sea, Edinburgh Castle, and Holyrood Palace.

Hiking up to Arthur’s seat makes for a perfect hike in the winter since there will be significantly fewer tourists and you are so close to the city that you can go directly to the Christmas market to warm up afterward to have hot mulled wine or a hot toddy. If you are lucky, you might catch Holyrood Park right after a snowfall, which is unusual for Scotland and incredibly beautiful!

Czerwone Wierchy, Poland contributed by Ela & Beata from Stunning Outdoors

When it comes to winter hiking in Polish Tatra mountains, the classic Czerwone Wierchy ridge hike is one of the finest walking experiences. It is however, a hike suitable for seasoned walkers and those who already have some winter hiking experience.

The easiest way to complete the hike is to take a cable car from Kuznice, Zakopane and then walk along the ridge from Kasprowy Wierch to Ciemniak. During your walk you will be able to admire mountains on both Polish and Slovak side.  This is a hike which provides fantastic views all around you and allows you to truly appreciate winter wonderland and, without being too technical.

If you want to enjoy white winter, Tatra mountains offer many more hikes in the valleys and slightly higher up. Zakopane will keep you busy in the long evenings with the small stalls all around old town and with plenty of traditional cottages and inns to visit!

Götzens, Austria contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels

Götzens is a small town in Austria, close to Innsbruck. Götzens is a perfect base for skiing and snow shoe walking, but that’s not all. There are 4 winter walks in Götzens. The mountains surrounding the town and the picturesque villages nearby are what makes it a perfect destination for hiking. In Summer there are green rolling hills and vast vistas, which is perfect. But in winter time it’s even more magical with the snow covered mountains and trees. You’ll be walking in a winter wonderland.

Best things to see on the hikes, besides the vistas and snowy landscapes, are beautiful craftsmanship houses in the towns, stations of the Cross on the way to Axams, colorful churches, deer and nanda’s.

All this makes Götzens a must visit destination in winter time. Come for the fresh, crisp air and the beautiful, snowy landscapes.

Schmittenhöhe mountain, Zell am See, Austria contributed by Gabi Zec from Under Flowery Sky

Schmittenhöhe mountain in Zell am See is the perfect choice for winter because of its easiness despite of 4 hours walking and fabuolous views of the lake covered in snow. Green views of the spring time are indeed the best. Imperatrice Elisabeth ie. Sissi whose chapel is located just near the peak made the hike in 2 hours. Schmitten peak (1965m) can also be reached by cable car and the most advisable way is from Schüttdorf which is near to the shopping area of Zell am See. This is also the starting point of the walking path. The peak itself holds about 15 restaurants which is alone the sufficient reason to visit the peak.

Zell am See is surrounded by three exquisite mountains: Kitzsteinhorn, Maiskogel and Schmittenhöhe. This charming town with the lake in the centre characterises typical austrian painted houses. The nearby town Kaprun with its castle is also very much worth it.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA & CANADA

Artist Point, Washington State contributed by Michelle Stelly from The Wandering Queen

The most beautiful winter hike in Washington State is, of course, Artist Point. This stunning hike is excellent for snowshoeing or backcountry skiing. Many Washingtonians come to this area to experience the astonishing beauty of Mount Baker. There are also fantastic views of Mount Shuksan, Whitehorse Mountain, Three Fingers, Sloan Peak, and White Chuck Mountain.

Artist Point is a 4-mile roundtrip snowshoe with about 1000 feet of elevation gain. It is a popular hike, so you can easily follow tracks to the area. It is an excellent place to snowshoe because of the amount of snow it gets.  This area holds a world record for snowfall within a season, so you definitely need snowshoes to hike here!

The site has some avalanche risk so always check in the night before on the NWAC website to ensure it is safe to access. If the avalanche risk is low, get your snowshoes and warm gear and get ready for some fantastic mountain views. Also, if you are up for it, this area is impressive for a winter backpacking trip. You don’t need a permit, just all your winter backpacking gear. It is one of the best places to backpack in Washington. 

Death Valley, California contributed by Carol Guttery from California Crossings

Death Valley is a great destination for a winter hike. If fact, if you try to hike there in the summer, you’ll know why they call it Death Valley. Summer temps are a furnace blasting 110’F. But, go in the winter and you’ll find comfortable weather in the 70’s. What makes Death Valley so outstanding is the spare desert landscape and cool geology.

Make time to schedule a Golden Canyon trail to Red Cathedral hike into your Death Valley itinerary. This 2.9 mile out-and-back features a narrow desert canyon and amazing views of Badwater Basin and the mountain folds below Zabriskie Point.

An alternative routing is to start and end at Zabriskie Point, which is 5.8 miles. Start at Zabriskie Point at dawn, because the light is worth it. Then go clockwise down Gower Gulch and loop back up to Zabriskie Point via Golden Canyon. Bring plenty of water and take your time, because the views are worth it. 

Devil’s Bridge – Sedona, Arizona contributed by Nicole LaBarge from American SW Obsessed

Visiting Sedona in winter is a great idea as the weather is perfect if not a little cool which makes hiking in the area an enjoyable activity.
The best hike in Sedona is Devil’s Bridge.  This is a wonderful hike in Sedona with beautiful views of the red rocks that are famous in this area.  Devil’s Bridge is also one of the popular hikes in Sedona so quite a few people will be on the trail.
The trail length is only 2 miles if you have a 4×4 but if you don’t you will need to park in the parking lot and then it will be 4.2 miles round trip.  The hike should take between 1-3 hours and is classified as fairly easy – most of it is flat except at the end where you scramble over the rocks to the top of the bridge.
This is a great hike in winter because it doesn’t get too hot during the day as it does in the summer.  There is very little shade on the trail so when the sun is hot you can’t really escape it in the summer.  In the winter it is cool during the day although it does get below freezing at night.  If there is a chance of snow it is usually a light dusting and then it disappears during the day.
There are many beautiful places to stay in Sedona that overlook the beautiful red rocks of this area.

