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At first mention, the prospect of a winter walking holiday may sound more chilly than enticing, but rosy-cheeked treks with frost underfoot and temperate hikes in destinations further south offer hugely enjoyable ways to explore Europe’s Great Outdoors from November to February. Forget weather worries, lace up your hiking boots and delve into frozen national parks from Finland to the Scottish Highlands to enjoy the haunting splendour of winter landscapes free from summer crowds. Alternatively, if you’d rather escape the chill and forgo the need for snowshoes, jet to the sunnier shores of year-round mild islands in Europe’s southern reaches that won’t resemble winter at all.

Whether blowing off the cobwebs from too much festive fun, committing to a New Year’s resolution to get your steps in, or shaking off the January blues, here are some of Europe’s best hiking holidays to inspire you. Read more: Why the Canary Islands should be your next holiday destination for winter sun The Camino de Santiago is a network of 9th-century pilgrimage routes through France , Spain and Portugal that culminate at the tomb of St. James the Great, an apostle of Jesus, in Santiago de Compostela, northwest Spain .



There are seven main camino ways well marked with scallop shells and yellow arrows, with the 500-mile Camino Francés and routes of northern Spain – the most popular paths – protected Unesco World Heritage paths. Europe’s favourite pilgrimage attracts over 200,000 walker.

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