21 best walking holidays in Europe

Wondering where to wander in Europe? Our expert picks the best trails, from gentle Amalfi Coast hikes to wild trekking in eastern Iceland

Richard Mellor and Mike MacEacheranTuesday November 07 2023, 11.33am, The Times

It’s the sheer variety that characterises walks in Europe. At one end of the continent, those who venture to Iceland can cross belching lava fields and black-sand beaches; over in Corfu, meanwhile, there are golden shores and vine-covered hillsides. In between are mountain ranges, lakes, lavender fields and beaver-filled bogs.

The continent also majors in legendary and well-maintained long-distance trails — the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Lycian Way, plus perhaps the world’s most famous footpath of all, the Camino de Santiago, which pilgrims have followed to northwestern Spain for over a millennium. All are best done with a tour operator, one who’ll arrange transport, transfer your bags (so you need only carry a day pack), provide helpful gradings and research the most restful, charismatic hotels. Led by expert guides and shown the key sights, you’ll just have to bring your legs on these 21 walking holidays in Europe — and maybe a camera chip or three.

Main photo: a walker at Gelidonya Lighthouse on the Lycian Way in Turkey (Getty Images)

Video: The Times’ Adrian Phillips takes an escorted tour in Tenerife with G Adventures

Times Travel has partnered with Tourhub to bring our readers a wide selection of escorted tours from trusted travel partners. Here, we’ve selected the very best European walking tours. For a bigger selection, visit Tourhub.

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1. La Gomera, Canary Islands

Set out on foot to explore the Canary Island that time forgot. This is a volcanic land shaped by cloud forests, folk legends and ancient hiking paths. Though in sight of the far busier package holiday hotspots of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, it is another world altogether. Garajonay National Park introduces this living museum at close quarters, with fairytale woodlands and volcanic barbs that rise above the ravines and highland plateaux like gigantic clenched fists. Ascend to the summit of Garajonay, the highest point on the island, or follow the island’s network of sinewy footpaths and historic mule trails.

• Which is the best Canary Island?
• Best villas in the Canary Islands

Garajonay National Park in La Gomera (Getty Images)

2. Accursed Mountains, Albania

Hungry for challenging walks? Forget trying to clamber to the highest point of Mont Blanc like everyone else and try the Accursed Mountains. The range crosses northern Albania and touches on Montenegro and Kosovo, and the walking routes here pass through a mountain range of national parks, steep valleys where glacial-blue rivers tumble, isolated but welcoming villages and dense, dark-green forests alive with unique flora and fauna. It’s an invigorating adventure that can be experienced on guided walking holidays in one of Europe’s last hidden places.

• Best things to do in Albania

The viewpoint at Diagonal Pass in the Accursed Mountains (Alamy)

3. Tuscany, Italy

The green, rolling hills of Tuscany are dotted with medieval red-tiled villages that have seen invaders come and go, but continue to slumber secure in a sense of their own permanence. This is a pleasant land for that memorable walking holiday that mixes in history, flora and fauna, and food and wine. There are plenty of guided easy walks that will place you in the heart of one of the most beautiful places in Italy.

Sunset in Tuscany (Getty Images)

• Best things to do in Tuscany
• Best luxury villas in Tuscany

4. The Corfu Trail, Greece

Snaking across 136 miles, the Corfu Trail presents whitewashed monasteries, golden-sand beaches, juniper forests and vine-swathed hills — in other words, the real Corfu. Amalgamating shorter north and south options, Explore’s guided 15-day tour follows its zig-zagging route north from Kavos and factors in two rest days. Graded as moderate to challenging, it features stays in simple, soulful hotels; most breakfasts and some taverna dinners are included, as are transfers around the Greek island. Choose between dates in spring and autumn.

Kaiser’s Throne observation deck in Pelekas, Corfu (Alamy)

5. The Amalfi coast, Italy

The cluster of celebrities who yacht into the Amalfi coast might make it forbidding if you’re not an A-lister. Don’t despair, rise above it: walking routes criss-cross the hillsides with heart-stopping views over the sun-splintered waters, and in the distance the bejewelled isle of Capri shimmers. Elsewhere, walking routes pass through chestnut woods, scented lemon groves and vineyards. And as you continue on your guided walking holiday, you’re never far from the sea, its many moods glistening in the sun.

