Wondering where to hike in Europe in March? Good news: while the high passes of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps wait for summer, the Mediterranean coast is already green, flowering and very much open for hiking.
March is when the early-season trails wake up. Wildflowers are out, the trails are quiet and the light is soft. Your legs will still notice the stone staircases, but the summer heat won’t.
Got a 12-day trip in March or April and no idea where to point your boots? These are the best places to hike in Europe in March and April, from the Cinque Terre in Italy to the coast of Spain and the islands of Croatia, plus one bonus just outside Europe: the Lycian Way in Turkey.
Every one of them is a self-guided hiking tour that fits inside a 12-day trip, and all but one start in March. We book every night and move your bags, so all you pack is your sense of adventure (and a light rain jacket).
TL;DR: Where to Hike in Europe in March and April
The best places to hike in Europe in March and April are on the Mediterranean, where spring arrives first. Our top pick is the Cinque Terre in Italy, where start dates run from March 1st and March is part of the lowest-priced season.
Want Italy in March?
Hike the Cinque Terre from Camogli to Portovenere in 8 days, €1499 per person for March 2027 start dates, or try our new 5-day Cinque Terre tour from €1049.
Want Spain in March?
The Costa Brava, Mountains of Catalonia and Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada tours all start in March, and the Spanish Pyrenees opens for Spanish Easter Week, March 19th to 28th, 2027.
Can you wait until mid-April?
Our Croatia hiking tour island-hops from Split to Dubrovnik, with start dates from April 15th.
Want sunshine just outside Europe?
The Lycian Way in Turkey starts March 1st, with average highs of about 18 to 23°C (65 to 73°F) in March and April.
Want green hills and a cozy pub?
The Wicklow Way in Ireland starts from March 15th.
Which European Hiking Tours Start in March and April? The 8 Trails at a Glance
Every hike below runs in March with Monkeys and Mountains, except Croatia, which starts from April 15th, and all eight run in April. Here’s how they compare, with distances from each tour page.
| Hike | Country | Start dates | Length | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinque Terre | Italy | From March 1st | 5 or 8 days | 39.7 km (24.7 miles) or 55.0 to 64.8 km (34 to 40 miles) | Good first trip |
| Costa Brava | Spain | From March 1st | 8 days | 96.7 km (60 miles) | Good first trip |
| Mountains of Catalonia | Spain | From March | 8 days | 117.5 km (73 miles) | Moderate to Challenging |
| Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada | Spain | From March | 8 days | 82.2 km (51 miles) | Moderate to Challenging |
| Spanish Pyrenees | Spain | Easter Week, March 19th to 28th, 2027 | 8 days | 84.6 km (53 miles) | Moderate to Challenging |
| Croatia: Split to Dubrovnik | Croatia | From April 15th | 9 days | From 50.8 km (32 miles) | Good first trip |
| Lycian Way | Turkey | From March 1st | 8 days | 59.6 to 63.7 km (37 to 40 miles) West, 70.5 km (44 miles) East | Good first trip |
| Wicklow Way | Ireland | From March 15th | 5 or 8 days | 50.2 km (31 miles) or 88.8 km (55 miles) | Good first trip |
1. Hiking the Cinque Terre in March: Italy at Its Lowest Price
The Cinque Terre in March is the Italian Riviera before the summer rush. The rainbow-colored villages are there, the sea views are there, and the steep stone staircases feel a lot friendlier than they do in July.
Our 8-day Cinque Terre hiking tour runs from Camogli to Portovenere. You’ll eat lunch beside a medieval abbey you can only reach on foot or by boat, watch the yachts in Portofino, then hike through all five Cinque Terre villages, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Short on time? Our new 5-day Cinque Terre hiking tour packs the highlights into 4 nights. You hike the Blue Trail from Monterosso to Vernazza on Day 1, climb to the vineyard village of Volastra, and finish from Riomaggiore to Portovenere while your bags ride ahead. That’s 39.7 km (24.7 miles) of the Italian Riviera.
Here’s the bonus: start dates for both tours run from March 1st, and March is part of the lowest-priced season. The 8-day tour is €1499 per person for March 2027 start dates, against €1749 from April to September, and the 5-day tour is €1049, against €1199. Both are based on double accommodation.
Trail status in the Cinque Terre changes with the weather and repair work, so look at the Cinque Terre National Park website for the latest trail status before you go.
Not sure which March hike is for you?
Answer a few quick questions in our free Hike Finder and get the hikes in Europe that match your dates, fitness and style.
2. Costa Brava Hiking in March: Spain’s Wildflower Coast
March and April on the Costa Brava are the quiet, green months. The Empordà is full of wildflowers, the coastal paths are empty, and the sea belongs to the brave.
