Dust off your best walking boots as you are going to explore Europe on foot! Gear yourself up for the walks along the breath-taking coasts and huge snow-covered mountains, witness picturesque fjords, and spot rare wildlife along the way. Europe offers the best walking tours to all kinds of travellers. There are easy hikes, plain walking trails, and challenging paths for people of all ages. Many of the trips are guided, so you are ensured safe and comfortable walking holidays in one of your favourite destinations. So, carry your backpack, get your necessary items, and be prepared for the most beautiful walking tour of your life. Below are the 9 best walking holidays to book in Europe:
1. Camino de Santiago, Spain
Embark on this unforgettable pilgrimage of 155 km across the Camino de Santiago, Spain. This ancient pilgrimage is a beautiful journey holding significant importance in Christianity. But, what makes this pilgrimage truly special is that you get to walk through the breath-taking scenery, historic towns, and narrow streets across the best parts of Spain. Some of the highlights of this walking holiday include O Cebreiro – a mountain village with picturesque views, Cruz de Ferro – Highest Iron Cross, and Santiago De Compostela – A historic town where you get to meet other pilgrims from across the world.
2. Amalfi Coast Walking, Italy
Amalfi Coast is known for its photogenic landscape – colourful towns, terraced gardens, crystal clear seas along the cliffs, and walking tours. Amalfi Coast allows visitors to walk through the Path of Gods, enjoy the delicious food and drink, an optional visit to Pompeii, Ravello, and Mount Vesuvius. This walking tour runs for about 5 to 6 days (depending on which tour you are choosing). While many trips include a stay at one of the hotels in Amalfi, there is also an option to stay with an Italian family at their farms, experience the local life, and taste their home-grown food and wine.
3. Provence, France
Provence is widely known for its culinary scene and lavender fields. But there is much more to it! This beautiful part of France offers various walking tours where you can hike along the lush fields, forests, limestone hills, perched villages, and vineyards. You’ll get a chance to sample wine from the fields where grapes are grown, eat olives, taste goats cheese, and more. Learn about the secrets of local dishes by taking a cooking class under popular local chefs. Stroll through the local markets and meet merchants selling unique items.
4. The Land of Croatia
Croatia has been consistently ranking among one of the top active tourist destinations in Europe, and there is no wonder why. Walking tours in Croatia are not too challenging, and even travellers over 60 can enjoy them. There are numerous walking holidays to choose from in Croatia. One of the most popular ones is the Dubrovnik walking tour – you will explore the islands on foot, witness the ancient olive groves, and get to the isles of Sipan, where there are plenty of trails connecting villages with hidden coves. Other tours include a hiking tour of Istria and Coast and Canyons Guided Walking tours.
5. The Julian Alps
The Julian Alps is one of the most popular hiking places in Slovenia. The Julian mountain range stretches from Italy into Slovenia. These craggy peaks are lightly dusted with snow most of the time around the year. Below the mountains, there are glass-like lakes, emerald-coloured rivers, and breath-taking alpine meadows. Though it is recommended to book a guided tour, you can also start your trekking journey on your own. There are many mountain huts all over the range offering comfortable stay and meals. The walks pass through various ancient villages where you can taste a variety of local cheeses and honey.
6. Fjords of Norway
Norway’s Fjords are undoubtedly incredible spectacles of the world. These remarkable fjords are lined with stunning waterfalls and lush hillsides above clear waters. Most visitors explore the fjords by coach or boat but let us tell you, the best way to wander around is by hiking. Opt for a walking tour to the fjords of Norway, and you’ll witness breath-taking views on the way. These tours range from moderate to advanced. Depending on your fitness level, you can book one accordingly and get ready to be mesmerized by the beauty of Norway.
7. Trekking in Eastern Iceland
If you consider yourself healthy and in good shape, then plan your walking holiday to Eastern Iceland and experience nature in its wildest form. The Eastern side of Iceland welcomes you with jaw-dropping fjords, stunning waterfalls, black beaches, lava fields, mud pools, and more. Additionally, tourists get to eat delicious local food at either a guesthouse or restaurants. The hikes, geothermal sites visit, village walks, and meals, and transport, are all included in these tours. We don’t recommend this tour to anyone who cannot walk much as it requires trekking through the wild passages and may not suit everybody.
8. The Svaneti Mountains, Georgia
Not many know about this UNESCO-protected area in Georgia called Svaneti. This town is famous for its beautiful mountain region that looks straight out of a fairy-tale. The best way to explore the Svaneti mountain ranges is by a hiking/walking tour. The trip will pass through the new Transcaucasian Trail, and you’ll get to see many other areas nearby, eat delicious cuisine, taste local wine, and admire picturesque mountains and villages. Many tours to the Svaneti Mountains take visitors through the town of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Ushguli, Shkhara Glacier, Iprari, and more, ending in Batumi.
9. Valais, Switzerland
It’s almost impossible not to mention the Valais when we talk about hiking tours. Valais is one of the top hiking destinations in Switzerland. The trek’s here are rather challenging and demand good health and fitness. The journey starts from the Bernese Oberland to the Kandergfirn Glacier. The next day, you’ll get into a cable car and hike the famous Gemmi Pass leading to the spa town of Leukerbad. Over the next few days, tourists pass through the jaw-dropping snow-covered peaks, vineyards, and valleys and end in the town of Zermatt.
Know Before You Go
You should always check the latest Department for Transport advice and Foreign Office travel advice before you book your holiday.
Travel Insurance for Walking Holidays
Don’t forget to arrange your travel insurance as soon as you book your walking holiday!
Our policies can cover hiking up to 6,000m* as well as many other activities such as rock climbing*, so you can rest assured that you are protected on your walking adventures.
We have adapted our policies to cover many types of disruption caused by Covid-19, so when you decide to book your next trip, you can now have peace of mind that your holiday is protected with our, Superior Rated* Covid-19 cover.
*Special conditions and exclusions apply. Please refer to the Policy Wording for full details.
