Relax on a Nature and Wildlife Walking Holiday with Inntravel

Unwind with nature: experience a wildlife holiday with Inntravel

If you’re seeking a peaceful escape, a nature and wildlife holiday offers the perfect opportunity to unwind and reconnect with the serenity of the natural world.

Picture this: you’re staying in small, traditional towns away from the beaten track. Each day, you have your choice of nature walks on quiet trails through breathtaking scenery, keeping your eyes peeled for birds of prey and other wildlife. You return each evening to welcoming accommodation and a delicious meal of local specialties, enjoyed, perhaps, after a refreshing dip in the pool or visit to the spa.

If that sounds like your perfect getaway, why not take a look at our range of nature holidays across the UK and Europe? With over 40 years’ experience in planning walking holidays to some of the most beautiful and secluded landscapes, we use our local knowledge to offer deeper understanding of the culture of your destination, alongside ensuring you enjoy its natural beauty.  

Here’s what an Inntravel nature and wildlife holiday offers, how to prepare and a couple of our favourite itineraries, for a little inspiration.  

 

Why choose Inntravel for a nature and wildlife holiday?

Inntravel’s nature and wildlife itineraries take you to some of the UK and Europe’s most breathtaking wild spaces. From the pleasantly rolling hills of the Scottish borders to Norway’s unforgettable fjordlands, we offer walkers a variety of landscapes to explore, no matter their experience level.

Our nature walks offer something for every kind of walker, whether you’re new to the idea of a walking holiday or are a seasoned veteran. Our relaxed single-centre holidays offer the flexibility to set your own itinerary and choose from a range of suggested trails and sightseeing activities. Meanwhile, our hotel-to-hotel itineraries offer slightly more challenge and structure – interspersed with plenty of time to relax and explore.

On each itinerary, we combine the fresh air, outstanding views and wildlife spotting opportunities the best nature walks offer with the opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture. You’ll stay in friendly, locally-run accommodation, sample regional cuisine at its most authentic and enjoy hidden sights that many others miss, thanks to our detailed walking and sightseeing notes.

We’re passionate walkers ourselves and love spending time on the trails. You can rest assured that we’ve walked every step of our itineraries, so we’re always happy to offer recommendations or to personalise your holiday around your preferences. If you’re keen to add extra nights before, after or during your itinerary – perhaps to enjoy an extra day’s birdwatching or to take in a couple more scenic trails – we’re here to make that happen.

 

Our top 3 scenic nature walks

Algarve's Coast & Hills

Relax on Portugal’s most picturesque coastline on this leisurely single-centre holiday. Your accommodation for the week, a tastefully converted quinta or traditional farmhouse, offers excellent access to the Algarve’s wilder, most beautiful side. You’ll discover hidden groves of orange and almond trees, quiet golden beaches and swathes of colourful flower meadows on your pick of gentle walking trails.

With car hire included, you’re free to explore the region further, perhaps heading to the often-overlooked hillsides of the Algarve’s interior, or taking a trip to the Boca do Rio. A birder’s paradise, here you’ll be able to spot booted eagles, griffon and egyptian vultures, and black and white storks, amongst other species.

> Walk This Way

The River Tweed & the Scottish Borders

On this relaxed hotel-to-hotel itinerary, you’ll follow the natural course of the River Tweed from Peebles to the attractive historic town of Melrose. As you explore pleasant, rolling hills, you’ll encounter fascinating reminders of the Borders’ varied past – the landscape was the site of ceaseless skirmishing and raiding during less friendly times, across either side of the border.

Our route showcases the best of this bucolic, pastoral region. As you follow the Tweed, you’ll pass through water-fed valleys and sheep-grazed pastures with scarcely a soul in sight. The tranquillity makes for good wildlife watching as you walk, with dippers, goosanders and kingfishers frequenting the riverbank and ospreys circling above the trails.

> Walk This Way

Islands & Fjords of Ålesund

Norway’s captivating west coast is the setting for this gentle walking holiday, based in Ålesund, arguably the country’s most picturesque town. You’re ideally placed to venture into some of Norway’s most beautiful fjordland landscapes and to explore the cluster of surrounding islands – but don’t forget to explore the town too. We thoroughly recommend a kayak tour to take in the historic canal network and beautiful Art Nouveau architecture.

Wildlife watchers shouldn’t skip a visit to Runde Island, either by organised boat tour or by following our self-guided circular trail of the island. Runde is home to the widest variety of seabirds in Scandinavia, with kittiwakes wheeling overhead and a 100,000-strong colony of puffins that nests there each summer.

