Walking vacations travel guide
Walking vacations are one of the oldest forms 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 $1679 to US $2349
8 days
ex flights
Nakasendo Trail walking tour, Japan
Village-to-village walking on the historic Nakasendo trail
From
US $4420
12 days
ex flights
Everest Circuit hiking vacation, Nepal
3 week trek of Gokyo Lake & Everest Base Camp
From
US $3690 to US $3870
21 days
ex flights
Family Kilimanjaro trek in Tanzania
A child friendly Lemosho route Kilimanjaro trek
From
£4000 to £5000
10 days
ex flights
Spanish course & hiking vacation, Picos de Europa, Spain
Spanish classes + stunning hikes in Picos de Europa
From
€830
5 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 $1679 to US $2349
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 18 Nov, 30 Dec
2024: 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 21 Dec, 28 Dec
2023: 18 Nov, 30 Dec
2024: 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 2 Mar, 9 Mar, 16 Mar, 23 Mar, 30 Mar, 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 4 May, 11 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 8 Jun, 15 Jun, 22 Jun, 29 Jun, 6 Jul, 13 Jul, 20 Jul, 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 21 Dec, 28 Dec
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.
