Guided Hiking Tours in Europe

Want to challenge yourself a little and not just see the landscapes of Europe, but feel them under your feet as you follow dramatic coastlines, ascend mountains, and crunch through icy wonderlands? Guided hiking tours in Europe showcase some of the best scenery you’ll find, as well as taking you through charming towns and quaint villages along the way. Here are some of the trails you can experience on foot in Europe.

Walking the Camino

The Camino is a pilgrimage walk that draws travellers along paths in France, Portugal and Spain, all coming together at the finishing point of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Pilgrims have converged here since the tomb of St James was unearthed in the 9^th century and now the paths draw travellers from near and far to complete either all or part of the trails. There are tours that cover the last 100 kilometres (62 miles) of the Camino in eight days, winding through the charming villages and pretty countryside en route to the lively Santiago de Compostela. This can be undertaken on a small group tour or as a self-guided journey along the Camino, both rewarding you with a sense of exploration and camaraderie on one of the most popular trails in Europe.

Active Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is made up of a string of five fishing villages hugging the coastline of northwest Italy. Their colourful buildings are terraced into the dramatic cliff faces and the undulating terrain peeling away from the waves. Walking tracks have been carved into the landscape by hikers treading the scenic route between the villages, and a rail network connects these colourful hearts of the Cinque Terre like arteries spiderwebbing between them. You can walk the Cinque Terre over eight days with Peregrine, meandering past the rolling vineyards and citrus groves juxtaposed by the vast blue sea. If you are after all things adventure, then Intrepid offer an itinerary that will see you hike, bike and kayak Cinque Terre. Don’t forget to try some gelato at each of the five villages along the way to reward yourself for a day hiking the stunning trails (not that you need an excuse!).

Hiking Mont Blanc

Explore the ceiling of Europe as you tackle Mont Blanc, straddling the border of France, Italy and Switzerland. The hikes of Mont Blanc start and finish in the alpine village of Chamonix where you can fill up on some traditional fare (cheese fondue anyone?) before heading off into the surrounding peaks. Itineraries differ and vary in intensity, however, you’ll be dazzled by the views of the steep valleys, mountain passes and alpine meadows along the way. The town of Courmayeur is the perfect base to rest your legs and try the local day spa, or if you are still craving some action, opt to go mountain biking or hit the surrounding trails on foot.

G Adventures’ 10 Day Trekking Mont Blanc is a backpacking trekking trip that will see you get yourself around the Alps under your own steam, accompanied every step of the way by a Chief Experience Officer. You’ll hike your way through the mountain ranges and past glacial lakes, constantly rewarded with sweeping views and stunning scenery. You’ll carry your own pack through a remote rugged landscape and hike at high altitudes, so it is important you are a confident walker on mountain terrain and have a very good level of fitness to get the most out of this incredible journey. The 8 Day Mont Blanc Explorer itinerary is a little less demanding, with transport by coach between destinations and day hikes from each of these bases. All you’ll need to do is throw on your day pack and have your camera at the ready – it will be worth it!

Trekking Iceland

The landscapes of Iceland are breathtaking, and what better way to explore them than to strap on your hiking shoes and go places uninterrupted by anything other than foot traffic. Trek the Laugavegur Trail from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, passing multi-coloured slopes, ice caves, glaciers, crystal clear rivers, and fields of flowers along the way. You’ll camp in the wilderness, sit under the stars and wake up completely surrounded by nature. The designated camp sites have basic facilities such as toilets and showers on offer, and at the Landmannalaugar camp there are even hot springs to make your experience more comfortable. Your trek will take you through the mountains to the serene Lake Alftavatn and past the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, just some of nature’s masterpieces to admire during your hike through the Icelandic countryside.

Norway Fjord Trekking

Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings as you traverse the stunning fjordlands of Norway. Surrounded by towering peaks, glistening glaciers, and mountainsides adorned with every colour of greenery, you won’t know where to look! Odda will be your base nestled in the heart of the fjords from where you will explore the surrounding wonders of nature, and perhaps bike and kayak the wilderness nearby. Oddadalen, also known as the Valley of Waterfalls, will showcase walls of crystal clear water cascading through wooded ravines and Buer Glacier will take your breath away as you head out onto the ice. A full day hike to Trolltunga will charm and challenge you, ultimately rewarding your efforts with sweeping views of Ringedalsvatnet Lake below. If you need a reason to strap on your hiking shoes on holidays, trekking the Norwegian fjords is it.

Morocco on Foot

Morocco is a country with a depth of culture and a breadth of landscapes, with Mt Toubkal towering over them all. The highest peak in Northern Africa offers sweeping views of the Atlas range as a reward for ascending this challenging summit, which you can do on the 8 Day Mount Toubkal Trek. This trip will see you pass through traditional Berber villages, deep valleys, and rough terrain as you zigzag your way up the mountainside. To get more of an insight into the Berber life in Morocco, you can spend 8 days walking with Berber nomads and connecting with the local people. You’ll join a Berber family as they follow a 4000-year-old route through the Altas Mountains, teaching you the traditional nomadic ways along the way. Help assemble and pack up your moving camp each day, learn to bake bread and share delicious Moroccan meals with the Ait Atta tribespeople, and help with the daily chores like tending to the animal herds and milking the goats. Both these active explorations of Morocco start and finish in Marrakech, so in contrast to the fresh air, you’ll also enjoy the aromas of bustling spice markets and the kaleidoscope of sights and sounds that make up this lively city what it is today.

Go on, break out the passport and break in those walking shoes. Adventure is calling.