Yahoo Finance 15 stunning walking holidays in Europe for 2022
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15 stunning walking holidays in Europe for 2022
Looking for an escape that's more than just a fly-and-flop getaway for 2022? A walking holiday is just the ticket. Searches for 'experience' getaways are on the rise, with more of us looking to get back to nature and soak up the beautiful scenery around us – while simultaneously working off that extra holiday food.
Whether you're looking to traverse high peaks in the Alps, take gentle strolls past flower-filled meadows in Austria, go sightseeing and strolling on the Amalfi Coast, explore rugged coastlines in Portugal's 'Wild West', or enjoy coastal landscapes in Croatia, we've got you covered.
Scroll through to discover our round-up of the best walking holidays in Europe. Go on, take a hike!
Trailfinders - 2/16
Costa Brava, Spain
See another side of Spain on a fantastic European walking holiday, where you'll get to know the old town of Roses on the Costa Brava, take in the wild, scenic beauty of the Cap de Creus National Park and ride the Roses Express, a charming little road train.
The eight-day walking holiday combines Spain with France, so you'll also ride the iconic Yellow Train of the Pyrenees, soak up the views of the Aude Valley and embark on a leisurely walk to see the rich and diverse flora and fauna of the Vall de Nuria.
VW Pics - Getty Images - 3/16
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Ciao, Italy! Discover the delights of Ravello, Positano and Sorrento at a leisurely pace – view the bay from the heights of the Path of the Gods above Positano, explore Pompeii and Vesuvius, meander past the olive farms and lemon groves of this dramatic countryside and explore some of the elegant coastal villages.
Over eight days you’ll cover miles of footpaths while stopping in gorgeous locations and tasting some wine along the way.
Jimmy69 - Getty Images - 4/16
Picos de Europa, Spain
Walk across flower-carpeted meadows, explore traditional local villages (tasting cider fresh from the barrel), and discover dramatic coastal footpaths in the Liebana Valley of the Picos de Europa – perfect for inquisitive, adventurous travellers.
During the eight-day self-guided walk, you'll also spend two days in the company of a Pura Aventura guide to take you to places you might not otherwise reach. Sample cheese at the Cangas market, tackle the winding narrow roads of the Hermida Gorge, and ride on the cable car at Fuente Dé, where, with a peak of 1,000 metres, there's Instagram photo opps aplenty.
Pura Aventura - 5/16
Lake Constance, Germany
Head off on a self-guided tour that combines easy walking and far-reaching views over Europe’s third-largest lake. Discover gardens, churches, museums, and stately towns on the shores of Lake Constance (known by locals as Bodensee), and immerse yourself in local culture.
The tour starts in Bodman, and you'll cover between 7.5 to 10km of distance on foot (and by boat) every day through Uberlingen, Sipplingen, over to Mainau and Konstanz, and a visit to Reichenau, a UNESCO world heritage site where you can explore a botanic island steeped in monastic history. Mainau Island, also known as ‘Flower Island', is made up of 45-hectares of landscaped gardens with thousands of blooms, and includes Germany’s second-largest butterfly house. Pretty, picturesque and a little bit different.
Inn Travel - 6/16
The Arctic Island of Senja, Norway
Adventurous hiker? This is for you. Far above the Arctic Circle, and far quieter than the Lofotens to the south – but with views to rival it – Senja is the second largest of Norway’s coastal islands. Among its soaring peaks, sandy beaches and colourful fishing villages is incomparable hill walking for the daring.
On this walking holiday, you'll be treated to breathtaking views while being based at charming waterside locations.
See one of the island’s oldest communities in Mefjordvær, where there are diverse walks from the hotel door, and visit Hamn i Senja, a picture-perfect harbour, where a highlight the route through the beautiful Kaperdalen on the edge of the Anderdalen National Park.
InnTravel - 7/16
Cinque Terre, Italy
Make like an A-lister and head to Liguria for a walking holiday on the Italian Riviera. This self-guided hiking tour offers you the chance to discover some of the most scenic and picturesque walks in Italy, at your own pace, with the help of an itinerary, detailed maps and transport tickets.
Experience the scenic walk to Framura, take in the timeless elegance of the town of Deiva Marina and visit the Cinque Terre village of Monterosso al Mare.
Wander through lush olive groves, pinewood forests, cobbled walkways through historic villages and rugged coastlines treating you to staggering views.
Inghams - 8/16
The Corfu Trail, Corfu
Thought Corfu was just a fly-and-flop destination? Think again! Head away from the coastal tourist hubs and take in The Corfu Trail – an itinerant route spanning 200km in total through over one hundred traditional villages, ancient manor houses, byzantine monasteries and welcoming quayside tavernas.
This 10-day itinerary goes from the mountainous north to the rolling landscapes of the south - travelling from taverna to taverna! You'll take in olive groves, high-peaked mountains, woodland, beaches and undiscovered inland villages where tourists are still a rarity. Bliss.
The walking is moderate to demanding with between 15-20km per day. It offers the chance to climb Corfu's second highest peak, Agii Deka (576 metres) and visit the Monastery of Pantokrator.
