By Everett Potter

As many of us slowly resume traveling, nothing epitomizes “slow travel” more than a walking trip. The best itineraries are a combination of dramatic scenery, wonderful regional cuisine and a pace that offers exercise and adventure in equal measure. It’s the perfect way to reflect on the events of the past two years and to contemplate what lies ahead. Here are five new walking trips that debut in 2022 from some of the best tour operators in the business.

Hiking the Isle of Madeira

For those who’ve managed to cover much of Europe on foot, Madeira remains one of the few enchanting, out of the way places left to explore. Set in the Atlantic Ocean and warmed by the Gulf Stream, this Portuguese island is known for its lush forests, volcanic peaks and namesake fortified wines. On this Wilderness Travel trip, you walk the “levada” trails along ancient irrigation canals through green valleys and UNESCO-protected laurisilva forests rich in mosses and lichens … continue reading