Spring hiking - advice
 

Hi, I've already booked a trip to the Swiss Alps for next summer, but I'm also considering to go somewhere for hiking during the spring. Late March or April is my preferred time to go. But here I have far less ideas for where to go than I have for my mid summer hiking trips.

I have only a couple of explicit requirements; the area for hiking should be within reasonable distance from a bigger international airport (Nice, Barcelona, Alicante, Malaga, Milano are some in southern Europe), and the trip should at least contain some mountain hiking. Since this is fairly early, I don't expect high mountain hiking above 2000m and it could very well be mix between coastal hiking, pastures and mountain, but some mountains are desireable.

Otherwise, I don't have many limitations. I'm thinking about a week (6-8 hiking days) and it could be multi-day hikes one-day hikes or a mix between these. Is Catalonia a good option? Other areas in Spain, France or Italy? Would welcome specific details on areas, routes, towns/villages to stay, etc.

Several of the areas you mention are probably good for hiking in the Spring; however, consider flying into Nice - it’s where the Alps tumble into the sea, so there are plenty of mountains around that are are accessible and a huge number of hiking trails in the area- from leisurely coastal walks up to 3000m peaks (summer only) and all within one and a half hours travel from Nice. Also March/ April should be a decent time to hike weather wise.

Try out this website- in French but has maps of the walks:

https://randoxygene.departement06.fr/pedestre-9002.html

Here is the map of all of the official marked hiking trails in France: GR® : Sentiers de Grande Randonnée - Mon GR®

.....and the sentier GR 51 continues from the French/Itgalian border up to La Spezia, under the name Alta Via dei Monti Liguri.
In the alps (Switzerland, South Tyrol) you could combine thousands of kms of hiking trails below the snow line with specially prepared hiking trails through te snow mountains, from Lake Geneva up to Lake Garda.
The Lycian Way can easily be reached from the international airport of Antalya.
The Spanish Sendero del Mediterraneo GR 92 links the French border south of Perpignan witz Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante.
etc. etc.........

Hello! If you were also thinking about Italy, I would recommend "Via degli Dei". It starts in Bologna, so it is really good for transportation, and ends in Florence. It is a very nice hike through the Apennines of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. It is 130 kms long so it takes about 5 days and it explores traditions, history and local cuisine. The trail does not reach over 1200 ms above sea level so it is optimal for spring. The path is full of comfortable places to stay. If you were thinking of a 7 days trip you could also briefly visit Bologna and Florence.
Another really good option is "Via Francigena". It was a religious paths that goes from Canterbury to Rome, through Flanders, Swiss and Italian Alps and the Apennines. Since it is really long you can decide to suit yourself your favourite itinerary, with your preferred sceneries.
Have a good time!!