As the cold returns and the darker nights draw in, there’s no better time to plan your escape for some winter sun. For those of us who’d rather make the most of a winter sunshine destinations on foot, winter is a fantastic time to explore somewhere new, with comfortable temperatures for walking and the summer crowds long gone.

From volcanic landscapes and rugged coastlines to ancient trails, mountain valleys and remote islands, these escapes prove that adventure doesn’t have to wait for summer to roll around again. So, if you’re looking for a winter break with a little more adventure, here are some of our favourite trips for finding winter sun and exploring on foot.

This is a one-week unique camel supported Saharan trekking experience. By night you can camp out and star gaze amongst the magnificent dunes and by day follow our guide through one of the most unique landscapes on earth. Walk through wild wadis and hike over spectacular desert sands on this supported trek. There is also time to explore exotic Marrakech and the colourful Djemaa-el-Fna.

Why? You get to experience two sides of Morocco, exploring Marrakech and trekking through the Sahara Desert.

This is an idyllic island walking holiday exploring Madeira’s glorious mountain trails. Each day's walk will feel like a completely new adventure from the last; one day you'll be walking through laurel forests alongside levadas, another tracing paths along dramatic coastal cliffs and the next climbing high into the island's central mountain range.

This adventure strikes the perfect balance between Madeira's famous trails and its quieter, lesser-known corners. On these days, you'll experience a more authentic side of Madeira and are likely to have the trail almost entirely to yourselves. Of course, the holiday also includes the summit of Pico Ruivo, Madeira's highest peak, making sure you tick off one of the island's must-do experiences too. And it's all packed into just one week.

Why? It won't take you long to realise there's truly no better way to experience Madeira than on foot, with its famously mild climate, dramatic scenery and network of well-maintained trails.

Just a short journey inland from the crowds of Benidorm, there is a very different side of the Costa Blanca with rugged limestone peaks of the sierras and traditional, white-painted villages that reveal a much quieter, authentic Spain that remains overlooked. On this holiday, you'll walk the best routes in the Marina Baixa and Martina Alta regions, including the airy ridges and summits of Aitana (1,558m) and Puig Campana (1,408m), where expansive views replace the bustle of the coast. It’s this proximity to a well-known destination paired with such a starkly different experience that makes this region stand out.

Why? Enjoy walking in a region of Spain that enjoys more than 300 days of sun!

Lanzarote is a lesser-known walkers’ heaven and, while many come to the island simply to relax, our self-guided Walking on Lanzarote adventure showcases why it’s worth putting in that extra bit of effort to discover its hidden corners and explore it on foot. You’ll reach the island’s highest point, Peñas del Chache, and enjoy some fantastic walking, without compromising on a slower, more relaxed pace throughout the week. There’s still plenty of time for golden beaches, turquoise-water swims and soaking up the winter sun, making this the perfect blend of exploration and relaxation – and a refreshing alternative to the typical winter escape.

Why? Known as the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’, Lanzarote combines year-round sunshine with otherworldly volcanic landscapes, from dramatic lava fields to hidden coves, best discovered on foot.

The Cape Verde archipelago is a walker’s paradise, where rugged coastlines, volcanic peaks and mountain valleys unfold across four very different islands - Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente and Santo Antão. Island-hop from the lively capital of Praia on Santiago to Fogo, where you’ll hike the dramatic, ashy slopes of Pico do Fogo, the highest point in Cape Verde at 2,829m. Then discover the lush, sub-tropical mountains of Sao Vicente and the spectacular walking trails of Santo Antao. From the welcoming smiles of locals to relaxed evenings enjoying excellent food, adding in the reassurance of most breakfasts, lunches and dinners included, this is a winter escape that feels a world away from everyday life.

Why? Cape Verde is home to the wonderfully fitting slogan ‘No stress’, and it’s a philosophy you’ll quickly understand as you settle into the islands’ peaceful pace of life.