Backpacking Tours

Head for the more remote valleys of the northern Dales to explore fast-flowing rivers, stunning hay meadows, traditional villages and fascinating mining remains. Spend your first day crossing the wild, open moorland between Arkengarthdale and Swaledale before enjoying a classic exploration of upper Swaledale, with its waterfalls and welcoming little villages. Your third day takes you along the Swale to popular Reeth before heading up to Fremington Edge for views back over much of your route.

Spend your first day enjoying the famous Malham circuit, taking in Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn and the huge arc of Malham Cove, as well as the quieter footpaths in between. Your second day takes you across the moors into Wharfedale where you visit the pretty village of Linton before arriving at your base for the last two nights in beautiful Burnsall. Spend your last full day exploring a lovely stretch of the River Wharf (great for a dip if you’re brave enough!) and the gorge of Trollers Gill.

This route explores the peaceful fells of the Cumbrian part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Spend your first full day heading for the summit of brooding Wild Boar Fell, with views over much of the western Dales, the Eden Valley and the Howgill Fells. Your second day is a full-length traverse across the distinctive Howgill Fells to reach the ‘book town’ of Sedbergh. Your final day’s walk takes you over moorland and along gentle riverside paths in Dentdale, complete with a stop in picturesque Dent.

The food is as much a highlight as the walking on this trip, with fantastic dishes using lots of local produce on offer at both hotels.

Enjoy a relaxed ramble through Wharfedale, soaking up riverside paths, woodland trails, moorland views and pretty villages. Explore the charming villages of mid-Wharfedale before heading north all the way to the ‘head of the valley’. On the way, you will take in atmospheric Grass Wood, the fascinating ‘Conistone Dib’, a trip into peaceful Littondale, the villages of Kettlewell and Buckden and stunning views up and down the valley. There is also plenty of time to stop and refuel in some of the many cosy pubs and cafes on the way.

Begin your journey in the small market town of Middleham with its impressive castle ruins and spend a day exploring the quiet footpaths of exquisite Coverdale, remote Walden and idyllic Bishopdale before making your way west towards the head of Wensleydale, taking in famous Aysgarth Falls and the banks of the surprisingly peaceful River Ure.

Explore the famous green pastures of bucolic Wensleydale and its beautiful tributary valleys before crossing one of Yorkshire’s highest mountains to reach the more remote valley of Swaledale, full of dry stone walls, field barns, waterfalls and sweeping views. Much of this route takes in classic ‘Herriot Country’ and is our take on the well-known ‘Herriot Way’.

The West Highland Way is the most famous and perhaps best loved long distance walking route in Scotland. It is 96 miles/154km in length and begins in Milngavie (on the edge of Glasgow) and ends in Fort William. It's an incredibly diverse trail which explores some of the best scenery Scotland has to offer. From mountains and lochs, to moorland and farmland, the West Highland Way trek really does have it all.

This seven-day, 30+ mile backpacking adventure includes five full days of backpacking along massive glaciers, past wild creeks, and through virgin wilderness in this most amazing and virtually unexplored area of Denali National Park. Not only does this experience include float plane access via a flight-seeing tour of the mighty Ruth Glacier, it also provides backpackers the opportunity to experience Denali National Park in a way that few ever have. You’ll finish the trip with a short visit to the quaint town of Talkeenta, and a remarkable train ride back to Anchorage.

Turquoise Lake offers some of the best hiking and wildlife viewing in Lake Clark National Park. At your first camp, spend a few days exploring waterfalls and glaciers, then head toward Twin Lakes for three days in the alpine tundra. Enjoy some of Alaska’s most incredible lakes and mountain ranges, and return refreshed from this wild place of natural beauty and solitude.

