Hike Mount Teide to see (all) the stars
Spend the night 3,270m up a volcano off the coast of Africa to really appreciate the night sky
Extreme rating 3/10 | Escape time 4hrs 30mins flight, 1hr 30mins drive | webtenerife.co.uk
Spain’s highest point is actually a volcano in the Atlantic off the coast of Morocco! Mount Teide, on the island of Tenerife, is a still active volcano a surprising 3,718-metres above the ocean.
Its peak is often snow covered in the winter, when morning temperatures are regularly below zero. Snow aside, the path is well within the capacity of any experienced hillwalker, and in normal conditions, there is no need for any scrambling.
To make it a truly unforgettable mountain experience, stay in the high altitude Altaviste Refuge. At a height of 3,270 metres, just 500m from the summit, this fantastic refuge is a world class location to observe the dramatic night sky, far away from any light pollution. It’s only about £18 a night, including the peak permit you need.
Price: Flights from £100, Altaviste Refuge £18 (one night only).
Mountain bike Sardinia, Italy
Explore this vast island in the med
Extreme rating 6/10 | Escape time 3 hrs flight, 2 hrs drive | peteranne.it
Whether you’re in search of cross-country trails, technical single-track or family mountain bike rides, Sardinia is an amazing destination for a warm winter escape on two wheels.
The island of Sardinia is bigger than Wales, and boasts higher mountains, with a huge diversity of routes and terrain to choose from, and in winter the trails hold up well. Take a coastal ride and you can cool off in the sea!
Local company Sardinian Cycling has three Cycle Centres on the island based at three hotels open all year, at Cagliari, Alghero and Costa Smeralda. These centres rent road and mountain bikes, as well as GPS units loaded with routes for self-guided tours. If you book a holiday with them there are guided daily rides and multi-hotel holidays on offer too.
Price: Self-guided North Sardinia circle tour, 8 nights half board accommodation, GPS, helmet but no transfers or flights: from £607.
Climb Mount Toubkal, Morocco
Climb the roof of Africa in the High Atlas
Extreme rating 7/10 | Escape time 3hrs 40mins flight, 1hr 30mins drive | atlastrekshop.com
Mount Toubkal is probably the most adventurous cultural experience you can have in a weekend from the UK. But Toubkal itself in winter is not to be underestimated as it’s a real challenge, with knowing how to use an ice-axe and crampons essential.
North Africa’s highest peak, at 4,167m, Mount Toubkal is less than a couple of hours’ drive from downtown Marrakesh, yet a world apart from anything you’ll find in Europe. Your trek will start in the Berber village of Imlil, ascending through an ancient walnut forest, before breaking out into the bright blue African sky, and crossing an often dry river bed. A mule track then leads for many hours to a basic refuge, from where you’ll start your summit ascent in the dark at around 2am.
If Toubkal itself is beyond you there is an amazing variety of winter walking of all standards in the Atlas mountains.
Price: Group of 4 is £110pp including guide, food and on mountain accommodation.
Ice climb in Chamonix
Learn to scale frozen waterfalls by the tip of your crampons and ice axe
Extreme rating 9/10 | Travel time 1hr 35mins to Geneva plus 1hr bus transfer | chamonix-guides.com
Ever wanted to learn how to climb a frozen waterfall, with ice axes and crampons, but never known quite where to start? Well, look no further than Chamonix Guides and their two-day introduction course to Ice Climbing in the spectacular French town of Chamonix – the ‘mountaineering capital of the world’!
Your first day will be spent learning the basics of gear placement (how to fix ice screws and pitons to stop you falling off!), ice assessment and rescue techniques, with your second day spent actually climbing some of Chamonix’s stunning waterfalls.
Those in the know, and with previous ice-climbing experience, often take the two hour drive from Chamonix, to the tiny alpine village of Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. Kandersteg is renowned for its range of easily accessed, solid and stable frozen waterfalls, which are perfect for practicing the necessary skills.
Price: £310 pp/pd instruction and equipment rental only.
Hike under Iceland’s northern lights
Discover one of the world’s most dramatic and spectacular landscapes
Extreme rating 6/10 | Travel time 3hr 10mins (WowAir), plus 30min bus transfer to downtown Reykjavik | extremeiceland.is
With a strong pound, and the success of Wow Air, Iceland’s very own budget airline, now is most definitely the time to visit the north Atlantic island treasure that is Iceland. Don’t even think about putting it off till the summer, and here’s why: the chance to join a wonderful four-day hike through Iceland’s world renowned Golden Circle area, with a very high chance of hiking under the ever-changing colours of the whisping Aurora Borealis skies during the long, long nights.