Our Costa Brava hike runs from Sant Pere Pescador to Sant Feliu de Guíxols, 96.7 km (60 miles) over 6 hiking days, past the Medes Islands, Begur and the coves around Calella de Palafrugell. Your luggage is driven between your hotels in seven seaside towns.
Start dates run from March 1st, and early March is the best value on the whole route: €885 per person for start dates from March 1st to 18th, 2027, based on double accommodation.
3. Mountains of Catalonia in March: Waterfalls, Wildflowers and Montserrat
Spring is when the Mountains of Catalonia show off. You get running water in the Sant Miquel de Fai gorges, wildflowers across the Montseny meadows and forest that has just come into leaf.
Over 6 hiking days you cross the Montseny UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac, then finish with a night at the Montserrat monastery. It’s graded Moderate to Challenging, and it’s as much a cultural trip as a hiking one.
The season runs from March to November, and the tour doesn’t run in July or August, when it’s too hot. That makes spring one of its two sweet spots.
4. Hiking the Alpujarras in March: White Villages Under Snowy Peaks
Want snowy peaks without hiking in snow? In March and April, the Alpujarras are green, quiet and full of wildflowers, with water in every acequia and the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada still white above you.
You stay in three villages instead of eight: Trevélez, one of the highest villages in Spain at 1476 m (4842 ft), tiny Mecina Fondales, and Capileira above the Poqueira gorge. Unpack three times, hike 82.2 km (51 miles) over 6 days, and let your bags do the commuting.
Spanish Easter Week, March 19th to 28th, 2027, is a wonderful time to be in an Andalusian village for the processions. The mountain air is crisper then and spring showers are likely, so pack layers.
5. Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees in March: Easter Week in the Mountains
Mountain lovers, this one’s for you. Our Spanish Pyrenees hiking tour is in the warmest part of the Pyrenean chain, which is why its season opens for Spanish Easter Week, March 19th to 28th, 2027, while the high central Pyrenees are still under snow.
You hike 84.6 km (53 miles) from Camprodon through Molló, Setcases and the Vall de Núria, sleeping in 2 to 4-star hotels every night. Easter Week is the only March window on this tour, so if your dates are flexible, May brings wildflowers to the alpine meadows.
6. Hiking in Croatia From Mid-April: Split to Dubrovnik by Island
Can your trip slide into the second half of April? Then Croatia’s Dalmatian islands are calling. The ferries between the islands start running during April, so our Croatia hiking tour opens for start dates from April 15th.
Over 9 days you hike from Split across four islands, Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Mljet, and finish in Dubrovnik. Ferries do the island-hopping, your luggage goes ahead to the next hotel, and you choose your route on 4 of the 7 hiking days.
It’s graded a Good first trip, and it’s €1940 per person for April 2027 start dates, in 3-star hotels based on double accommodation. Spring is one of the best times to go, before the Dalmatian sun turns up the heat.
7. Hiking the Lycian Way in March: Turkey’s Turquoise Coast
Okay, Turkey’s Lycian coast isn’t technically in Europe, but the Lycian Way is far too good to leave off a March list. It hugs Turkey’s Mediterranean coast past Lycian rock tombs, ancient cities and coves so turquoise they look edited.
March is the start of the spring hiking season on the Lycian Way. Average highs are about 18 to 23°C (65 to 73°F) in March and April, from 1991 to 2020 records for Fethiye and Antalya, so the long climbs feel comfortable instead of sweaty.
On the West Lycian Way, which our founder Laurel has hiked, you go from the ghost town of Kayaköy past Butterfly Valley to the ancient city of Patara.
The East Lycian Way takes you past the eternal flames of the Chimera and the Gelidonya lighthouse, finishing with a boat to Kekova.
Both run from March 1st to May 30th in spring. Your airport transfers are included and your bags are waiting at each night’s accommodation, so you hike with water, a picnic lunch and a swimsuit.
8. The Wicklow Way in March: Ireland’s Green Hills From Dublin
If you like your hiking with mossy forests, misty lakes and a pub at the end of the day, the Wicklow Way starts its season on March 15th.
You hike from Marlay Park in Dublin to the viewpoint over Lough Tay and on to the ancient monastic site of Glendalough.
Choose the 5-day tour for a taste of the trail or the 8-day tour for 88.8 km (55 miles) of it. Both are graded a Good first trip. Some sections can be wet underfoot, so bring weather-proofed hiking boots.
Where to Hike in Europe in April: Every Trail Above, Plus Croatia
Where to hike in Europe in April? Anywhere on this list. By April every hike above is open, and Croatia’s island-hopping tour joins them from April 15th.
The best hiking in Europe in April depends on what you’re after. Pick the Cinque Terre if you want Italy’s famous villages, the Spanish Pyrenees if you want real mountains once Easter Week has passed, and Croatia if a swim at the end of the hiking day sounds like your idea of a reward.
