Walking vacations travel guide
Walking vacations are the oldest form of tourism known to man. For centuries people have travelled by foot whether for a pilgrimage, to visit friends or family on the other side of a mountain, or simply to be at one with nature. Walking vacations have had a revival over the last decade, however, as the initial buzz of high adrenaline vacation options began to wear off for many of us, and a craving for just getting back to nature kicked in.
A walking vacation in remote areas is not just about the walking, but is a medium to see other cultures and traditions. So you can, literally, step into somebody else’s world.![]()
Most walking vacation companies have been founded by people who live and breathe walking. They have spent years getting to know waymarked ways way off the normal tourist trails. Or befriending and then hiring wonderful local guides who know the bridle and byways inside out. It is this combination of expertise and excitement about walking as a form of relaxation that has opened a whole new walking world for the 21st century, and yet one that will almost always take you right back in time.
Our walking vacations travel guide shares information on where to go – and how to hike there.
Our walking vacations travel guide shares information on where to go – and how to hike there.
Our Walking Vacations
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1649 to US $2049
8 days
ex flights
Spanish course & hiking vacation, Picos de Europa, Spain
Spanish classes + stunning hikes in Picos de Europa
From
€659
7 days
ex flights
Cyclades walking vacations in Greece
A gently active vacation in the Cyclades
From
US $1879 to US $2099
8 days
ex flights
Hiking the Inca trail vacation
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
From
US $2049 to US $2179
8 days
ex flights
Small group walking vacation in Croatia
Idyllic walks through some of Europe's finest scenery
From
US $1749 to US $2049
8 days
ex flights
Gran Canaria walking tours, Canary Islands
This unique volcanic island reveals unexpected variety
From
US $1350 to US $1520
8 days
ex flights
The Carian Trail hiking vacation in Turkey
Self guided walking vacation along the Aegean Coast in Turkey
From
£585
8 days
ex flights
Sicily walking vacation, Sicilian Volcanoes
Discover Mt Etna and the beautiful volcanic achipelago
From
US $1949 to US $2099
8 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro climb, Machame route
Amazing Private Or Group Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route
From
US $3055
9 days
ex flights
Luxury trekking vacation in the Atlas Mountains
Stay at the Kasbah and trek in style
From
€957
6 days
ex flights
The Lycian Way hiking vacation in Turkey
Follow one of Turkey's most spectacular coastal trails
From
US $760 to US $790
8 days
ex flights
Tigray trekking tour in Ethiopia
Walk through beautiful landscape as guests of the Villagers
From
US $205
4 days
ex flights
Piedmont walking vacation, Vineyards of Barolo
A gastronomic gem quietly tucked away
From
£2095 to £2249
9 days
inc UK flights
Picos inn to inn walking vacation in Spain
Hike through beautiful mountains staying in rural inns
From
£1300
8 days
ex flights
Walking in Andalucia, Spain
Guided hill walking vacations in Torrox, Andalucia.
From
£575 to £850
8 days
ex flights
Atlas Mountains trekking and Marrakech
Stay at Kasbah du Toubkal to trek in style then in Marrakech
From
€1241 to €1301
8 days
ex flights
Transylvania winter walking and snowshoeing vacation
Wander through the mountains and forests of wintery Transylvania
From
US $1479
8 days
ex flights
Catalonia self guided walking vacations, Spain
Self-guided walking vacations in Catalonia
From
€715 to €799
8 days
ex flights
Las Alpujarras hiking vacation, Spain
Guided walking vacation, Andalucia, with writer Chris Stewart
From
€1295
8 days
ex flights
Greece hiking vacation, Kythnos
Hiking vacation on Kythnos, a beautiful Greek island in the Cyclades group
From
€395
6 days
ex flights
Peru walking and cultural vacation
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
From
US $2300
10 days
ex flights
Trekking in Ethiopia, nr Lalibela
Walk through beautiful landscapes as guests of the villagers
From
US $205
4 days
ex flights
Tuscany tours, walking and wine tasting in Italy
Walking and wine tasting in Tuscany
From
US $1749 to US $1879
8 days
ex flights
North Cyprus walking vacation
Varied walks amid rugged scenery and superb archaeology
From
US $1099 to US $1399
8 days
ex flights
Dolomites walking vacation in Italy
Sandwiched between the spectacular peaks of the Dolomites
From
US $1949 to US $2479
8 days
ex flights
Patagonia tailor made tour, self guided
Self-guided vacation in stunning Patagonian mountains.
From
US $2850
13 days
ex flights
Great Wall of China walking vacation
Trek along various contrasting sections of the wall
From
US $1799 to US $1879
9 days
ex flights
Spanish Pyrenees guided walking vacation
Guided Walking in the Ordesa National Park, Spanish Pyrenees
From
€1350
8 days
ex flights
What we rate & what we don't
Underrated
Croatia
Known more for its coast and islands, there are extraordinary walking vacations even just an hour inland, with eight national parks to explore. There are also mountains just an hour from Zagreb, probably one of the most underrated European capital cities. And you would be mad not to walk a bit of the coast too, of course, hopping and hiking all those island idylls.
Japan
Hiking is a must when traveling in Japan, with mountains and forests covering 70% of the country. The Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo Trails are pure rapture for ramblers. The former an ancient pilgrimage route through the richly forested Kii Mountains, and the latter a 17th century historic byway from Kyoto to Edo, now Tokyo.
