In many ways, winter is the best time of year to hike. The peace that comes from breaking trail through a fresh blanket of snow in a completely empty park is worth the all-year wait. End the hike with hot cocoa, and it feels like you’re living in a Hallmark movie.

But then the snow melts into mud and turns gray, and the novelty of brisk air grows tiresome. So it makes sense that by now, many are remembering the salad days of summer, when we didn’t have to pack a ton of layers or suffer the consequences. This time of year, warm temps are still the standard in our country’s lower latitudes and altitudes where it’s still shorts weather for locals.

Seeking sun and don’t know where to start? Try these warm-weather winter hikes. 

Florida Trail, Florida

Florida’s not just a spring break destination. For hikers, the over-1,000-mile-long Florida Trail is the best fourth-season thru-hike. Dry season runs from October through May, so your hiking conditions will be pleasant when the rest of the country is busy shoveling their driveway. Take it in sections or give it your best shot in one go. Our Triple Crowner freelancer Grayson Haver Currin says the FT tops his list of favorite long trails, because of its “strange mix of majesty and menace (and mud, so much mud).” Here’s what you need to know to do it yourself:

Everything I Wish I Knew Before Hiking the Florida Trail

The Florida Trail is the Perfect Winter Hike

San Diego, California

Our associate editor Emma Veidt’s hometown is a classic wintertime destination. There’s generally little variation in the weather, so it’s easy to plan a hike, and there are hundreds of miles of trails with coastal views to explore. Plus, when you’re not hiking, you can experience local wildlife in action: It’s the time of year where over 20,000 gray whales migrate from Alaska to Baja California to breed and give birth. They stay close to the shoreline in transit, so you have a very good chance of seeing tail flukes and pods of whales, especially between mid December and February. Here’s where you should lace up:

The Best San Diego Hikes for Your Next Coastal Adventure

The Best Hikes in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Maui, Hawaii

Wintertime temperatures on Maui climb to the 80s on sunnier sides of the island, which could have the winter weariest foaming at the mouth. There’s a slight catch, here: In winter, where many areas can expect snow, Maui expects rain—especially in the lush Hana and the West Maui Mountains. Precipitation revives many waterfalls on the island, so as long as you have accommodating footwear, it’s worth hiking through. Maui is known for its biodiversity, which means you can explore rainforests, volcanoes, bamboo forests, and much more. 

Maui sees below average visitation levels in the winter months, but that doesn’t mean you can be a bad tourist. As it goes the rest of the year, when visiting Hawaii, do so responsibly. Follow local guidelines and respect the locals and their land, especially when hiking these trails:

The Best Hikes On Maui

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Winters in this national park close to the Mexican border are generally quite tolerable. If you’re looking for an escape from frost, stick to dayhikes. Average daytime temps in December and January hover at or above 70°F, but nighttime temps can dip into freezing. The entire national park is wonderful, but this 4.8-mile out and back is one of our favorite trails:

Hike of the Week: Lost Mine Trail, Big Bend National Park, TX

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix’s terrain can be brutal in the summer, but winter is an excellent time to explore its trails. At the time of this writing, temperatures in Phoenix are 68°F with a forecasted high of 81°F this week. That’s the perfect weather for early-morning hikes that end just as the air heats up a bit. Similar to Big Bend, Phoenix gets quite chilly in the evenings, so those seeking warm-weather winter hikes should stick to daytime outings. There’s an expansive network of trails outside of downtown Phoenix and beyond, but here’s where you should start:

Hike Like a Local in Phoenix

The Best Trails in Phoenix for All Types of Hikers