Walking vacation advice
Getting started tip
Jonny Bealby, founder of our leading supplier Wild Frontiers, gives his walking vacation advice:
"Pick the right walking vacation. What I find is that most walkers don’t usually want to just put one foot in front of another for 14 days, they want to experience other things as well. So our vacations are not just about walking – it is a main feature, but you will also get to see cultural highlights, so that when you are walking you get a much greater sense of where you are. If you are an ardent dyed-in-the-wool walker and that is all you are interested in, that is fine. But if you have a broader interest and walking is part of what you want to do, but not the sole raison d’être, then you need to be careful about the walking vacation you choose."
"Pick the right walking vacation. What I find is that most walkers don’t usually want to just put one foot in front of another for 14 days, they want to experience other things as well. So our vacations are not just about walking – it is a main feature, but you will also get to see cultural highlights, so that when you are walking you get a much greater sense of where you are. If you are an ardent dyed-in-the-wool walker and that is all you are interested in, that is fine. But if you have a broader interest and walking is part of what you want to do, but not the sole raison d’être, then you need to be careful about the walking vacation you choose."
Our Walking Vacations
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1399 to US $1879
8 days
ex flights
Cyclades walking vacations in Greece
A gently active vacation in the Cyclades
From
US $1649 to US $1879
8 days
ex flights
Sicily walking vacation, Sicilian Volcanoes
Discover Mt Etna and the beautiful volcanic achipelago
From
US $1749 to US $1879
8 days
ex flights
Walking in Andalucia, Spain
Guided hill walking vacations in Torrox, Andalucia.
From
£545 to £820
8 days
ex flights
Trekking vacation in Cuba
Hiking and exploring the unspoiled national parks of Cuba
From
£270 to £580
4 days
ex flights
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
US $3279 to US $3449
15 days
ex flights
Finland hiking vacation
A hut-to-hut hiking journey along Finland's eastern border
From
€1020
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
Picos inn to inn walking vacation in Spain
Hike through beautiful mountains staying in rural inns
From
£1295
8 days
ex flights
Catalonia self guided walking vacations, Spain
Self-guided walking vacations in Catalonia
From
€715 to €799
8 days
ex flights
The Lycian Way hiking vacation in Turkey
Follow one of Turkey's most spectacular coastal trails
From
US $700
8 days
ex flights
Ethiopia walking tour
A superb walking tour showcasing the best of Ethiopia
From
£4195
13 days
inc UK flights
Piedmont walking vacation, Vineyards of Barolo
A gastronomic gem quietly tucked away
From
£2095
9 days
inc UK flights
Self drive vacation in Northern Greece, hike & tour
Macedonia & Epirus - sightseeing & walking in ancient Greece
From
£425 to £550
8 days
ex flights
Kumano Kodo trekking vacation, Japan
Village to village walking in the sacred Kii Peninsula
From
US $3540
9 days
ex flights
Tigray trekking tour in Ethiopia
Walk through beautiful landscape as guests of the Villagers
From
US $205
4 days
ex flights
Las Alpujarras hiking vacation, Spain
Guided walking vacation, Andalucia, with writer Chris Stewart
From
€1295
8 days
ex flights
Atacama and Patagonia hiking vacation
Explore Chile on foot Atacama Patagonia Walking Vacation
From
£4595 to £5170
14 days
ex flights
Trekking in Ethiopia, nr Lalibela
Walk through beautiful landscapes as guests of the villagers
From
US $205
4 days
ex flights
Canadian Rockies tour
Experience breath-taking scenery in the Canadian Rockies
From
US $2049
12 days
ex flights
Patagonia tailor made tour, self guided
Self-guided vacation in stunning Patagonian mountains.
From
US $2850
13 days
ex flights
Luxury trekking vacation in the Atlas Mountains
Stay at the Kasbah and trek in style
From
€957
6 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
Walking vacation in Montenegro
Guided walking vacation in stupendous Montenegro
From
£695 to £795
7 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
Japan self guided trekking vacation, Nakasendo Trail
Self-guided walking along Japan’s ancient Nakasendo trail
From
US $985 to US $1390
5 days
ex flights
Meteora and Pindos Mountains hiking vacation in Greece
Rock formations and monasteries of Meteora and Vikos Gorge.
From
£690
8 days
ex flights
Guided walking vacations in the French Alps
Guided walking from a historic chalet base
From
£829
8 days
ex flights
Packing tips
Melanie McAnaw walking vacation expert from our supplier, Headwater:
“I always carry a small amount of talcum powder. It might sound strange but it’s good for reducing friction and redness if you find yourself with any blisters, chaffing or heat rash. It can also help your feet stay dry and keep your thighs from chafing over long distances if you use a little before (and after) your walk. A small roll of adhesive bandage/plaster (and something to cut it with) can also be a lifesaver if you do feel yourself developing a blister. It can sometimes make the difference between a nice walk and a painful slog!”
