Trekking, Hiking & Walking Holidays

Add this to your wishlist

Inca Trail

The Inca Trail

• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Duration: Four days
• Max elevation: 4,215 metres (13,828 ft)
• Accommodation: Camping
• Start/end point: KM82 to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail is easily the most famous of all the Peru treks. Since it first opened, it’s been included in every roundup of the world’s best trekking routes, and for good reason. There’s something profoundly magical about making this pilgrimage, as the Inca once did from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

Only on this classic route can you actually arrive at the famous ruins on foot. For any of the so-called alternative treks, the route will finish at a different point, and you’ll arrive in Machu Picchu via train to Aguas Calientes.

Although you’ll certainly see your share of stunning landscapes as you head from the mountains to the high jungle, this trek is particularly known for its stop-offs at numerous Inca sites along the way. While you’ll be sharing the path with a great number of other tourists, porters, cooks, and guides, you can still snatch some private moments to take in the scenery, not to mention the history, of the trail.

Add this to your wishlist

Annapurna Region

Annapurna Sanctuary trek

• Best trek for: The most popular Annapurna trek
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Trek duration: 10 days
• Max. elevation: 4,130m
• Accommodation: Trekking lodges
• Start/end point: Naya Pul or Dhampus

Rivalling Everest Base Camp for the title of most popular trek in Nepal, the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is a 10-day extravaganza of non-stop mountain vistas culminating in a great cirque of massive mountain peaks seven to eight kilometres high.

If you’re looking for a short, relatively easy and simple-to-organise trek that doesn’t venture too high (max elevation is 4,130m), and with unusually comfortable accommodation, then the Annapurna Sanctuary ticks all the boxes.

The straight there and back route starts in the lush subtropical hills to the north of Pokhara, taking you through oak, birch, rhododendron and bamboo forests before hitting the Alpine zone on day five around Machapuchare base camp (which is actually a collection of trekking lodges — for religious reasons it’s forbidden to climb Machapuchare).

From here to the Annapurna Sanctuary the views get more stupendous with every corner passed. Once you reach the Annapurna Sanctuary there are a few viewpoints above the lodges which reward with views over glaciers, moraine fields and an amphitheatre of peaks including Machapuchare (6,993m), Annapurna South (7,219m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Gangapurna (7,454m) and, just poking up behind the others, Annapurna I (8,091m), the first 8,000m mountain ever climbed (in 1950 by legendary French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal).

The facilities for trekkers are as good as anywhere in the Nepalese mountains. Most lodges have varied menus, some form of heating, separate rooms, electricity, hot showers and even wi-fi. However, this combination of unsurpassed mountain scenery, great facilities and easy access means that tens of thousands of trekkers can walk this trail each year, causing local culture to be overwhelmed by international trekking culture. Lodges can be booked out in the high season. Try to get to the night stop early, or join an organised trekking tour and avoid the worry of finding a bed. If you’re looking for something quieter, the new Annapurna North Base Camp trek might be for you.

To avoid this being a straight there and back trek, do the Poon Hill trek first and then on day four link on to this walk. That would give a total of about 12 comfortable days of walking. Or alternatively add on the Mardi Himal trek for a similar duration.

Read more

Add this to your wishlist

Santiago de Compostela

Camino Frances (Camino de Santiago)

• Best trek for: The world-famous pilgrimage walk
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Trek duration: 30 to 40 days (or shorter segments)
• Max. elevation: 1,522m
• Accommodation: Camping, hostels, hotels
• Start/end point: Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago De Compostela

Embarking on a pilgrimage is a unique trekking cultural and spiritual experience which brings people together from all over the world. At the heart of the modern pilgrimage lies Camino de Santiago, which is actually several different routes leading to Santiago de Compostela.

The Camino Frances is the most popular route, spanning almost 500 miles (780 Km) from Saint Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago in Spain. It takes around four to five weeks to complete in full, but most people do it in shorter segments.

Need to know

For most Camino hikers, blisters are their biggest challenge. It's not just the trail's length but also the concrete roads along the way that contribute to this issue. I've often seen novice hikers making the mistake of not changing out of their hiking boots when walking on hard surfaces, leading to friction on the feet.