Johnston Canyon Banff contributed by Celine from Travel Banff Canada

It should come as no surprise that Banff National Park has many incredible hikes. Included in this list of hikes is the Johnston Canyonhike which offers a unique experience to visitors who get to walk along elevated platforms to the impressive Lower and Upper Falls. While this hike is extremely popular in the summer, the crowds thin out in the winter, though it’s still best to arrive early in the day for the best experience. Hiking up Johnston Canyon in the winter also offers visitors an opportunity to see the falls in their frozen state. While it may not sound like much, seeing these waterfalls completely frozen in their stunning blue color with ice climbers is well worth the effort. As with many winter hikes, the trail can get icy so spikes are recommended.

After hiking Johnston Canyon, there is no shortage of things to do in Banff in the winter like snowshoeing, skating or skiing. 

SOUTH AMERICA

Pedra da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil contributed by Bruna Venturinelli from I Heart Brazil

The hike to Pedra da Gávia is by far one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, especially in the winter.

For starters, Pedra da Gávea is a massive monolithic mountain (844 m/2,769 ft high) next to the Atlantic. From there, you can get the perfect view of the city, beach, and Tijuca National Park.

You will want to hike to this spot in the winter as the Brazilian summer is scorching, and venturing out in the late morning can mean you will have the hot sun burning above the whole time.

Besides, the Brazilian winter is far from cold anyway, which is one of the many reasons to visit the country during this season.

Last, if you’re feeling adventurous, head over to Pedra Bonita, a mountain nearby where locals and tourists alike hang glide down to the beach ahead. Rio de Janeiro is a fantastic and mind-blowing winter destination!

Colca Canyon Trek, Peru contribute by Ellis Veen from Backpack Adventures

The Colca Canyon trek in Peru is a great hike to do in winter. This beautiful region in Peru combines spectacular landscapes with a rich culture. It is home to several indigenous communities that even go back before the famous Inca civilization that ruled the area around the 15th century. The colca canyon is also home to the Andean condor, other unique flora and fauna as well as one of the deepest canyons in the world. 

Winter in the Colca means it’s the rainy season. You might think this is not a good time to visit, but the Colca Canyon is at its most beautiful then. Because it is a desert climate, the amount of rain is still quite little. Furthermore, the normally barren landscape now turns lush and green. The clouds in the sky are also more than welcome as the sun can be strong out there. 

Although the hike is only 3 days, it is challenging with a steep climb in and out of the canyon. The welcoming villages and beautiful views are totally worth the effort though.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Trephina Gorge- Central Australia, contributed by Natalie & Steve from Curious Campers

Trephina Gorge is part of the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. The ranges are made up of towering escarpments and craggy gorges set amongst the orange sand of a desert landscape. It is one of Australia’s most spectacular hiking regions.

Trephina Gorge is in the East MacDonnell Ranges about one hour from Alice Springs. There are five hikes you can do to explore the gorge and winter is a great time to do them. Central Australia in summer can reach over 45 degrees Celsius (over 110F). Hiking in these conditions is tough at best and dangerous at worst.

In winter, after cold mornings, the days are cool so you can walk all day. The air is clear and the views from the peaks – especially on the Panorama and Ridgetop Walks – go for miles. Best of all, in the cooler weather you won’t be swatting away swarms of flies!

Rocky Mountain, Wanaka, New Zealand, contributed by Jennifer Parkes from Backyard Travel Family

The Rocky Mountain Wanaka hike is one of the best half day hikes in New Zealand.  It has panoramic views over Lake Wanaka and is the most beautiful in winter when the mountains are covered in snow.

The hike can be snowy and icy in winter, so we don’t recommend it then, but snow doesn’t last for too long, so it is perfect on a sunny winters day after a large dumping.  The mountains are absolutely covered and you can get a great view over Mt Aspiring National Park.

The hike itself is a good uphill climb but beyond that, isn’t too difficult.  You can complete it as an around the mountain track, heading cliffside for the best views going up, and into the mountain and bush going down.  This makes it far more interesting and there are some good rocky sections to mix up the terrain.  The whole walk takes about 3 hours return, although there are some shorter sections such as just to Diamond Lake, or to the Lake Wanaka viewpoint that are shorter if you prefer.

Wanaka is an incredible place in winter as there are three ski fields close by with both downhill skiing and cross country skiing.  It has a great restaurant scene and the best hot chocolate shop: Patagonia Chocolates is right in the town centre for a good winter warmup after your adventures.

Hooker Valley Track, New Zealand, contributed by Chris Fry from The Aquarius Traveller

New Zealand has an endless supply of brilliant hikes which can obviously be done in both summer and winter. What makes winter a special time in the south region, is that you have more of a tendency to have snow on the ground. The Hooker Valley Track is located in the Mount Cook National Park and although 10 kilometres return, it’s fairly flat, safe and easy to hike in the snow. As it only take 3 to 4 hours to complete, it can be completed by almost everyone – including the kids.

You can’t go past the ultimate views of snow topped mountains, raging cold streams and ice bergs floating in Hooker Lake. This walk will not only have you overlooking the lake but there is also a path to get you down to the water’s edge. The track is nicely formed and really wide in most areas, there are even boardwalks available on the thick vegetation.

If you feeling energetic then there are plenty of other hikes around in the areas including the Tasman Glacier hike. Not to mention Mount Cook Village which has all your Accommodation needs, Restaurants and the tourist Information centre. Please check in here for the weather before taking any hike, it’s an alpine area and can change very quickly.