Atrani town along the Amalfi coast (Getty Images)

• Best things to do on the Amalfi Coast
• Best hotels on the Amalfi coast

6. Mont Blanc, Switzerland and Italy

Snow-capped peaks, glaciers, green-watered lakes and pretty meadows abound on this one-week circuit from Chamonix, completing most of the Tour du Mont Blanc footpath. Staying in accommodation from historic hotels to remote lodges, you’ll dip into Switzerland and Italy. The altitudes and demanding walking mean four to six weeks’ training is recommended, but luggage transfers reduce the strain and a qualified International Mountain Leader will always be with you. All meals are provided and most departures are in July or August.

The snow-capped peaks of Mont Blanc (Getty Images)

7. Provence, France

In France’s best walking destination, purple lavender fields segue into rolling hills and ancient forests as hilltowns serve vintage Provençal food. Available in May or October, Riviera Travel’s easy, seven-night trip introduces you to all of that, plus the Roman-built Pont du Gard aqueduct, and has walks themed on works by Cézanne and Van Gogh. You’ll even visit the Camargue wetlands, where white wild horses roam. Breakfasts, transfers and flights or Eurostar tickets are included and the four-star spa hotel has a pool.

Purple lavender fields in Provence (Getty Images)

8. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Introducing a trio of Europe’s more under-the-radar spots and running regularly throughout summer, this adventurous but easy Baltic-bound tour pairs national parks with elegant medieval capitals. After learning to bog walk in special shoes while looking for beavers, you’ll inspect 13th-century castles in the “Latvian Switzerland” before walking through pine forests and past giant sand dunes on a 60-mile sandbar. Mid-range hotels provide breakfast each day, and transfers are provided.

Viru Bog in Lahemaa National Park, Estonia (Alamy)

9. Ibiza

Available for a wider window (April to November) than most European walking jaunts, this five-night break introduces walkers to the White Island — but still includes free time for beach-going or clubbing if desired. Based in Santa Eulària des Riu, at a simple hotel below its bright white church complex, you’ll stride along Ibiza’s northerly coastline to Moscarter lighthouse and through lush southeastern forests past the mysterious island of Es Vedra. Each day’s breakfasts and transfers are covered — and you’ll need to be fit.

The island of Es Vedra (Alamy)

10. The Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Based on the far-flung Isle of Harris — reached via a scenic coach journey and two ferries — this Scotland sojourn is designed for the older walker. Expect frequent fine vistas while looping around Scalpay and its lighthouse, rambling along Luskentyre beach’s three miles of sublime sand or goggling the prehistoric Calanais Standing Stones. The four-night tour departs early in April and October, running on a full-board basis.

The Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides (Getty Images)

11. The Camino de Santiago, Spain

You could spend a lifetime on walking tours in Spain. The national park of the Guadarrama mountain range has diverse flora and fauna amid stern-faced outcrops of rock and shaded gatherings of still pines. For easy strolls, try southern Spain and the Alpujarras, where guided walks amble along interlinking mountain paths, above which eagles soar, into hospitable sun-bleached white villages whose olive groves come together as if in conclave. But, the ultimate in Spanish walking trails can be found on the ancient paths of the Camino de Santiago that weave along the coastline.

• Best walking holidays in Spain

12. The Italian lakes

During a guided walk around Lake Maggiore, you’ll discover magnificent gardens and ruined castles; a boat trip then introduces Isola Bella’s baroque palace. Medieval villages give way to grand villas beside glam Lake Como; a minaret tower unexpectedly lines Lake Orta. Also featuring a scenic journey to Switzerland’s pyramidal Matterhorn mountain, this one-week tour provides breakfast and dinner in four-star hotels. Flights, transport and all excursions are also included; most dates are in May, September and October.

Lake Como (Getty Images)

13. The Lycian Way, Turkey

Bronze Age mule tracks and footpaths form Turkey’s long-distance Lycian Way trail. Spend a week hiking the seaside sections of it, stopping en route to admire ancient tombs, Oludeniz’s “Blue Lagoon” and the 11-mile sandy beach at Patara. Moderate fitness is required for some extensive tramps; staying in basic but comfy hotels plus an authentic homestay, the tour provides five breakfasts and all transfers. Suitable for all ages, the tour operates from April to November.

14. Eastern Iceland

In good shape? Leave Iceland’s west to the tourists and spend six days trekking its far wilder east. This is a place of deranged fjords and jaw-dropping waterfalls; along the way you’ll look for elves in Dimmidalur (the Dark Valley), descend to jet-black beaches and traverse lava fields past steaming, belching mud pools. All meals, including home-cooked guesthouse dinners and lunch in local fish restaurants, are covered, as is transport. Travel from late May to September’s first week.