My top advice is to carry trainers (sneakers), and before starting each day, apply Vaseline to your feet, especially between the toes. I've tried and tested this method as an effective way to avoid blisters on long distance trails.

Add this to your wishlist

Europe

Tour Du Mont Blanc

• Best trek for: Europe's most famous mountain trail
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Trek duration: 10 days
• Max. elevation: 2,584m
• Accommodation: Huts or camping
• Start/end point: Chamonix circular

A world-class trek through the heart of the Alps in three countries, the Tour de Mont Blanc, is a baptism for many hikers. Steeped in history, Mont Blanc has tempted mountaineers from across the globe to scale this dramatic massif and breath in its astounding vistas.

The trail circumnavigates Mont Blanc (4,810m), spanning France, Italy, and Switzerland. Expect enthralling views, delicious food and an authentic Alpine experience. And the hiking is more varied than you may expect: you’ll be tackling impressive peaks, following roaring rivers and strolling through gentle valleys, sometimes all within the same day.

Need to know

Yes, it’s super-popular – you may well hit logjams on narrow paths up passes, and booking well in advance is essential – but, well, those views of Western Europe’s loftiest peak from all angles…

It's not mandatory to hike the entire circuit. You can, for example, choose to trek the southern part of the trail over four days if time or cost is a factor.

Another consideration is the short season. Like any other Alps destination, the hiking season is dictated by the length of the winter. So June could still have snow on the higher passes, and it's also possible for snow storms in September.

Add this to your wishlist

New Zealand

The Milford Track

• Best trek for: Alpine and Fjords Scenery
• Difficulty: Mild
• Trek duration: Four days
• Max. elevation: 1,154m
• Accommodation: Huts
• Start/end point: Glade Wharf to Sandfly Point

One of New Zealand's ten official 'Great Walks', the Milford Track is a spectacular alpine and fjord trail which has been thrilling hikers for decades. This hike will certainly hit the spot if you love trails with a variety of scenery.

There is no shortage of breathtaking views along the 54 km track: deep valleys, mountain passes, stunning glaciers and New Zealand's highest waterfall, Sutherland Falls, with a total drop of 580 metres.

Need to know

The number of trekkers allowed on the Milford Trek is tightly regulated: you must book in advance, and spaces often sell out within minutes of going on sale. Camping is not permitted along the track, with a mandatory requirement to stay in each of the three huts along the trail. These must be booked in advance and you can not walk the route in the opposite direction.

You can hike the trail independently but you must bring all your supplies, including food, cooking equipment and other essentials for your four-day hike.

Add this to your wishlist

Mt. Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho route

• Best trek for: Summit Africa’s Highest Mountain
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Trek duration: Seven to eight days
• Max. elevation: 5,895m
• Accommodation: Huts/Camping

• Start point: Lemosho Glades

• End point: Mweka Gate

Mount Kilimanjaro, also known as Kili, stands at a towering height of almost six vertical kilometres (equivalent to four miles) above the plains of northern Tanzania. Not only is it Africa's highest peak, but it also holds the distinction of being the largest standalone mountain in the world.

As one of the Seven Summits, which represent the highest mountains on each traditional continent, Kilimanjaro attracts adventurers and avid hikers from around the globe, making it a highly sought-after destination for those looking for the ultimate trekking challenge.

Need to know

According to Tanzania National Parks, around 50,000 trekkers set out to climb Kilimanjaro each year. This makes Kili one of the worlds most crowded mountain treks. Personally I’d recommend avoiding the well established hut to hut route of Marangu and go for the camping only trails such as Machame or Lemosho instead.

Around 15,000 trekkers fail to complete the ascent due to altitude sickness, other illnesses or injury. If you don’t like these odds or fancy a quieter alternative, I’d suggest East Africa’s other major peak, Mount Kenya.