“I always carry a small amount of talcum powder. It might sound strange but it’s good for reducing friction and redness if you find yourself with any blisters, chaffing or heat rash. It can also help your feet stay dry and keep your thighs from chafing over long distances if you use a little before (and after) your walk. A small roll of adhesive bandage/plaster (and something to cut it with) can also be a lifesaver if you do feel yourself developing a blister. It can sometimes make the difference between a nice walk and a painful slog!”
Jonny Bealby, founder of our leading supplier Wild Frontiers:
“Bring waterproofs. Not just in your main luggage, but in your daypack on each day that you are walking. Even if there are blue skies in the morning, the weather changes quickly in the mountains, You also need two or three layers. In terms of boots, there are so many to choose from. I don’t even have a proper pair of hiking boots, but use a pair of Caterpillars, which I have used for years and walked all over the place in them. And then they don’t look bad when you are walking around Tblisi or wherever afterwards. But when I do a serious hike like K2, then I had to spend £150 on a serious pair of Meindls.”
“Bring waterproofs. Not just in your main luggage, but in your daypack on each day that you are walking. Even if there are blue skies in the morning, the weather changes quickly in the mountains, You also need two or three layers. In terms of boots, there are so many to choose from. I don’t even have a proper pair of hiking boots, but use a pair of Caterpillars, which I have used for years and walked all over the place in them. And then they don’t look bad when you are walking around Tblisi or wherever afterwards. But when I do a serious hike like K2, then I had to spend £150 on a serious pair of Meindls.”
Emma Garrick from our supplier Exodus has good pointers when it comes to walking vacation advice: “Layers are the way to go as opposed to big jackets, certainly for lower altitude treks; I would bring a couple of lighter fleeces and long sleeved tops and layer up that way. Some people like to use walking poles and I think they’re especially useful on long days of descent as it takes the weight off you knees, though it’s generally people in their 40s and upwards who use them. It’s always the case that you don’t need everything you think you will; as a rule of thumb you’ll probably need half of what you originally pack.”
Our top Walking Vacation
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1399 to US $1879
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 29 Feb, 21 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 19 Dec, 26 Dec
2020: 29 Feb, 21 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 19 Dec, 26 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.
Health & safety
HEALTH
SAFETY
Vacation reviews from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful walking travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful walking travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
Travel light as there is a lot of packing and re-packing as you leave one place for the next.
Have some Peruvian Sol in small denominations as change is very hard to find ![]()
– Keith Charters, walking on the Inca Trail
“If you want to get away from it all this the place for you. It would help if you have some basic Spanish or take a phrase book with you! Everyone was very friendly and helpful and the old man in the local supermarket even used Google Translate to help us work out what we were trying to ask for!” - Jackie Day on a self-guided walking vacation in Andalucia
“The walks look short, but involve a lot of up and down so are more challenging than they initially appear. But the views make them absolutely worthwhile…. Swimming in the sea below the ancient monastery at San Fruttuoso after a hot walk was just magical!” - Lynn Bowie on a walking vacation along the Italian Riviera
“Organise a group tip kitty at the beginning - it would save the problem of everyone trying to find 20 Dhm for the Souk guide, the mini bus driver etc. Have a tip kitty for the porters / cook / guides - and don't feel obliged to pay what is recommended, but what you feel is appropriate.” - Simon Brown on Mount Toubkal trekking vacation
“The walks look short, but involve a lot of up and down so are more challenging than they initially appear. But the views make them absolutely worthwhile…. Swimming in the sea below the ancient monastery at San Fruttuoso after a hot walk was just magical!” - Lynn Bowie on a walking vacation along the Italian Riviera
“Organise a group tip kitty at the beginning - it would save the problem of everyone trying to find 20 Dhm for the Souk guide, the mini bus driver etc. Have a tip kitty for the porters / cook / guides - and don't feel obliged to pay what is recommended, but what you feel is appropriate.” - Simon Brown on Mount Toubkal trekking vacation
We travelled with kids aged 13 and 11. Be prepared for the effects of the altitude, although it doesn't stop you from doing everything, it does make you feel tired and headachy. Also, pray for good weather in July/August, we were lucky!![]()
– Alan Levy on a walking vacation to Tibet’s Everest Base Camp
“If you want to learn Spanish, go on some great hikes and be truly immersed in Spanish all week (both in school and in the local community) - then book it without hesitation! If you want the city atmosphere or you are a 100% sun seeker, then keep looking!” - Hazel Tyror on a hiking and learning Spanish walking vacation in the Picos de Europa
“While there are some neat things to see in Kathmandu, spend as little time as possible there. The pollution in the city made my eyes sting.” - Brian Henning on a walking vacation in the Langtang Valley, Nepal
“While there are some neat things to see in Kathmandu, spend as little time as possible there. The pollution in the city made my eyes sting.” - Brian Henning on a walking vacation in the Langtang Valley, Nepal
More about Walking
If you’re interested in finding out what we rate and what we don’t as part of our walking travel guide then you’ll be pleased to know that you have no further to travel other than right here.
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.
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] [Getting started tip: Fresco Tours]
[Packing tips: pxhere]
[Health & Safety: pxhere]
[Keith Charters quote: Wendy Harman]
[Alan Levy quote: Sam Hawley]
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