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Unique winding trails in the mountains of Madeira

Winter Sun Hiking

Winter Sun Hiking Tours

Not every hiking season ends when the leaves fall. Macs Adventure's winter sun collection covers routes that stay warm and walkable through the colder months. Spain’s Canary Islands and Portugal’s Madeira lead the way, with New Zealand not far behind.

Walk volcanic ridgelines on Tenerife and La Gomera, or follow Madeira's levada irrigation channels through laurel forest and terraced hillsides. Both island groups sit far enough south, and are shaped by ocean currents, to keep winter temperatures mild. Closer to mainland Europe, Malta offers coastal cliff paths and quiet countryside trails under mild Mediterranean skies. And if you’d rather swap winter for summer entirely, New Zealand’s hiking season is in full swing from December to February.

With 20+ years planning year-round self-guided routes, Macs Adventure is a leader in self-guided travel.

  • A place these routes go

    Madeira

  • A place these routes go

    New Zealand

  • A place these routes go

    Malta

  • A place these routes go
  • A place these routes go
Nichole McGrew

When it’s gray and cold back home, Madeira and the Canary Islands are hitting their stride. Temperatures stay mild, the trails are quieter, and the landscapes are surprisingly varied. Our travelers are always surprised by how green and varied these islands are in the middle of winter. It’s the perfect way to stay active through the colder months.

Created by

Nichole McGrew, Product Marketing Manager

8 hand-picked routes

  • Portugal

    Madeira: The Flower Island

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate
    from$3,050CAD pp
    View Route
  • Spain

    Walking in La Gomera

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate - Challenging
    from$2,440CAD pp
    View Route
  • Malta & Gozo

    Walking on Malta & Gozo

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Easy - Moderate
    from$1,775CAD pp
    View Route
  • New Zealand

    The Best of New Zealand

    • Walking
    • 26 days
    • Moderate
    from$9,175CAD pp
    View Route
  • New Zealand

    New Zealand: South Island Adventure

    • Walking
    • 19 days
    • Moderate
    from$7,570CAD pp
    View Route
  • New Zealand

    Highlights of New Zealand

    • Walking
    • 14 days
    • Moderate
    from$7,075CAD pp
    View Route
  • New Zealand

    Abel Tasman Track

    • Walking
    • 4–5 days
    • Easy - Moderate
    from$2,735CAD pp
    View Route
  • Spain

    Island Hopping: Tenerife & La Gomera

    • Walking
    • 8 days
    • Moderate - Challenging
    from$4,185CAD pp
    View Route

Real photos, real stories, straight from the trail

Over 26,000 travelers strong, our community shares #MacsMoments, swaps tips and advice, and helps each other plan the perfect trip. Many connect long before they set off - and some even meet up on the trail!

  • Pilgrim standing in front of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela after completing the Portugués Way

    I'm headed back to the states and have a mixture of emotions. So much to process. I feel like a different person!

    October 2026

    Camino de Santiago, Spain

  • A smiling hiker beside a West Highland Way marker post below a mountain

    Thank you Macs for the brilliant adventure! We loved all the accommodations provided

    June 2026

    West Highland Way, Scotland

  • A hiker standing in a pasture amongst horses

    October 2026

    Hadrian's Wall Path, England

  • A hiker beside a wooden signpost by an ivy-covered wall

    June 2026

    Cotswolds to the Cornwall Coast, England

  • A hiker stops on the trail for an interaction with a local cow

    August 2026

    Via Alpina, Switzerland

  • A group selfie in front of a river on a blue sky day

    In fact, if you're looking for sensory magic, give this trip a try

    October 2026

    Walking the Dordogne in Style, France

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Get to know Winter Sun Hiking Tours

Why these routes work when the rest of Europe is packing away its boots.

  • Which destinations offer winter sun hiking?

    The Canary Islands (Tenerife and La Gomera), Madeira and Malta are our core winter sun hiking routes, with mild winter climates. New Zealand's summer hiking season runs December to February.

  • When should I book a winter sun hiking trip?

    November to March is peak season for these routes, when mainland Europe turns cold. Book 3-6 months ahead for winter dates.

  • What is a levada walk?

    Madeira's levadas are centuries-old irrigation channels with maintained paths alongside them, offering gentle, well-graded walking through forest and terraced farmland.

  • How difficult is winter sun hiking?

    Generally Easy-Moderate to Challenging. Volcanic terrain on the Canary Islands can be rockier underfoot than Madeira's levada paths.

  • What's the weather really like in winter?

    Daytime temperatures typically run 65-70F on the Canary Islands and Madeira through winter, with the Atlantic keeping conditions mild rather than hot.

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