Add this to your wishlist

Toubkal National Park

Mount (Jebel) Toubkal Circuit trek

• Best hike for: Toubkal the quiet way
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Trek duration: Six days
• Max. elevation: 4,167m
• Accommodation: Trekking refuges & homestay
• Start / end point: Imlil

The basic Jebel (Mount) Toubkal trek is typically marketed as a two day itinerary from Imil (or three days if departing from & returning to Marrakech). You’ll do two days of heavy hiking to reach Toubkal Base Camp. On the second morning you’ll make a pre-dawn push to catch sunrise from the summit, then turn around and descend 2,500 metres all the way back down. It’s rushed, gruelling and busy. A far more relaxed trek is the Toubkal Circuit, which is typically done in six days with the final ascent saved for last. If you’ve got the time I’d strongly recommend doing it the slow way.

Read more

Add this to your wishlist

Corsica

GR20

• Best trek for: Considered the toughest hike in Europe
• Difficulty: Demanding
• Trek duration: 11 to 16 days
• Max. elevation: 2,141m
• Accommodation: Hut to hut
• Start/end point: Calenzana to Conca

The GR20 is a beautiful 112-mile (180km) trek traversing the Mediterranean Island of Corsica from north to south. The trail is separated into 16 sections and winds along the jagged granite spine of Corsica's mountainous centre.

Expect to be put through your paces – crossing rugged terrain and taking on narrow ridges. But the scenery is the perfect distraction, with jagged peaks, sparkling rivers and rustic Corsican villages all in view.

Need to know

The problematic, rocky northern part begins in Calenzana and ends in Vizzavona. In this section, you must tackle constant steep ascents and plunging descents. So hiking this route is not recommended for those with knee problems.

In contrast, the southern segment, spanning from Vizzavona to Conca, is less demanding, though not as visually stunning as the northern section. You can choose to hike either one of the two parts or completely go for it and hike from Calenzana to Conca.

Add this to your wishlist

Iceland

Laugavegur Trail

• Best trek for: A surreal landscape experience
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Trek duration: Four days
• Max. elevation: 1,059m
• Accommodation: Huts or camping
• Start/end point: Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork

Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice, and nowhere is this more accurate than the Laugavegur Trail. This otherworldly hike begins in Landmannalaugar, a geothermal haven globally known for its bubbling hot springs and colourful rhyolite mountains.

Continuing en route brings you an array of natural wonders, from impressive glaciers to vast lava fields, and the 55km journey ends in Thorsmork, a mesmerising valley named after the Norse deity of thunder, Thor.

Need to know

Personally, when walking I love to see a tree or two – something Iceland is famously short of. What it does have is an austere, ethereal, often stark and otherworldly beauty epitomised on this short but dramatic trek.

The trail is accessible from June to early September. Conveniently, there are daily bus services from Reykjavik (which takes around four hours) to the trailhead locations of Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork.

The huts offer sleeping accommodation, kitchens and showers but must be booked beforehand. Laugavegur is one of Europe's most popular hikes, attracting around 10,000 visitors in its short season. I’d recommend avoiding the peak summer holiday period if you can, it’ll certainly make the trip more enjoyable.

Add this to your wishlist

California

The John Muir Trail

• Best trek for: A physical challenge through extraordinary backcountry
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Trek duration: 18 to 21 days
• Max. elevation: 4,421m
• Accommodation: Camping
• Start/end point: Happy Isles to Whitney Portal

One of the USA's epic treks, the John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 211 miles (339 km) hike in California's Sierra Nevada. The trail passes through several national parks, including Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia national parks, finishing with a sublime summit hike on Mount Whitney.

This golden nugget of a trail is known for its dramatic landscape. Upon each alpine pass, the eyes are treated to mountain ranges extending in all directions, filled in by meadows and serene lakes.

Need to know

JMT will challenge most hikers, both mentally and physically. The trail is known for its tricky logistic, unforgiving terrain, unpredictable weather, and fire conditions. In addition, you must obtain trekking permits in advance.

Resupplying on the JMT is more complex and expensive than most linear treks. It requires pre-planning and parcel drops to designated campsites. I advise all but the most intrepid to do it with an organised operator who will take care of the logistics on your behalf.