April is also the middle of the spring season on the Lycian Way, which runs to May 30th. Hiking in Europe in spring only gets better from here, until the Alps open in June.
What Is the Weather Like for Hiking in Europe in March?
The weather for hiking in Europe in March changes a lot between the Mediterranean coast, the mountains and Ireland, and a single average would only mislead you. Check the official national forecast for your trail a week or so before you go:
- Spain (Costa Brava, Mountains of Catalonia, Alpujarras, Spanish Pyrenees): AEMET, the Spanish State Meteorological Agency
- Italy (Cinque Terre): the Italian Air Force Meteorological Service
- Ireland (Wicklow Way): Met Éireann
- Croatia (Split to Dubrovnik, from April 15th): the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service
- Turkey (Lycian Way): the Turkish State Meteorological Service
The one March figure we can give you is for the Lycian Way: average highs of about 18 to 23°C (65 to 73°F) in March and April, from 1991 to 2020 records for Fethiye and Antalya.
What to Pack for Hiking in Europe in March
March is spring, but it’s early spring. Mornings can be cool and showers are part of the deal, especially in the mountains and in Ireland.
- Layers you can add and peel off as the day warms up
- A waterproof jacket that packs small
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip for wet stone and mud
- A swimsuit for the Lycian Way, in case you’re feeling brave
Starting your season in March also means less time to train. Our free 6-week hiking training plan gets your legs ready for those Cinque Terre staircases and Lycian climbs.
Where to Hike in Europe in March: Your Questions Answered
Where is the best place to hike in Europe in March?
The best place to hike in Europe in March is the Mediterranean coast, where spring arrives first. Our top pick is the Cinque Terre in Italy, on our 8-day or new 5-day tour from March 1st, followed by the Costa Brava in Spain. Just outside Europe, the Lycian Way in Turkey starts March 1st too.
Which European hiking tours start in March?
The European hiking tours that start in March with Monkeys and Mountains are the Cinque Terre (5 or 8 days), Costa Brava, Mountains of Catalonia, Alpujarras, Spanish Pyrenees (Easter Week only) and Wicklow Way (from March 15th) tours. Just outside Europe, our Lycian Way tours start March 1st, and our Croatia hiking tour follows from April 15th.
Can you fit a hiking tour in Europe into a 12-day trip in March?
Yes, a hiking tour in Europe fits easily into a 12-day trip in March. Every Monkeys and Mountains tour that starts in March is 8 days or less, so you have time for flights and a few extra days.
Are hiking tours in Europe cheaper in March?
Hiking tours in Europe are cheaper in March on several of our tours. Our 8-day Cinque Terre tour is €1499 for March 2027 starts, against €1749 from April, our 5-day Cinque Terre tour is €1049, against €1199, and our Costa Brava tour is €885 from March 1st to 18th, 2027 (per person, double room).
Can you hike in the Alps in March?
A multi-day hike in the Alps in March isn’t really on, because the high passes wait for the snow to clear. Our Dolomites tours start in June, like Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi from June 5th. In March, head south to the Cinque Terre.
Is Spanish Easter Week a good time to hike in Spain?
Spanish Easter Week is a good time to hike in Spain if you’d love the village processions. In 2027 it’s March 19th to 28th, and it carries a high season supplement on our Costa Brava, Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada, Mountains of Catalonia and Spanish Pyrenees tours.
Where to go in Europe in March for hiking?
Where to go in Europe in March, if you hike, is south. The Cinque Terre in Italy and the Costa Brava, Mountains of Catalonia and Alpujarras in Spain are green, flowering and quiet in March, while the high passes of the Alps are still under snow. All four start in March with Monkeys and Mountains.
Can you hike in Croatia in March?
Our self-guided Croatia hiking tour starts from April 15th rather than in March, because it hops between islands and the ferries start running during April. It takes 9 days from Split to Dubrovnik via Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Mljet, and it is graded a Good first trip.
What is the best hiking in Europe in April?
The best hiking in Europe in April is on the Mediterranean, where every one of our spring tours is open. Our picks are the Cinque Terre for Italy, the Spanish Pyrenees for mountains and, from April 15th, our Croatia hiking tour from Split to Dubrovnik for island-hopping.
Is spring a good time for hiking in Europe?
Yes, spring is a great time for hiking in Europe, as long as you head south. From March to May the Mediterranean trails in Italy, Spain, Croatia and Turkey are green and quieter than in summer, while the high Alps wait for the snow to clear. Our Dolomites tours start in June.
Still Deciding Where to Hike in March or April?
Pesto and staircases in the Cinque Terre, wildflowers in Spain, island-hopping in Croatia or turquoise coves on the Lycian Way: March is the month to get a head start on your hiking year. And you get the whole season still ahead of you.
Prefer golden leaves to wildflowers? Read our guide to where to hike in Europe in October, or browse our 34 best hikes in Europe.