There are many ways to explore the Dolomites – the dramatic, jagged peaks that graze the skies of north-east Italy. Few Dolomite experiences, however, are quite as relaxing as this holiday. With a week in Val Gardena, you are ideally placed to discover both the bucolic valleys and high mountain landscapes of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Located in an idyllic village of cobbled streets and frescoed houses, the centuries-old Hotel Meisser makes a charming base for this single-centre walking holiday. Five guided walks with an experienced guide are included, along with detailed self-guided route notes and a local travel pass.

In one of Europe’s most iconic landscapes, it can be hard to find a quiet corner. But here, in sunny South Tyrol, amid fruit orchards and tranquil hamlets, a network of little-trodden paths lead you between superb hotels to rewarding views of the Dolomite massif.

West of the delightful city of Innsbruck, the dramatic, jagged peaks of the Wetterstein chain mark the border between Austria and Bavaria. Below, tranquil, fertile valleys wind down to meet the River Inn, of which the most picturesque is Leutaschtal. Exploring here, not only will you have the chance to strike out into the high mountains, but you will also experience the very best of the hospitality for which the Tyrol is renowned.

The Apennines, stretching from Liguria to Umbria, offer some of the country’s best walking. Our chosen area is the Alto Appennino Bolognese between the great cities of Florence and Bologna, where the terrain is mountainous, forested, and beautiful. Enthusiastically hosted with excellent food, this is a highly acclaimed experience in a remote corner of Italy.

Explore some of Switzerland’s most glorious scenery on this exhilarating walking holiday. With a plethora of great routes, all featuring magnificent Alpine views, the Bernese Oberland is justly famed as the most dramatic region of Switzerland, offering an unrivalled walking experience.

Maybe you will come for the early warmth of southern Spain. Perhaps for the glistening white villages and their Berber history. Or for the rhythms of traditional Andalucian life. But for many, it is the profound natural beauty of this silver sierra that appeals – its lush interior and calm spaces reached solely on foot.

The Dolomites are often called the most beautiful of the Alpine range, with jagged summits pointing like fingers skyward. The dramatic peaks shelter traditional villages, tranquil forests, and superb wildflower meadows. Stay in high-quality hotels and enjoy excellent Tyrolean and Italian cuisine.

This walking holiday, on which you stay at a variety of welcoming hotels, takes you to the shores of glittering Dolomite lakes and into the heart of the region’s celebrated ‘Three Peaks’ – an absolute treat. The views, of a thickly forested Alpine ridge to the north and the snaggle-toothed granite peaks of the Sesto and Braies Dolomites to the south, are simply mesmerising.

Embark on a leisurely walking holiday in the shadow of the mighty Dachstein, amid Salzkammergut’s magnificent lake and mountain scenery. Discover enchanting Alpine villages, including iconic Hallstatt, in a region filled with tradition, where Lederhosen and Dirndls are still worn, and typical local fare can be savoured.

Experience Senja, second largest of Norway’s islands and full of extraordinary natural beauty. From mountains to moorland and pristine sandy beaches to incomparable viewpoints, this flexible, self-guided walking holiday reveals astonishing scenery.

In the whole Alpine region, no ridge of mountains can boast such romance as the awe-inspiring peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Following paths recognised for their outstanding vistas, the route is among the most challenging in our selection, though the magnificent panoramas also make it one of our most rewarding.