Add this to your wishlist

Balkans

Peaks of the Balkans

• Distance: 192km
• Duration: 10 days
• Start/end points: Plav or Vusanje (Montenegro), Theth or Valbona (Albania), Rekë e Allagës (Kosovo)
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Suitable for: Fit hikers with a sense of adventure

The Peaks of the Balkans is an 192km trans-border trek through the Prokletije Mountains, which form the boundary between Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania.

Rugged, wild and remote, the trail covers high mountain passes, secluded lakes and lush valleys. Accommodation and meals are provided by a scattering of village guesthouses, where the genuine warmth and hospitality is just as memorable as the jaw-dropping scenery.

From Vusanje, on the edge of Prokletije National Park in Montenegro, the route follows the Ropojana Valley, passing a seasonal lake and crossing into Albania.

A long, steady climb leads to the Pejë Pass, before dropping steeply to the village of Theth, set among lush orchards. From Theth, the route leads over the Valbona Pass, with stunning views on both sides, descending the Valbona Valley to Valbona.

Designed with a section of road-walking beyond Valbona, which most people skip with a short transfer, it’s more rewarding to ascend to the Prosllopit Pass.

The trail crosses back into Montenegro below the summit of Maja Kolata, the highest peak in Montenegro (by a smidgen), before returning to Albania.

Descending to Çeremi village, a long day leads to the summer settlement of Dobërdol, surrounded by high pastures beneath the tripartite border between Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo.

A steep climb from Dobërdol is followed by more border-hopping and broad, airy ridges, before dropping down to Milishevc in Kosovo.

The trail leads over another pass, following a less well marked route, down to Rugova Gorge. From Rekë e Allages, on the northern side of the gorge, the route leads to Drelaj, sometimes with a short transfer back onto the border ridge.

After a long descent to Babino Polje in Montenegro, the trail heads up to Lake Hrid, then down to Plav, the only place on the route remotely approaching the size of a town.

Following a 4WD track back up into the mountains, the trail crosses Vrh Bora, with spectacular views of the peaks above the Ropojana Valley, before looping back down to Vusanje.

Need to know

Obtaining a cross-border permit is mandatory for this route – you can apply for this yourself, but it’s more straightforward to get a local agency to do it for a small fee.

The trekking season is May to October – outside these months you can expect heavy snowfall, Alpine winter conditions and no visible trail.

Add this to your wishlist

South West

South West Coast Path

• Distance: 630 miles/1,014km
• Duration: 30 – 60 days, or shorter sections
• Start point: Minehead, Somerset
• End point: Poole, Dorset
• Difficulty: Moderate to hard, with repeated climbs and descents
• Suitable for: There’s a small scenic section for everyone but the whole route is for those with time and stamina.

Of all my favourite walks in the UK, this one easily tops the list.

The South West Coast Path is England’s longest trail but also one of its most famous and highly rated. In the Lonely Planet Guide to Great Britain it is the first attraction mentioned and often features in lists of the world’s best walking trails.

Very few walkers complete the path in one go; for most it’s a longer-term project that’s broken up into more easily-manageable sections. Exactly how you split it up depends on how much time you have for each stretch, and how challenging you want to make it.

Read more

Add this to your wishlist

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum

• Best trek for: For desert hiking and Bedouin hospitality
• Difficulty: Mild
• Trek duration: Two to seven days
• Accommodation: Camping
• Start/end point: Various

Rising from the desert plains, the orange sandstone rocks and mountains of Wadi Rum provide a backdrop to this most Martian of landscapes. Not only can you follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia but experience a different way of life through the eyes of the Bedouin tribes who have lived in these lands for centuries.

It is possible to trek Wadi Rum without a guide but having local knowledge can allow hikers to go off-trail and discover gems that would otherwise appear hidden or time-consuming to locate.

Need to know

My favourite Wadi Rum highlights include a scramble to the top of Lawrence's Spring, walking through the colourful Canyon of Al Mahama and seeking out rock bridges with natural arches, which will have you reaching for your camera.

These sites can be packed with holidaymakers at certain times of the day, often on a one-day jeep excursion. However, the crowds can be avoided by taking a multi-day trekking tour and seeing these magnificent structures on foot.