Volcanic Krafla in Dimmuborgir National Park (Alamy)

15. The Lake District, UK

From challenging walks at the Old Man of Coniston to easy strolls taking in the grassy moors and views of Lakeland Fells at Tarn Hows, the stunning Lake District has walking routes to suit all abilities. Whichever path you choose, expect breathtaking scenery, cool and clear lakes and ample wildlife. Avid hikers will enjoy the walk to the top of Helvellyn. It’s 950m tall, so make sure you wear appropriate walking gear and take plenty of breaks as you ascend. Another great route for a sunny day is in the north of the region at Blencathra — also known as Saddleback. The mountain has six peaks with the highest being Hallsfell Top at 868m. The three-to-four hour walk from Thirlmere to Blea Tarn is a harder route but the beautiful surroundings make it worthwhile. If you need to quench your thirst after all the walking, there are pubs along the various walking routes — try Grasmere and Patterdale for the biggest selection.

lakedistrict.gov.uk

• Best walking holidays in the UK
• Best dog-friendly hotels in the Lake District

The Striding Edge ascent to Hellvelyn (Getty Images)

16. Sicily

Ideal for anyone hale and hearty, this gentle, seven-night break focuses on eastern Sicily’s rangy landscapes. Days will be spent rambling along densely vegetated Nebrodi National Park paths, pausing at Pantalica’s gorge-set necropolis or climbing pumice-strewn flanks of ever-active Mount Etna. There’s time too for a visit to the Aeolian Islands and for the giant Greek theatres in Syracuse and Taormina. All transfers and B&B in a family-run hotel near the beach are part of the price; trips run in May, September and October.

explore.co.uk

The Greek Theatre in Taormina, Sicily (Getty Images)

17. Germany

When Germans crave waldeinsamkeit, the feeling of being at one with nature, they go to the Black Forest in the country’s southwest. This is a land of enchanting meadows, fairytale villages and picnic basket lunches in Red Riding Hood forests. Medieval Triberg is home to a trail through the evergreens to the Triberg Waterfalls, the highest cascade in Germany, while the long-distance West, Central and East Trails are fast-tracks to the rejuvenating joys of these astonishing forest lands. There are an overwhelming 15,000 miles of waymarked walking paths here. As an added calorie-burning bonus, they’re the perfect tonic for guilt-free portions of Black Forest gateau, available in every village.

schwarzwald-tourismus.info

Durbach in the Black Forest (Alamy)

18. Sweden

Got your Fjallraven outdoor gear ready? Then it’s off to Sweden’s Baltic Coast for the High Coast Trail overlooking the Gulf of Bothnia for one of Scandinavia’s landmark trails. This is where you’ll find the world’s highest coastline — peaking at 286m — and the 80-mile south-to-north route delivers a succession of forest paths overlooking rocky shores, shingle beaches and ancient seabeds. Start in Hornoberget overlooking the High Coast Bridge, linger in Skuleskogen National Park, and finish with fika (Sweden’s ubiquitous coffee and cake) in Ornskoldsvik.

hogakusten.com/en

Sunrise in Skuleskogen National Park (Getty Images)

19. Austria

Stunning Austria has hills and mountain ranges alive with the promise of both easy and challenging walking holidays. A guided walking tour high in the Alps perhaps, where the air is as clear as the voices of the Vienna Boys’ Choir? Or a walking route alongside the restless Danube as it tumbles and flows through the Wachau Valley? Don’t forget the Tyrol, dotted with picture-book villages, magnificent mountain ranges and deep wooded valleys, either.

austria.info/en

Heiligenblut Church at the start of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria (Getty Images)

20. Greece

The landscape of Greece pulsates with history and mythology, making a walking holiday feel like you’re following in the footsteps of gods and monsters. The centaurs, for instance, inhabited the unspoilt Zagori region, near Albania. Spend a holiday on challenging walks through a rugged mountainous land, where monasteries perch on rocks and tavernas in ancient villages offer an easy welcome. How about island-hopping on guided walking holidays, passing venerable olive groves and taking easy walks along mountain paths with the wine-dark waters of the Aegean or the Mediterranean below?

visitgreece.gr

The Monastery of the Holy Trinity overlooking the town of Kalabaka in central Greece (Getty Images)

21. Portugal

There is much more to Portugal than Lisbon and Porto, as guided walking holidays will show. Is that the howl of a lonely wolf as you cut through the ruggedly beautiful landscape of the Peneda-Geres National Park in the north? Meanwhile, briny sea breezes accompany easy walks in the Algarve that avoid the beach worshippers and, in the southern Alentejo region, guided walks reveal cork trees and olive groves standing like sentinels amid Insta-perfect images of castles and hilltop villages.

visitportugal.com/en

• Best holiday villas in Portugal
• Best tours of Portugal: trips from Lisbon to the Algarve

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