Madeira is a small but mountainous island which, despite being Portuguese, actually sits closer to the African continent than to Europe.

It’s known as “the island of eternal Spring”, with a pleasant climate even in winter, and it is a place with primordial beauty - green mountains with steep cliffs, jagged peaks and ocean views.

This island is well known for canyoning, but it’s also particularly special for hikers. You’ve got the PR routes - waymarked walking paths which take you up to the highest mountains - and levada walks, which follow old stone irrigation systems into Laurisilva forest and mountain tunnels.

PR1 will take you to Pico Ruivo, which at 1,861m (6,105ft) is the highest peak on the island, while the Levada do Furado makes for a fascinating exploration of the Ribeiro Frio valley.

If you’re keen to stay on the Portuguese mainland, have a look at the Rota Vicentina - a series of long-distance walking routes along the dreamy, dramatic southwest coast of the country.

The Julian Alps in Slovenia offer the same drama and beauty as in France and Switzerland but without the crowds. Think limestone peaks, towering above alpine meadows and deep gorges.

Most people know about the postcard-perfect Lake Bled, but there’s so much more beyond.

If you like the sound of staying in a mountain refuge and climbing to the peak of the country (including a via ferrata finish), look at Mount Triglav. This 2,846m (9,337ft) peak is the roof of Slovenia, and ascending it is a right of passage for outdoor enthusiasts here.

If you’re looking for a route travelling through (rather than up) those mountains, check out the Juliana Trail - a 16-stage route which is a highlight reel of the country. You’ll pass through the mountain town of Kranjska Gora, circle Lake Bled and stroll the Soča River. Stage eight is our favourite - taking you into the forests between Bohinj and Podbrdo, and a world of green.

The Camino de Santiago is one of the oldest hiking networks still active today, and there’s a good reason why it’s sustained so long. There are a variety of different Camino routes, all of which culminate at the tomb of Saint James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela, an architectural wonder and remarkable city (particularly if you like a plate of seafood).

The route which most people mean if they say they’re “hiking the Camino” is called the Camino Francés, a 485-mile (780km) trail beginning in the French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, crossing the Pyrenees into Spain, then heading west through the vineyards of La Rioja (wine anyone?), over the flat plains of La Meseta and into the green hills of Galicia.

The diversity experienced along this huge trail is one of the reasons it’s been so enduring.

We realise the Camino isn’t for everyone, though. If you’re looking for something lesser known - but still want that plate of tapas - head to the Picos de Europa in the north of Spain. This little-touristed range is home to wolves, vultures and deep gorges, with cliff-edge hikes.

The Italian Dolomites are a mountain range immediately recognisable by their jagged limestone peaks, which have led even UNESCO to dub them “among the most attractive mountain landscapes in the world." If you’re hiking here for the first time, look at Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2.

The phrase ‘Alta Via’ simply means ‘High Route’, so you’ll find this tagline applied to routes in various parts of Italy. The Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites runs through alpine meadows and under high peaks, taking you from the Lago di Braies in South Tyrol (a delightful, picturesque lake) to Belluno, in the south. You’ll pass through Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park and Cinque Torri.

While the Alta Via 1 is 72 miles (115km) and takes 6-10 days, the Alta Via 2 is a tougher, longer route, running 108 miles (174km) and taking 10-14 days to walk. It includes several via ferratas. You’ll pass through the Sella Massif and navigate the rock towers of the Pale di San Martino plateau.

The best day hikes in the Dolomites include ascents of the Civetta (3,220m/10,564ft) and the famous Marmolada (3,343m/10,967ft). If you do visit the Dolomites, we recommend staying in the idyllic mountain huts along the way. We’re not sure if you’ve heard, but Italian food is rather tasty

Everyone knows the Greek islands are beautiful, but few know that as well as the sandy beaches, craggy coastline and azure waters, the islands are also a hiking dreamscape.

The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete, has a notably mountainous interior. It’s in the stony White Mountains in Chania that you’ll find Pachnes - at 2,453m (8,047ft), the high point of the island.

You can combine coast and mountains at Agia Roumeli, a town backdropped by mountains, which is also the southern entrance to the Samaria Gorge. This is the longest gorge in Greece and the most popular hiking spot on the island, for good reason. You’ll feel tiny walking between rocky walls on the dry river bed, passing through the ‘iron gates’ - stunning cliff walls which almost touch.

There’s fascinating history here, too. Back in the 14th century, the Samaria Gorge was a haven for freedom fighters fending off the ruling Venetian class. It’s remarkable to think as you walk it.