Walkingholidays.
Curated, self-guided and small-group walking holidays across the UK and Europe. Long-distance trails, gentle coastal paths, mountain routes. Bags transferred, routes book in hand.
The slowest of all the paces — and the one that makes every other detail come into focus. Our pick: any trip where nobody carries their own bags.
Showing 9 of 77 holidays.
Walking holidays by country.
Cluster your browsing. All 77 walking holidays, grouped by where they go.
A walking holiday is not a walking holiday is not a walking holiday.
Four questions that'll narrow 77 options to three, in under a minute.
Most of our walking holidays are self-guided — you walk at your own pace with a route book, and meet other walkers only at breakfast. Some are small-group (a guide and up to a dozen walkers). Self-guided is cheaper and quieter. Guided is better if you don't want to navigate.
A week gets you deep into one region. Two weeks lets you walk a proper route that has a beginning and an end — like Siena to the Mediterranean. Check the day-by-day before booking: some routes are linear, some are star-walks based in one town.
We list the operator's own grade — easy, moderate, or challenging. Easy: flat valleys, canal paths, 10-12km days. Moderate: rolling hills, 12-18km, some climbs. Challenging: mountain routes, 18-25km. Pick honestly — tired legs ruin a trip faster than rain.
Mediterranean routes (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece) are best April-June and September. Northern European (UK, Ireland, Alps) are best May-September. Each holiday page has a monthly chart showing temperature, rainfall, and whether the operator runs that month.
About walking holidays in general.
These cover the whole category. For questions about a specific trip, see that listing's page.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.