> Walk This Way

 

What to expect on Inntravel’s nature and wildlife walking holidays

Accommodation

Whether you opt for a relaxed, single-centre nature and wildlife holiday or a hotel-to-hotel itinerary, we guarantee accommodation of the highest quality. Depending on your destination, you may find yourself staying in a cosy bed and breakfast, a stylish boutique hotel or a welcoming country inn – you’ll enjoy comfortable rooms, a great night’s sleep and fantastic amenities in each.

Where we can, we prioritise accommodation that is locally owned, benefits the local community and offers a window into the culture of your destination. You might discover your new favourite meal at the hotel restaurant, prepared with fresh local produce, or perhaps stumble across a hidden gem or two on recommendation from your friendly host.

Food and Drinks

Getting to know the local cuisine is an immensely pleasurable part of any holiday, so we provide ample opportunities to sample regional specialties, and perhaps find your new favourite dish.

On itineraries where meals are included, we make sure to showcase local food and drink at its most authentic. Whether enjoying a meal at your hotel or a local restaurant, we choose establishments renowned for their regional menus and use of locally-sourced (and in some cases homegrown) ingredients.  

Where meals aren’t included, we’re happy to point you in the direction of our favourite local restaurants or bars.

Support

Finding, mapping and planning nature walks by yourself can seem overwhelming. Where do you start, and how can you make sure you’re hitting the best viewpoints and wildlife watching spots?

At Inntravel, we take care of all of the planning for you, providing detailed walking and sightseeing notes for every route on your itinerary, so you’re guaranteed not to miss out. We can also take care of all advance travel and accommodation arrangements, so you arrive at your destination relaxed, refreshed and ready to make the most of your getaway.

During your time away, we provide a hotel to hotel luggage transfer service, and also offer a 24/7 customer support line.

 

Preparing for your Inntravel walking holiday

What Should I Pack?

The list below outlines the necessities for a seven-day walking holiday – use this as a starting point and customise it based on the expected weather conditions for your destination and the length of your trip.

To give yourself the best chance of wildlife sightings on your nature and wildlife holiday, you may wish to pack a pair of binoculars, or a DSLR camera with a good zoom lens.

Shoes: 1 pair walking boots and 1 pair evening shoes
Tops: 3 base layers, 2 mid layers, 1 sweater (that also works for evening), 2 evening shirts/tops
Trousers: 2 walking pairs and 1 or 2 evening pairs
Outer layers: 1 jacket and 1 set of waterproofs
Accessories: hat, gloves, scarf or neck gaiter, sunglasses, rucksack, walking poles, GPS device or compass

Need more detail on the type of clothes to pack? Check out our comprehensive guide to packing for a walking holiday.

How Fit Do I Need to Be?

Our range of nature and wildlife holidays offers something for walkers of all fitness levels. On most itineraries, there is no requirement to walk every day – our flexible itineraries allow you to walk or rest whenever you need to.

To help you assess which holiday is right for your current level of fitness, we categorise all our walking holidays using a 1-3 grading scale. This allows you to get an idea of what each of our itineraries is like – you can find this information on each itinerary’s webpage.

Check our walking grades and what they mean.

No matter the grade, it's always a good idea to get some movement in before your walking holiday to minimise fatigue and risk of injury.


 

Relax on a Nature and Wildlife Holiday - Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from a nature and wildlife walking holiday with Inntravel?
Inntravel’s nature walking holidays combine the beauty of the UK and Europe’s most breathtaking natural landscapes with a deeper cultural understanding of your destination. You’ll explore secluded, scenic trails with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities, whilst enjoying plenty of time to sample regional cuisine and visit culturally important sites.

Which destinations are best for nature and wildlife walking holidays?
We offer a variety of nature holidays across Europe, taking in untouched natural reserves, scenic countryside trails and diverse wildlife habitats. Some of our most popular destinations for nature walks include the rolling hills of the Scottish borders, the incredibly biodiverse Portuguese Algarve and the fjords of Norway’s western coast.

Are Inntravel’s nature and wildlife walking holidays suitable for beginners?
Our nature and wildlife holidays offer something for every level of walker, including beginners and those new to walking holidays. Many of our nature walking holidays offer entry-level walks that allow you to enjoy your surroundings at a leisurely pace, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and learn more about local culture.

What kind of accommodation can I expect on a nature and wildlife walking holiday?
We offer a range of accommodation on our nature walks, depending on the location. You could find yourself in a cosy bed and breakfast, traditional guesthouse or stylish boutique hotel – all selected for their comfort, charm and connection to the local environment and culture.

How do I prepare for a nature and wildlife walking holiday?
To prepare well for our nature and wildlife walking holidays, opt for an itinerary that matches your level of fitness and aim to get some movement in before trip to minimise fatigue and injury risk. It’s also a good idea to research the weather conditions at your destination and pack appropriate clothing, such as layers, waterproofs and sturdy walking boots.