The best European walking holidays I recommend in 2026

Stay in several locations, with guided day walks in each location. An ideal way to explore a wider region, often with time to settle into your selected stays. Stay in one location and explore the surrounding area on foot, with a series of day walks.

NEW ROUTE!

• This is a great chance to experience the local culture and explore under your own steam.
• HF Holidays members save an additional £30pp on all UK holidays, £50pp on all European holidays and £80pp on all worldwide departures.
• No matter your ability, we have a guided walking holiday to suit you.
• Wander through fairy-tale Alsatian villages, surrounded by rolling vineyards as far as the eye can see.
• Expect well-paced routes, knowledgeable local guides, and a more personal travel experience away from the crowds.
• Exceptional memories and experiences lie at the heart of everything we do.

From couples to families and groups to solo adventurers, there’s something for everyone. And as a co-operative, all profits are reinvested to improve your holiday experience, year after year. As Britain’s leading walking holiday co-operative, we’re committed to creating meaningful connections through shared experiences in the great outdoors. Head to the Greek Islands of Lefkas and Meganisi for raw beauty, olive groves, waterfalls, quiet mountain trails and villages, where cobbled streets lead to stone houses and local tavernas. Accommodation is the small, family-run Hotel Regina Elena in the village of Caderzone Terme – a central spot to explore from.

Start by asking yourself what you’re looking to get out of your walking holiday. Where would you like to go, and what you would like to see? How far do you want to walk each day, and at what level of intensity? Our travel experts are on hand to answer any questions and can help you settle on the walking holiday that’s just right for you. To help you better understand which of our walking holidays is right for you, we’ve assigned grades to each one. You’ll find them event catering Hampshire on each of the individual holiday pages.

We walked the well marked trails from Bacharach to Koblenz following On Foot’s directions, using both their printed information and their app. The accommodations were excellent with friendly and helpful staff. Our On Foot local contact kept in touch with lots of encouragement.

What are the accommodation standards like?

Our communication with On Foot was excellent from the very first time I got in touch with them. Everything was organised in a highly professional yet personal way, which made us feel well looked after throughout the planning process. Whenever we needed information or had to provide details about our trip, the communication was prompt, clear, and reassuring. On an Inghams walking holiday you have the freedom to choose your day-to-day plans. No set itinerary, no distances you must do daily to reach your next hotel – you can walk as much as you want and holiday as much as you want. However easy you choose to take it – you’ll get award-winning service and Destination Experts who can recommend everything from the best routes to the best fondues.

If you’ve chosen one of our hotel-to-hotel walking holidays, we will transport all your luggage for you, so you’re not having to carry it around. All you’ll need to carry on your walk is what you will need during the day, including your navigation and any food and drink. Most walking holidays include accommodation, an expert tour leader, all in-country transport and guided walks, plus some meals. From travelling with our expert local guides to group sizes, fitness levels and accommodation, this is everything you need to know. No matter your ability, we have a guided walking holiday to suit you.

Ideal if you prefer to unpack once and enjoy a mix of walking and downtime. This three-day weekend trip from Ramble Worldwide is new for 2026, and is based in the picturesque town of Lanjarón. Our surplus profits are channelled into outdoor charities, conservation projects, and walking initiatives throughout the UK, as well as supporting the local communities we visit around the world. This means that every step you take on your trekking holiday gives back. We’re walking holiday specialists with a rich history of expertise built up from over 75 years’ experience.

It was wonderful to be able to explore this quiet, semi-montane area with confidence. We loved the varied walking paths, from a broad track through tall conifers along the River Teign, walking near wild horses while climbing up various unique Tor… The luggage moved seamlessly and the hotel bookings just happened.

Private guided walking holidays will be just you and your party plus a local expert guide who will lead the navigation. Group Guided walking holidays will have More details a local expert guide as well as up to 16 like-minded individuals. Self-guided walking holidays by our sister company Headwater give the freedom to explore a carefully designed route at your own pace.

Our 300 walking tour itineraries worldwide curated into four Collections to suit different tastes. Very well organized, responsive, easy to communicate with. They also provided us with a local contact for questions/problems who was very helpful. This was a stimulating, alluring and well-supported exploration of southern England.

For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see travelaware.campaign.gov.uk. Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting For further information, please visit our Travel Aware page. Visit Madeira for its famous garden blooms and nature. Explore Slovenia with places like Lake Bled and Kranjska Gora for scenic views. Or simply take a moment to appreciate the serene beauty of Lake Annecy in France. Hike through the majestic Alps in places such as Zermatt, Switzerland, Seefeld, Austria, Chamonix and Zell am See.

Follow new trails at Connemara National Park and on the west coast of Ireland. The country’s second oldest national park has been undergoing a major expansion and upgrade project, which aims to increase in size by more than 12 per cent and double the network of walking trails. This eight-day walking holiday by Explore in Triglav National Park is full of natural wonders, big vistas and traditional farming villages. It takes in the Julian Alps, Lake Bohinj – Slovenia’s largest glacial lake – and Savica Waterfall in the walls of the Komarca Gorge.