Discover walking holiday's in Europe and uncover its secrets

All Inntravel European walking holidays are self-guided, with luggage transfers and other arrangements such as hotel reservations taken care of. Armed with our meticulously researched route notes that guide you from A to B, you have complete freedom to explore your chosen European destination. You can set off at a time that suits you, and pause as often as you like – the route notes give you the lowdown on the places of interest that you pass, and point out any worthwhile detours to viewpoints and monuments. They even include recommendations for lunch.

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Choosing a European walking destination

Where you choose for your European walking holiday depends on several factors. Ask yourself what sort of scenery you’re looking for. Do you prefer mountains and lakes, coastal scenery, or hills? Would you like to discover a well-known region or a secret gem? Also consider if you’d like your holiday to be about more than just walking. Greece is a great choice if you love ancient history. If your passion is wine, head to a vineyard region such as Alsace in France, or if you’re a keen birdwatcher, the Pyrenees and Andalucian mountains, among many others, offer the chance to see a wide variety of birds.

The time of year is another important consideration. If you are travelling between April and June or September and October, you have a very wide choice, but we’d recommend the Alps, Norway or the Azores if you want to travel in high summer. In winter and early spring, head to southern Spain, the Canary Islands, or Mediterranean islands such as Gozo and Cyprus.

Austria >

Germany >

Malta & Gozo >

Slovenia >

Croatia >

Greece >

Norway >

Spain >

Cyprus >

Italy >

Portugal >

Switzerland >

France >

What is the accommodation like?

The accommodation varies from destination to destination and, to some extent, from holiday to holiday. Some feature only 4-star hotels, others take advantage of special accommodation unique to the area, such as the masserie (ancient farmsteads) of Puglia in Italy or the converted fishermen’s cottages of northern Norway, and many more offer a mix of accommodation, including agriturismos (working farms) and high-quality hotels. What you choose will depend on your preferences and your budget.

What to pack

What you should pack for your walking holiday depends on where in Europe you are visiting.

Coastal & low-lying regions

You’ll be able to walk in shorts and a t-shirt for much of the season, but we’d still recommend taking a pair of lightweight walking trousers – or, better still, trousers that convert into shorts – so that you have the option of covering up your legs to prevent them from scratches from undergrowth. As regards footwear, don’t feel you have to wear walking boots just because it’s a walking holiday: if you have chosen an easier walking holiday on good paths a walking shoe will be sufficient. Finally, a wide-brimmed hat will provide protection from the sun.
Mountains & Northern Europe

The best advice for mountainous and northern regions is to take a good choice of layers. If you pack a variety of t-shirts, long-sleeve-but-lightweight tops, plus a fleece or two, you’ll have the flexibility to adapt to the weather. Convertible walking trousers are a great option for your lower half. Fast-wicking fabrics are best, as they wick away sweat and are easy to wash and dry if needed. For your feet, we recommend walking boots, as these provide ankle support over rough terrain and keep your feet drier if it rains.
General tips for all destinations

Wherever you choose, be prepared for all eventualities. Even if you are heading to southern Europe in the height of summer, pack a fleece in case it’s unseasonably cool. Similarly, if you are heading to the mountains, be sure to take a t-shirt in case it’s warmer than you’re expecting. Wherever you go, don’t forget a good waterproof coat, a pair of waterproof trousers and some sun cream! Our final piece of advice relates to footwear: if you have bought new walking boots or shoes, break them in before your trip to avoid blisters.

The best walking holidays in Europe for beginners

Along the Catalan Coast (grade 1 – easy)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for beginners: both the walking and the navigation are easy

The beautiful coastline, delicious seafood, and warm Mediterranean climate are three very good reasons to choose this holiday. Walking on good paths, you’ll find the navigation is easy – keep the sea on your right! – and the routes are short enough that you can pause for frequent dips in the sea. View our walking holiday on the Catalan Coast >
Châteaux of the Loire (grade 1 – easy)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for beginners: the walking is leisurely, and there’s plenty of cultural interest

If you’re not sure that a walking holiday is for you, this is a good choice because it’s about so much more than just walking. There is a different château to visit virtually every day – one of our favourites is turreted Azay-le-Rideau – and there are opportunities for wine tasting, too. View our walking holiday in the Loire >
A Swiss Stroll (grade 1 – easy)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for beginners: despite the walking being easy, the scenery is incredible

You may think that ‘easy mountain walking’ is an oxymoron, but that’s not the case. Our formula is simple: let trains, cable cars or gondolas whisk you to great heights, then follow wide, well-signposted trails at the top, enjoying inspirational views of mighty peaks and glistening lakes. View our easy walking holiday in Switzerland >
Mountains & Villages of Mallorca (grades 1 & 2 – easy & moderate)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for beginners: there is a choice of easy or moderate routes