Guarded by 8,000’ peaks to the east, and endless tundra to the west, Turquoise Lake is nestled between Telaquana Lake and Twin Lakes, in the heart of Lake Clark National Park. This 7-day adventure gives anyone looking for an all-inclusive wilderness hiking experience the chance to thoroughly explore one of Alaska’s most amazing and beautiful watersheds; kayaking the turquoise waters, hiking to the edges of mighty glaciers, and exploring the hillsides searching for a glimpse of the many animals that call this place home. With kayaks based at Turquoise Lake you can hike both the east end and west end of the lake, with the option to do morning or evening paddles from camp.

This routes explores three of Lake Clark National Park’s most spectacular watersheds — Telaquana Lake, Turquoise Lake, and the famed Twin Lakes. This backpacking trip will take you up and over glaciers, through spectacularly vertical canyons, past huge waterfalls, and across some of the most stunning alpine tundra in Alaska.

This 10-day backpacking and hiking trip will take you from the shores of remote Telaquana Lake, around the Trail Creek highlands, beneath the glaciated 8000’ Telaquana Mountain, under the hanging glaciers surrounding Turquoise Lake, over a glacier pass, through the tundra of the Emerson Creek valley, and finally to Twin Lakes.

While the mountains present exciting route-finding challenges, the tundra allows the opportunity to hike easily and glass the horizons for Dall’s sheep, grizzly bears, caribou, moose, migratory foul, and birds of prey.

An exclusive proposal of Walk Patagonia to travel the Carretera Austral, famous for its surreal landscapes, its picturesque localities, and its pristine nature.

Travel down a section of the Carretera Austral to the picturesque town of Caleta Tortel, nestled in a zone of archipelagos with endless islands, channels and estuaries, and rugged mountain ranges crowned by glaciers. With optional full-day trekking in Cerro Submarino, Río Mosco Refuge or Tigre Glacier Lookout before embarking on the lake transfer that connects the different towns of the southern region of Aysén and arrive in the beautiful spot of Candelario Mansilla. Enjoy days trekking in El Chaltén before visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Follow the Congo Nile Trail which extends from Rubavu, through the Rustiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke districts and ends at Rusizi. 227km of beautiful landscapes, rolling hills and clear water. The entire trek can be completed in a 10-day hike, however this trip can be customised to suit travellers who do not have time to complete the full route.

Enjoy tree top canopy walks, lakeside picnics and trek chimpanzees in the jungle with expert guides to lead the way.

If you're already confident with the basics of map reading, this 2 day map and compass navigation skills courses takes you through the next steps: teaching essential compass work to allow the walker to explore ground away from footpaths and tracks.

On completion of this course participants should be able to plan and follow walks in the countryside that venture beyond paths and tracks.

• Topics covered include:
• Navigating using ‘coarse’ and ‘fine’ features
• Navigational strategies: aiming off, attack points, collecting features
• Understanding of contour features, both large and small, on the map and on the ground
• Judging distance accurately on the map and on the ground
• The planning of a safe walk or route involving walking on a bearing
• Employ simple relocation strategies when lost
• Use of compass to follow accurate bearings
• Understanding of the effects of fatigue, physical discomfort and extreme weather conditions
• Knowledge and application of the Countryside Code

Start your first day trekking with a steady climb that takes you to the Marabout Sidi Chamharouch, a place where pilgrims come from across Morocco to heal the sick bewitched by evil spirits before continuing your trip south to the Toubkal Refuge. The next morning you will start to climb this beautiful peak. Toubkal is the highest in North Africa at 4167m, with impressive panoramic views. After lunch, head to Imlil to transfer back to Marrakech.

On this trip you will traverse the stunning Azzadene Valley, passing traditional Berber mountain villages and see rushing mountain streams surrounded by lush walnut groves that lead up towards the peaks of the High Atlas. Walk up the valley towards the pass at Tizi n Mzik (2479m) which offers dramatic views, before descending down into Imlil. If you’re feeling energetic you can take a slight route detour to include the D’Irhoulidene waterfalls.

You will enjoy beautiful landscapes along the way between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, the doorway to the Sahara desert and visit the UNESCO world heritage site Ait Benhaddou. Experience the local culture with an overnight stay in a local family’s home in Tinzert, as well as taking a sunset camel ride to spend the night in a nomadic tent under shooting stars.