Canada
One of the biggest countries in the world, this is a land to walk in, wonder at and go wild in. With the Rocky Mountains at its core, you can hike through Jasper, Banff, Glacier and Yoho national parks, head with a packhorse and guide into the remote Tweedsmuir Park. Or just stay in one place and still find a different walk every day for a year.
Portugal
You don’t have to forgo the sun, sea and sand that Portugal is famous for when you go on a walking vacation. Not with a 350 kms Rota Vicentina waymarked way that stretches along the coast. You can also take in the flower filled coastal valleys of the Alentejo uplands or just aim high and head to the stunning Serra de Estrela mountains.
Rated
Nepal
Which hiker doesn’t hanker after the Himalayas? It has the highest mountains, bottomless gorges, and some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet. Everest is the leader of the pack, the breathtaking Annapurna range, a horseshoe-shaped, 210km route that wanders through traditional Hindu villages coming in second, with Manaslu, a long and challenging trek that’s higher than Annapurna the latest one to bag.
Patagonia
Belonging to both Chile and Argentina, Patagonia feels as if it was created especially for hikers. Because this is a land where borders don’t matter. The magnificent mountains, lakes and rivers don’t stop because of a line on the map, and the welcome given to hikers doesn’t change either. Because this is Patagonia - the end of the world. And a pure walkers’ world at that.
Morocco
This has been on the expert explorers’ radar for a long time, but lovers of Moroccan souks and seaside are now starting to embark on journeys up to its magnificent peaks. Hardcore hikers head for the High Atlas’ Mount Toubkal but there is superb walking to be had in the lower Atlas range too, with welcoming Berber people at wonderfully remote mountain villages.
Madagascar
Most of Madagascar's flora and fauna isn’t only endemic but also entrancing, and so when you hike here, you really do feel as if you are stepping into a lost world. Parts of the island are so remote you’ll often combine walking with kayaking or rafting in order to get to the otherwise inaccessible mountains and canyons of the south, or rainforest of the north.
Overrated
Chokka charity climbs
They are almost a business onto themselves and, although most have great intentions, the minority have responsible tourism policies, throwing thousands of hikers on the hills, trampling and littering, often with little financial benefit for local people to boot. So, choose your charity hike wisely and consider the options of raising money for a local charity. At least, extend your stay and leave some money locally too.
The beaten track
For every packed peak, there is nearly always another empty one nearby. Same goes for national parks. 70 per cent of Japan, for example is mountainous, yet most people only want to fawn over Fuji. Switched on hikers are heading south to explore Kerala’s Western Ghats instead of the Himalayas, and worshippers of the Camino de Santiago are discovering heavenly spots along Portugal’s Serra de Monchique's ancient paths.
Old walking gear
It’s all very well being attached to the hiking boots your dad wore, and his dad before that. Or that daypack you have had for years, and stitched up again and again. But sometimes it is OK just to let them go, enshrine them if needs be, and acknowledge the benefits of high tech waterproof and breathable walking gear. With the exception of a fine old handed down hipflask of course.
Racing to the top
The clue is in the name ‘Walking… Vacation’. They are not about getting to the top first, or rounding that distant headland before everyone else. They are for people who want to step into other natural landscapes, explore culture in remote places, and pass the time of day with people they meet en route. Who needs the top? There’ll be plenty of highs along the way.
Our top Walking Vacation
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1649 to US $2049
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 23 Dec, 30 Dec
2022: 12 Feb, 19 Feb, 26 Feb, 5 Mar, 12 Mar, 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 30 Apr, 28 May, 4 Jun, 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 25 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep ...
2021: 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 23 Dec, 30 Dec
2022: 12 Feb, 19 Feb, 26 Feb, 5 Mar, 12 Mar, 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 30 Apr, 28 May, 4 Jun, 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 25 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Walking or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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More about Walking
When it comes to types of walking vacations they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes with center-based, walking safaris, self-guided walking tours and winter walking just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to stepping out in your favourite well-worn pair of hikers.
Where to go on a walking vacation will totally depend on time constraints and energy levels however, as our interactive map of highlights ranges from Canada and Patagonia to the Alps, the Atlas Mountains and Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit, you’ll have no excuses when it comes to deciding on where to go on a walking vacation.
If you’re looking to try a few new walking vacation activities then take a rest right here as we know what complements a walking vacation including ideas about cultural engagement, local food, wildlife watching and how to get two for the price of one.
Here are our Top 10 tough walks, our favourite ones to not only dream about, but train for, book and go. Boldly, to where just a few men, and women, have gone before.
Our top 10 mountains to climb are scattered around the globe, offering fit and adventurous travelers the chance to shoot for the summit and experience a unique part of the world in a single trip.
Our walking vacations for families are based around expert advice from those who have been there and done that, so we can offer a wide range of trips for families with children of all ages.
Discover walking vacation advice from the experts by reading up on getting started, packing tips, getting fit and how to travel safely with your kids when on a walking vacation, as well as walking vacation reviews from our travelers.
From porters’ rights in Nepal to leaving no trace wherever you are, responsible walking vacations start and finish with you, the responsible traveler, so read on and find out how to travel right when on a walking vacation.
Find all our walking guides in one place covering everything from the paths of England to the snow capped mountains of the Himalaya or the mystical Inca Trail.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Tdway] [Underrated: NH53]
[Rated: Squirrel_photos]
[Overrated: Peter Stevens]
[Go on a walking vacation if… : Tobias Cornille]
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