Best Long Distance Hikes in April
30 trails ranked for April — by monthly climate and walking season
April is a shoulder-season month for long-distance walking: excellent in many lowland, coastal and Mediterranean regions, unreliable in higher mountains. Spring light and cooler air favour steady mileage, but snow, saturated ground and holiday demand still shape sensible plans.
Pictured: Cotswold Way — a top pick for April Conditions in April
- ▸ Iberia and Mediterranean islands: spring growth, manageable heat, but exposed sections still dry quickly.
- ▸ UK and Ireland: longer days help, though Atlantic fronts keep bogs and rivers lively.
- ▸ Alps and high Pyrenees: winter snowpack lingers; hut networks are mostly not summer-ready.
- ▸ Scandinavia: lowland thaw begins, but uplands remain snowy, wet and logistically awkward.
- ▸ Japan: spring walking is strong below high mountains; accommodation can tighten around holidays.
Planning tips
- ✓ Treat high mountains as winter terrain unless current local information says otherwise.
- ✓ Book Easter-period accommodation early, especially in popular coastal and island areas.
- ✓ Carry waterproofs and flexible stages; April weather changes fast.
Moselsteig
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Germany · 365 km · 24 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 9°C average (-5–25°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–May & Oct–Nov.
Cotswold Way
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United Kingdom, England · 164 km · 7-10 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 8°C average (-4–23°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jun & Aug–Nov.
Stour Valley Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 103 km · 5-6 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 9°C average (-4–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jun & Aug–Nov.
Michinoku Coastal Trail (Partial)
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Japan · 50 km · 3 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 7°C average (-5–23°C), wet. Best months: Mar–Jun & Oct–Nov.
The Ridgeway
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 139 km · 6 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 9°C average (-4–23°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jun & Sep–Nov.
Staffordshire Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 148 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 8°C average (-4–22°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Camí de Ronda (Costa Brava Trail)
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Spain · 190 km · 10 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 14°C average (5–25°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–May & Sep–Nov.
White Horse Trail
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 146.5 km · 7-9 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 9°C average (-4–23°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jun & Sep–Nov.
Alpujarras Trail
View trail → Spain · 50 km · 3-4 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 14°C average (1–27°C), low rainfall. Best months: Mar–May & Oct–Nov.
GR700 (Regordane Way)
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France · 240 km · 10-12 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 10°C average (-4–27°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–May & Sep–Oct.
South Downs Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 160 km · 8 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 9°C average (-2–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jul & Sep–Nov.
Western Way
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Ireland · 179 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 8°C average (-2–20°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Navarre Camino Route
View trail → Spain · 155 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 10°C average (-1–26°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–May & Oct–Nov.
The Wealdway
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 133 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 8°C average (-4–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Aeolian Islands Trek
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Italy · 54 km · 5 days · Hard Typical April weather: 16°C average (9–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–May & Sep–Nov.
Kintyre Way
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United Kingdom, Scotland · 161 km · 6-7 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 8°C average (0–16°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Glyndŵr’s Way
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United Kingdom, Wales · 217 km · 9 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 7°C average (-4–22°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Essex Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 130 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 9°C average (-3–25°C), low rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jun & Aug–Nov.
GR223 (Cami de Cavalls)
View trail → Spain · 185 km · 7-10 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 15°C average (9–20°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–May & Sep–Nov.
Greensand Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 174 km · 6-9 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 9°C average (-2–23°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Pilgrim's Way to Bardsey Island
View trail → United Kingdom, Wales · 216 km · 14 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 7°C average (-4–21°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
The Dales Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 129 km · 6-8 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 7°C average (-4–21°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Heart of England Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 163 km · 6-10 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 8°C average (-4–24°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Wye Valley Walk
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 219 km · 10-12 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 9°C average (-1–23°C), low rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
GR71 (Picos de Europa Trail)
View trail → Spain · 127 km · 8 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 9°C average (-2–26°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jul & Sep–Nov.
GR121 (Basque Coast Trail)
View trail → Spain · 92 km · 6 days · Hard Typical April weather: 13°C average (5–25°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Jul & Sep–Nov.
GR68 (Tour of Cévennes National Park)
View trail → France · 116.5 km · 6-7 days · Hard Typical April weather: 10°C average (-3–28°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Apr–May & Sep–Oct.
GR38 (Wine and Fish Route)
View trail → Spain · 166 km · 7 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 10°C average (-3–29°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–May & Oct–Nov.
Cleveland Way
View trail → United Kingdom, England · 175 km · 8-9 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 8°C average (-3–23°C), moderate rainfall. Best months: Mar–Nov.
Golden Trail of the Czech Paradise (Zlatá stezka Českého ráje)
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Czechia · 119 km · 5-7 days · Moderate Typical April weather: 8°C average (-6–26°C), low rainfall. Best months: Apr–May & Sep–Oct.
How this list is ranked: each trail's monthly climate normals (average, minimum and maximum temperature plus rainfall, from NASA POWER satellite-era data, adjusted for the trail's altitude) are combined with its published walking season and its overall HikeList Score. Rankings refresh as trails are added. Always check current conditions before travelling.