This authentic Himalayan trekking package is the perfect introduction to the natural splendor of Nepal, taking you across an extraordinary range of landscapes over the course of just six days. You’ll stand in the shadow of some of the highest mountains on the planet, including skyscraping giants like Gangapurna (7,455 meters), Machapuchare (6,993 meters), and Himalchuli (7,893 meters). The mighty Annapurna I clocks in at 8,091 meters, earning it the title of the 10^th highest mountain in the world.

The mountain communities here in the Annapurna region are populated by Gurung and Magar villages, and we’ll visit a number of monasteries, temples, and shrines which are critically important to their primarily Buddhist faith. Our trail will also lead us through the Annapurna Conservation Area, where we’ll have the chance to spot rare animals like the red panda and Himalayan monal against a backdrop of lush greenery and shaded forest.

Friendly guides will be with you each step of the way to identify the correct route, assist you with any difficult patches of hiking, and share colorful stories about this region of Nepal.

Alpine Ramble Treks has developed our 10-day Langtang Valley Trek itinerary to showcase the very best of this region, including the high-altitude peaks of the Langtang Himal range. This package will also introduce you to the wild landscapes of Langtang National Park, where you may be able to spot elusive wildlife like the musk deer, Himalayan tahr, or red panda moving amongst the dense woodland foliage. Especially keen-eyed hikers may even discover evidence of the exceptionally rare snow leopard as we move from the tropical lowlands to the alpine heights of the Langtang Valley.

The Langtang Valley Trek is still something of an undiscovered gem when compared with its more popular counterparts. This means that the enchanting scenery, picturesque communities, and winding trails decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and Chortens won’t be crowded with other travellers even during the peak trekking season. This lends a decidedly intrepid vibe to the Langtang Valley Trek, making it the perfect choice for travelers who want to escape the crowds and engage with the Himalayan wilderness on their own terms.

Starting with a hike up to the pass of Tizi ‘n Touati to experience panoramic views of the High Atlas range, this trip has you exploring alpine landscapes overgrown with wildflowers and herbs, following rivers and trekking waterfalls. You will experience the local culture, spending the night in a village gite as well as searching for ancient rock carvings and hiking to the summit of Mt Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa.

Explore Morocco by bike on this eight day cycling tour. Departing from Demnate, the famous natural bridge, you will cross desert plateaus to reach the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and take 4x4s on high plateaus to the foothills of Jebel Saghro. Enjoy magnificent views of the High Atlas Mountains and the volcanic chaos of Jebel. Mount horses for a ride along the bank of the Oued Draa and visit Ksar El fayja, a fine example of the architecture of the fortified desert villages. Finally, enjoy sunset camel ride across the dunes.

The Cape Wrath Trail is often considered the hardest long distance trek in the UK. The challenge of this trail is equally matched by its breath-taking scenery, making it one of the most wild and beautiful places in the UK. We offer The Cape Wrath Trail over 3 stages (which can be combined together for those that would like to complete the full trek in one go). For the majority of our customers The Cape Wrath Trail South & North is their complete Cape Wrath Trail adventure. Our Cape Trail Expedition is a bonus sections for those wishing to explore that little bit further.

Claim the ultimate bragging rights when you hike the highest and toughest peaks in Snowdonia national park. The 14 Peaks is a famous 24 hour challenge that only the toughest and bravest (or craziest?!) undertake. We prefer to savour our hiking a little more though, and even over 3 days this is no walk in the park.

Experience the best mountain hiking and scrambling in North Wales under the expert guidance of your professional, local mountaineering guides. An adventure like this is all about your personal experience, every step of the way. You’ll have a maximum 1:4 guide ratio, ensuring you have your guides’ full attention throughout. With our local knowledge and careful planning, you’ll enjoy these famous Welsh peaks without the crowds.

A week of Classic Peak District Walks spanning the rugged remoteness of the Dark Peak to the tranquil lowlands of the White Peak. We explore some of the areas best walking and delve into the social and natural history that has shaped the area.

This Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary allows you to complete the round-trip circuit to the base of Mount Everest in just eight days.

You’ll traverse lush forests draped in moss, cross alpine meadows adorned with wildflowers, and pass through picturesque trailside villages clinging to the slopes of steep mountains. And at the end of the trail, you’ll reach Everest itself: an 8,848-meter colossus that defines not only Nepal’s mountain ranges but also the entirety of the Himalayas themselves. As you approach the base camp, you’ll walk in the shadows of an entire range of truly mighty mountains. When you reach the thrilling high-altitude vantage point of Kala Patthar, you’ll be rewarded with a 360-degree panorama of these distinctive landmarks.

During the Everest Base Camp Trek, you’ll also visit a number of iconic mountain villages. You’ll get a firsthand glimpse into the daily routines of local people here, including the vibrant religious traditions which define their way of life and visit the most important religious center in the region: Tengboche Monastery. Your guide from Alpine Ramble Treks will help you to unlock the secrets of the Khumbu, interpreting the rich cultural fabric of the Himalayas and leading you to the conclusion of a successful trek.

St Cuthbert's Way is a 100km (62.5 mile) trek which begins at Melrose Abbey and finishes on Holy Island, just off the Northumberland coast. The trail follows in St Cuthbert's 7th century footsteps through the rolling borderlands of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. The trek culminates in a unique finish across the tidal causeway to Holy Island. It offers a fantastic introduction to long distance walking; a route steeped in historical and cultural interest, we take our time so we can take it all in during five days of walking.

This eleven day walking tour of Armenia will give you the opportunity to explore lush forests, natural monuments and breath fresh mountain air, enjoying every step of your trail as you experience the local hospitality of Armenia.

Walk through amazing Armenian mountains and hills, discover ancient layers of Armenian history and leave your footprint on the Great Silk Road. You will chat with friendly locals, experiencing their traditional lifestyle and sample famous Armenian wines in Areni.

Exploring Alaska’s oft overlooked Talkeetna Mountains, travel up the Gold Mint trail and then into the alpine tundra above at the headwaters of the Little Susitna River and complete the 3 hour ascent of the Mint Glacier itself. Explore the dramatic upper reaches of the Mint Glacier's huge granite walls, neck-wrenching vertical relief, and rugged terrain shaped by the retreating glaciers.

This 25 mile backpacking adventure will give you a savory taste of this rugged range. From the sublime beauty of the Little Susitna River to the granite peaks above the remote Mint Glacier.

El Calafate and El Chaltén are the departure points to visit some of the most emblematic glaciers and peaks of around the world. Walk Patagonia has prepared a selection of the main highlights for you to visit in Glaciares National Park: Perito Moreno Glacier, Mounts Torre and Fitz Roy. This programme also includes spectacular trekkings to deep blue lagoons and through magical lenga forest, and the great experience to be surprised by the arid landscape of the steppe by visiting a 70 million year old Petrified Forest.

This is a seven day walk on the Isle of Skye, a beautiful, mountainous island off the west coast of Scotland. The Skye Trail is a challenging, unofficial long distance route, it is unmarked and many sections aren't even on paths. However, the challenge is well worth the effort as you will experience some of the most breath-taking scenery in Scotland. You will pass ruins of deserted villages, destroyed in the Highland Clearances. Have multiple views of the Cuillin Ridge and walk over the Trotternish Ridge. You will also have the chance to see The Isle of Skye's array of wildlife, including seals, otters and eagles.

With its unique mix of mountains and forests, rivers and coastline, North Wales is an adventurer’s playground just waiting to be explored.

Experience the adventure capital on a multi activity adventure holiday in North Wales. Boasting mountains and valleys, rivers and coastline, this beautiful region has it all. Truly immerse yourself in local life with a North Wales adventure tour spent in three incredible locations. Challenge yourself to new experiences every day, with a carefully-crafted bundle of adventures in the wilds of North Wales.