The Top Hiking Tours to Take in Europe

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Nick Dauk

Senior Travel Writer

Lace up your hiking boots and fill the cracks with dirt from around Europe on these top European hiking adventures.

Exploring Europe’s diversity means venturing far from the cosmopolitan cities and capitals of culture. We’re talking about exploring a remote island off Scotland’s coast, trekking through the Azores and tracing the mountains of Georgia. Your hiking boots have sat collecting dust long enough; make an impression on their soles with one of these unforgettable hiking tours through Europe, laced and knotted into these small-group trips.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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A village sits perched atop a rocky mountaintop overlooking the Madonie Regional Natural Park in Sicily

Spectacular Sicily

Leave it to Sicily to put your love of hiking at odds with your love of carbs. Thankfully, this eight-day tour is a balance of both. Start with a cooking class in Palermo, then hike the Madonie Mountains; savour a big bowl of pasta ‘ncasciata in Lipari followed by a calorie-burning trek around Vulcano island’s volcanic rim. It’s living la dolce vita for those of you who can’t resist second helpings of amazing Sicilian cuisine, nor will such a plateful of deliciousness prevent you from wandering the road less travelled.

From US$2924

Next available from 20th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Palermo, Italy

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ENDS AT

Siracusa, Sicily

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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The Gergeti Trinity Church in Georgia sits dramatically perched on a hilltop in front of the imposing Caucasus Mountains

Georgia and the Caucasus

You have yet to discover just how much you’ll appreciate Lagodekhi National Park. After five hours of hiking through the Caucasian foothills, with nothing but the sounds of the forest and rivers, you’ll discover a fondness for Georgia that far exceeds your penchant for Georgian wine. Don’t imbibe too much of the vino, though, as your trekking doesn’t end at Tbilisi’s wine bars. It’s a three-hour trudge up to the medieval Gergeti Trinity Church the following day. Luckily, Tbilisi’s soothing sulphur baths will be waiting at the end of this trip.

From US$1199

Next available from 18th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Tbilisi, Georgia

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ENDS AT

Tbilisi, Georgia

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Jacobite steam train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in Harry Potter

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands by Train

A hiking trip through Europe need not be limited to the mainland. Explore Britain’s last frontier on this rural adventure through Scotland’s rugged countryside. You’ll go on a guided walk in the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Coruisk, with a help of an initial boat journey for the latter. Meanwhile the comfort of famous trains like the Caledonian Sleeper and the Jacobite steam train – as seen in Harry Potter – are ideal for recuperating with a view, and the warmth of a whiskey tasting at Ben Nevis Distillery is the perfect way to cap off a day in the Highlands.

From US$2499

Next available from 29th Apr 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

London, England

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ENDS AT

Edinburgh, Scotland

DURATION

7

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Aerial view of the impressive Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in South Iceland, surrounding by green hills on a sunny day

Escape to Iceland’s Frozen Wilderness

There are European hiking tours, then there are excursions across Iceland’s frozen wilderness. This five-day tour of the Land of Fire and Ice isn’t exactly a walk in the park – unless you mean Thingvellir National Park. You and your small group will check a number of Golden Circle sights off of your list before hiking behind the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and across the Sólheimajökull glacier. With your wet-weather gear already soaked, you might as well get just as pruny during a soak in the Blue Lagoon.

From US$2889

Next available from 17th Feb 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

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ENDS AT

Reykjavik, Iceland

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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A person looking down at the azure waters of the Lagoa do Fogo in the Azores

Into the Azores: Europe's Most Remote Adventure Playground

This six-day trip to the Azores, a volcanic Portuguese archipelago, is full of incredible outdoor adventures. Cycle and kayak around the Sete Cidades crater lakes, abseil down waterfalls and soak in mineral hot springs. Trek to Salto do Cabrito waterfall – don’t forget your swimming gear, as you can go for a refreshing dip once you’re there. You’ll also hike around Furnas crater lake, where you can work up an appetite for a geothermally cooked traditional dinner afterwards.

From US$1459

Next available from 29th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Ponta Delgada, Portugal

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ENDS AT

Ponta Delgada, Portugal

DURATION

6

GROUP SIZE

8

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Maja Proescholdt and Gethin Morgan contributed additional reporting to this article.

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