Walks Worldwide - 9/16
Wicklow Way, Ireland
Running from Dublin’s southern suburbs through the entirety of County Wicklow, the Wicklow Way is one of Ireland’s best long-distance paths, taking in forests and heathery hills with a backdrop of fascinating historic sites.
On this week-long trip, guided walkers take you to: Glendalough, a spectacular valley home, where you'll find a ruined monastic city; the thundering Powerscourt Waterfall, the tallest in the area; Lough Tay, known as the ‘Guinness Lake’ thanks to the darkness of its waters next to the white sand beach; and a historical walking tour of Dublin. The perfect way to work off all that Guinness...
WIlderness Ireland - 10/16
La Palma, Spain
Move over Lanzarote and Tenerife, the lesser known Canary Island, La Palma, offers the ideal setting to experience a tropical and relaxing walking holiday.
Renowned for its impressive landscapes, offering 706 square kilometres of lush scenery with a network of more than 1,000 kilometres of marked trails, La Palma is the perfect hotspot for hikers and thrillseekers in search of an off-the-beaten-track destination that caters to all levels.
Dominic Dähncke/Sherpa expiditions - 11/16
Dalmatia, Croatia
The idyllic coast of Dalmatia is well known for relaxing beach breaks, but the walking trails are spectacular and often uncrowded. Scale dramatic peaks, walk in peaceful forests and discover the coastal landscapes on this breathtaking walking holiday.
Set off from Dubrovnik and take in beautiful mountain vistas peppered with dips in the Adriatic Sea. You'll visit national parks, see cascading waterfalls and visit beautiful old towns like Split. Can we come, too?
Trailfinders - 12/16
The Lake District, UK
Want to stay a bit closer to home? Remote and unspoilt, set against a tranquil area of dramatic fells, farms and woodland, Hassness Country House in Buttermere is an ideal spot to soak up the English summer and set off on some of the country’s best walks, with one of the best round-the-lake routes in the Lake District right on the doorstep.
Walking amongst the Wainwrights – the 214 fells listed in the iconic pictorial guides to the hills and the mountains by Alfred Wainwright, it caters to all levels of fitness, ranging from ambles around the valley floor and its three lakes, Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater, to adventurous high peak challenges on the summits and ridges of the Western Fells.
Ramblers Holidays - 13/16
Mayrhofen, Austria
Mayrhofen is as Alpine as Austria gets and this guided walking holiday in the Zillertal Alps lets you experience the mountains in traditional style. It has everything you could hope for when it comes to summer walking: shapely peaks, good paths and a range of strolling routes for all abilities at low level, and higher paths to explore the slopes, pastures and peaks. There's even summer cable cars to enable a head start to the summits.
Highlights? Marvel at glaciers and snow-capped mountains from the huge Schlegeis Dam; climb to the stately Olpererhutte for a high traverse below the Tux Ridge; visit the historic city of Innsbruck or take the narrow gauge cog railway to Achensee Lake on your free day. Sounds amazing!HF Holidays - 14/16
The Svaneti Highlands, Georgia
Take a hike to the finest alpine landscape you’ve never heard of: Georgia’s Svaneti Region. Higher than the Alps, its largely intact ancient culture boasts links to Queen Tamar and the Kingdom of Colchis.
Visit the highest inhabited village in Europe, trek through rural landscapes and stay with local families along the way. The Svaneti region boasts wow-factor vistas and a sense of untouched seclusion. Hike from village to village, from Mestia to the Shkhara glacier, where you'll pass through flower-covered valleys, tranquil lakes and deep gorges, all in view of the ice-topped Caucasus mountains.
Travel Local - 15/16
Alpe d'Huez, France
Take a self-guided walking holiday through the stunning Alpine beauty of Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine Ski. Whilst famed for its ’21 bends’, the route taken by Tour de France competitors through the years, a summer trip to Alpe d’Huez offers a decidedly more serene ascent of the mountain via a hike through the rich green tree line.
A 30-minute walk through the mountains will take you to beautiful swimming lakes, while purchasing a summer lift pass allows you to explore a greater range of hiking routes, the majority of which are well signposted and maintained despite their secluded nature. Trails through the Ecrins National Park show off the region’s rich biodiversity, with the park being home to a number of protected species. Magnifique!
VIP Chalets - 16/16
Sagres Peninsula, Portugal
Far beyond the 'developed' Algarve in Portugal's most southerly Atlantic corner, lies the Sagres Peninsula, a startlingly pristine region of golden beaches, imposing cliffs, swaying flower meadows, dramatic coastlines and tree-lined paths. Get a warm welcome from locals and an insight into rural life.
Bird enthusiasts will love this trip, with endemic and migratory species passing through from Africa and Northern Europe.
Easy-to-follow trails take in rich verdant valleys, pine forests and rugged coastlines, making exploring on foot really rewarding. Go from the fishermen's village of Carrapateira along the Rota Vicentina, a national trail interlinking with the Fishermen's Trail that starts in the Alentejo. It hugs beaches and cliffs all the way to Cabo de Sao Vicente, the farthest flung corner of Europe. Feast on local cuisine and Portuguese wines along the way.
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