It can be hard to know what level to choose for your first walking holiday. This holiday removes the dilemma, because there is a choice of routes. It’s not just this flexibility which gives the holiday such a wide appeal, however – the scenery is glorious, the villages picturesque and the accommodation charming. View our walking holiday in Mallorca >

The best walking holidays in Europe for solo travellers

An Alpine Stroll (grade 1 – easy)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for solo travellers: well-waymarked trails frequented by other walkers

This being the Austrian Tyrol, the views are sublime despite the walking being decidedly leisurely. You can relax and enjoy the vistas knowing that the paths have good waymarking and are frequented by other walkers, and that your hosts at the excellent Milderer Hof ‘look out for’ for their guests. View our walking holiday in the Austrian Tyrol >
Camino de Santiago, The Old Way (grade 2 – moderate)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for solo travellers: the camaraderie

The Variante Espiritual (Spiritual Variant) of the Portuguese Way that approaches Santiago de Compostela from the south is a quieter camino, but you’ll still encounter other pilgrims, and it’s the camaraderie of fellow walkers, along with the friendliness of the hotels and eateries along the route, that make this a good choice. View our Camino de Santiago walking holiday >
Alicante’s Rugged Mountains (grade 2 – moderate)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for solo travellers: these mountains are a great place to get away from it all

These are decidedly secret mountains, despite their proximity to the Costa Blanca, making them perfect if you are looking for some alone time amid dramatic scenery. Besides the varied, scenic walking, this holiday is highly praised for its hospitality – the first two hotels take particularly good care of guests. View our walking holiday in Alicante >
Life in an Alpujarran Village (grades 1 & 2 – easy & moderate)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for solo travellers: you are based at a very welcoming hotel run by ex-pats

This is another holiday which offers a mix of alone time as you walk in beautiful mountain scenery combined with a hotel where you’ll be well looked after by your hosts. You needn’t worry about language barriers, either, as David and Emma are Brits who settled in Las Alpujarras after falling in love with this timeless region. View our walking holiday in the Alpujarras >

The best walking holidays in Europe for foodies

To the Pont du Gard (grade 1-2 – easy-to-moderate)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for foodies: it is one of our most gastronomic holidays

Enjoyable as the walks across the herb-clad hills of southern France are, this holiday is essentially a celebration of French cuisine. As you stroll through carpets of thyme en route to the magnificent Roman aqueduct over the River Gardon, the thought dominating your mind is likely to be what culinary delights await you next. View our Pont du Gard walking holiday >
A Walk in the Black Forest (grade 2 – moderate)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for foodies: the light, refined dishes feature local produce

The Black Forest’s excellent cuisine owes a lot to its proximity to Alsace, another fantastic choice for food-lovers. Menus feature game, river fish, nuts, wild mushrooms, berries and herbs from the forest, which is considered by Germans to be one of the best areas for walking in the whole country. View our Black Forest walking holiday >
Treasures of Aracena (grade 1-2 – easy-to-moderate)

Why it features in our list of best walking holidays in Europe for foodies: the light, refined dishes feature local produce

The Aracena Sierra is a favourite weekend retreat for those living in nearby Seville. They come not only for the tranquillity, but for the food: the air-cured ham is delicious, and seemingly every village has a small restaurant serving authentic dishes packed full of flavours. These villages also hide some surprising architectural treasures, making for an interesting and varied walking holiday. View our walking holiday in southern Spain >

Discover the Joy of Walking in Europe

Discover the Joy of Walking in Europe

Discover the Joy of Walking in Europe

Discover the Joy of Walking in Europe

Discover walking holiday's in Europe and uncover its secrets

Walking in Europe with Inntravel

Choosing a European walking destination

What is the accommodation like?

What to pack

Coastal & low-lying regions

Mountains & Northern Europe

General tips for all destinations

The best walking holidays in Europe for beginners

Along the Catalan Coast (grade 1 – easy)

Châteaux of the Loire (grade 1 – easy)

A Swiss Stroll (grade 1 – easy)

Mountains & Villages of Mallorca (grades 1 & 2 – easy & moderate)

The best walking holidays in Europe for solo travellers

An Alpine Stroll (grade 1 – easy)

Camino de Santiago, The Old Way (grade 2 – moderate)

Alicante’s Rugged Mountains (grade 2 – moderate)

Life in an Alpujarran Village (grades 1 & 2 – easy & moderate)

The best walking holidays in Europe for foodies

To the Pont du Gard (grade 1-2 – easy-to-moderate)

A Walk in the Black Forest (grade 2 – moderate)

Treasures of Aracena (grade 1-2 – easy-to-moderate)