Best walking holidays in February 2027

February is a funny one really. Winter is still hovering, new year’s resolutions are waning and some of us are still keeping the windows out onto the world tightly closed. In many parts of the world, however, schools take a good long mid-term break in February, one that always takes parents by surprise, as it comes up so quickly after Christmas. But they’re so right to do so, because we all need to shake off those winter blues, metaphorically defrost the pipes and let the joy of adventure start to flow again. So, if you would like February to dazzle rather than frazzle you, here are some of the best walking holidays in February.

places to travel in february — Cabo de São Vicente, Portugal, a grand finale on the Rota Vicentina hiking trails.

Best hiking in February’s snowy landscapes

Snowshoeing in Chamonix Valley, France

Imagine five days of freezing French forays, based in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in the heart of Chamonix Valley to blow the winter cobwebs off? The region’s terrific snowshoeing routes include Vallorcine Valley, the summit of Mont d’Arbois (1,833m), Plateau du Truc and a balcony trail facing Mont Blanc. With some cable car and bus transfers to start you on your way, while making sure February is a month to get out and play. We also have a privately-guided version of the same snowshoeing holiday if you’re a first-timer, or welcome some reassuring navigation through the winter landscapes.

Finland’s Wild Taiga

February is a freezing and fun time in Finland when we offer a choice of two winter walking holidays, which also have a plethora of other activities added into the mix. One takes you snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or dog sledding on our winter activities holiday. This is based in Kuhmo, in the east of Finland, which is gateway to Finland’s Wild Taiga region and looks wild and very white at this time of year. Or you can have a deeper immersion into the Wild Taiga on our Winter wildlife adventure, where you stay in luxury cabins in a Bear Centre and take part in guided walking tours to go tracking and observing wolverines, elk and much more. Temperatures get real here though, averaging between -5C and -10C from January to March, with lows as cold as -24C, which is why the sauna has become such an important part of Finnish culture. For more Finnish stories, read our co-founder, Peter Duncan’s stories about his winter Finnish adventure holiday here.

Finland is out of this world in February.

Hokkaido in the snow

Indulge in some captivating Japanese literature before setting off to explore the country’s striking seasonal landscapes firsthand. As Japan’s northernmost and second-largest island, Hokkaido transforms into an exceptional winter walking destination during these months. Running from January to March, this cultural adventure provides deep insights into the unique heritage of the indigenous Ainu people and the pristine environments of Shiretoko and Akan-Mashu National Parks, complete with guided snowshoeing treks. Afterwards, you can unwind in steaming outdoor onsens, soaking in the spectacular surroundings in complete comfort.

Winter walking in the Dolomites

Swap February doldrums for the Dolomites. While skiers hit the Alpine pistes en masse at half term, escape the crowds and walk through the snow-covered hills and valleys of Sesto and Braies and along the Plätzwiese plateau, at an elevation of 2,000m, in the shadow of the great Three Peaks. Don winter walking boots, grab your poles and explore the safe, well-established routes on this Dolomites winter walking itinerary which, although it is self-guided, is suitable for people who might not have winter walking experience.

Snowshoeing in the Dolomites in February blows those winter cobwebs off.

Trekking up Mount Toubkal, Morocco in winter

Morocco’s highest mountain used to always be snow-covered in winter, but with climate change, that’s less predictable. However, this means it’s more accessible for trekking in February, albeit with expert mountain guides, and excellent preparation for a strenuous walk. Generally, it’s a zig-zag trek that takes two days, but the guides may take a more direct route to avoid snow in February if necessary.

Day two of the ascent takes place before dawn, after a night at a mountain refuge where the snowline begins, so who knows what you will wake up to? Even though it’s not a technical climb, we do recommend that you have winter trekking experience, as crampons, ice picks and ropes are necessary, provided locally and training is given on the spot. If there is snow, it will only add to the dramatic ascent through this otherwise hot country, with white peaks on one side and desert on the other. For more details, see our blog, Climbing Toubkal, Morocco’s highest mountain.

Guided walking holidays in February

In addition to the aforementioned Mount Toubkal and snowshoeing in Chamonix, both of which are privately-guided, we also have some small group guided walking holidays in February. There are two winter walking ones: snowshoeing in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Dinaric Alps where BiH is bliss in winter, and walking in snowy Slovakia’s Tatras Mountains, staying in either Stará Lesná or Tatranská Lomnica in a three-star hotel.

For something completely different, and for some serious hiking in February, spend the autumn and winter training for the highest trekking peak in the world. Aconcagua, at (6,960m) is also considered one of the planet’s most spectacular treks, which you take on with a team of mountain experts on a small group expedition. For more thoughts on trekking together, see our blog, Thinking big with our small group walking holidays.

Where’s hot in February for a walking holiday?

Madeira

Even though you might not associate the middle of the Atlantic with being warm and soothing, Madeira is like a balmy blip emerging from the waves. And the best bit is that this is the case all year around, even in February. Which is why we run walking holidays there throughout the year. It’s luscious without a rainy season, it’s warm without a scorching season, with average temperatures all year of around 20C on lower elevations around the coast. Sea temperatures never dip below the high teens and, one of the added advantages of walking in Madeira in February is that it is also the Madeira Carnival. It runs over an incredible three weeks with masked and costume parades, dancing and drinking.

Rota Vicentina, Portugal

A 400km colossal web of natural trails that have been crafted over the centuries by Portugal’s rural residents, the Rota Vicentina comes in two equally perfect packages. The Caminho Histórico or the Historical Way and the Trilho dos Pescadores or the Fishermen’s Trail. Both link Santiago do Cacém in the Alentejo region with the dramatic headland of Cabo de São Vicente on the southern Algarve coast. The Historical Way heads inland through ancient cork forests, sleepy villages and meadows, and the Fishermen’s Trail clings to cliffs, seduces you with sandy coves and beckons hikers on from one headland to the next. Average February temperatures of 15C also beckon big time.

Menalon Trail, Greece

Greece does tend to feel like a summer destination, but there are a few pockets that open up in winter, and hiking along the Peloponnese Peninsula’s inland Menalon Trail is one of them. With daytime temperatures averaging 15C during February, swap wellies for walking boots and spend a week hiking along this 75km long-distance walking trail, that follows the Western Menalon Massif into landscapes bedecked with walnut and olive groves, woodlands and scrublands of the Lousios Valley and Mylaon Valley.