You’ll hike by active volcanoes, cross glaciers and streams, taking in huge waterfalls, spurting geysers and wild Atlantic sea views as you explore. With the aid of go-anywhere 4x4 Jeeps, your hiking boots and an expert guide, you’ll experience some of the true highlights of this land of ice and fire – and almost certainly succumb to the temptation of a pickled herring or two.
Price: £600 excluding flights.
Sea kayak Kefalonia
Treat your senses to some water and light therapy around this idyllic Greek island
Extreme rating 4/10 | Travel time Winter flights via Athens 5hrs 50mins | seakayakingkefalonia-greece.com
A little paddle in the warming Mediterranean sunshine is always welcome, but in the middle of a wet, windy and dark British winter, it could be just the pick-me-up you need!
Sea kayaking is a wonderful way to explore an island’s coastline, with the added benefit of working out your core and arm muscles! Kefalonia makes the ideal late winter spot to do this, with its abundance of glorious day trip options, and the fact that its location in western Greece means it’s generally calmer than some of the more southern Greek islands.
You can paddle beneath white limestone cliffs, exploring hidden caves and coves, and slide through magnificent sea sculpted arches, on almost transparent turquoise waters. You might even be lucky enough to see turtles and dolphins….
Price: £85 – 2 days guiding and boat hire.
Bag a Scottish Munro
Enjoy the wonderful landscapes on your own doorstep
Extreme rating 4/10 | Travel time Tyndrum is 1.5 hrs drive from Glasgow | stevenfallon.co.uk
People spend a whole lifetime ticking off Munros – the Scottish mountains over 3000 feet high – well, there are 277 of them after all!
Regardless of whether it’s your first, or your 277th, the British winter is simply the perfect time to bag a Munro. No crowds to share the views with or spoil the experience, crisp Scottish winter air to rinse your lungs and the possibility of a blanket of crunchy pristine snow underfoot, are just a few of the many and various reasons to head north of the border this winter. A warming whisky by a roaring log fire to help digest the salmon you’ve just eaten, are two more…
Mountain guide Steven Fallon runs a programme of winter weekend hikes in Scotland with Ben Lui, and its neighbouring Munros, some of our favorites on his bagging list.
Price: £95 guiding only
Learn to surf in Fuerteventura
Leave your winter wetsuits behind and catch some waves with a family lesson in the Canaries
Extreme rating 4/10 | Travel time Flight 4hrs 20 mins, drive 45 mins | starsurfcamps.com
What could be nicer to wash away the winter doldrums than a little “Surfs up dudes” family surf weekend?
Fuerteventura, formed from a volcanic eruption 20 million years ago off the coast of North West Africa, has a wonderful winter climate, with an average January temperature of over 20°C and catches all the Atlantic swell, making it a top winter surf spot. That said, with surf beaches easily accessible on three of its sides, there’s always a sheltered break for beginners chasing their first waves.
Star Surf runs a year round surf school, where two 90 minute family lessons cost from as little as £165.
Price: A four-day self-catering break, including 2 3hr surf lessons, is £145 per person, and kids under 6 are free. Flights are not included.
Ride the Cape Town Cycle Tour (AKA Cape Argus) South Africa
Ride around the tip of Africa
Extreme rating 5/10 | Travel time 11hrs 30 min flight from London | capetowncycletour.com
If you’re going to do one cycling challenge this winter, why not make it the largest timed cycling event in the world? The Argus is not only the biggest, but possibly the most stunning too.
With the iconic backdrop of table mountain, you, and a mere 35,000 other riders, will ride a 109km course of sharp climbs and fast sweeping descents around Cape Town’s peninsula.
Starting in downtown Cape Town you head out to False Bay, before returning along the more exposed cliff tops on the Atlantic coast.
If you can’t get a place at this popular event, it’s well worth visiting any other weekend. After all, it’s summer there now!
Price: International race entry £40, BA flights from £750.
Ski tour from a mountain hut
Escape to the roof of Europe
Extreme rating 7/10 | Travel time 1hr 20 mins to Innsbruck, 30 mins drive | tyrol.com
Ski weekends are all the rage, but fewer people take up the rewarding challenge and ultimate escape of a ski touring weekend.
Long distance ski touring journeys, where you hike uphill on your skis in remote alpine backcountry, often from one high alpine hut to another – are normally tackled over a week. So to scale things back, we’ve simplified the concept to a single, remote, mountain base.
The Lizumer Hurtte is under an hour’s drive from Innsbruck airport, yet is a gateway to a true back country experience. It’s far removed from any resort and has a wide choice of routes, to suit all conditions and experience levels. It sleeps 45, has hot showers, serves good food and even has a climbing wall!
Price: Lizumer Mountain Hut from £20 a night pp bed only, Mountain Guide £250/day.
