5 Reasons to take a longer walking holiday in the UK and Europe

Inntravel, 02 December, 2024

Discover the best long walking holidays in Europe for 2025 with Inntravel. Explore stunning trails, hidden gems, and unforgettable experiences.

 

Is 2025 the year you push yourself to complete one of Europe’s challenging longer hiking routes?

Or perhaps you want a leisurely route with time to explore, to discover more off-the-beaten-track treasures, enjoy a few more incredible local dishes and connect a little more with the culture of your destination?

There are many benefits to opting for a longer itinerary. Here’s why we think you’ll fall in love with our longer walking holidays across the UK and Europe, with a few Inntravel walking holiday itineraries for inspiration.
5 Reasons to take a longer walking holiday

There are so many reasons why hikers love longer walking holidays – from all the opportunities to discover more of your destination to that feeling of accomplishment you get on finishing those few final steps.

A few of these might resonate with you…

1. There’s more opportunity to immerse yourself in your destination
The longer you stay, the more opportunities you have to learn about your destination’s culture, taste regional dishes, and meet local people.

2. You see more of your destination
As you cover more ground, you’ll get glimpses of your destination you would have otherwise missed – such as remote, enchanting landscapes, or off-the-beaten-track mountain villages.

3. A sense of personal achievement
Spending seven days or more on the trails is something to be proud of! It’s satisfying to watch those miles stack up, and look back at how far you’ve come.

4. More established routes
Following an established hiking trail offers a sense of camaraderie and achievement – and you’re usually guaranteed paths in decent condition too.

5. A sense of elation at the end of your walk
Wherever your final destination, the feeling of completeness once you take those final steps is hard to beat! That post-walk slice of cake, glass of beer, or hot coffee never tasted so good!

Ideas for longer walks
Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself with a mountainous route, delve into centuries' worth of history or discover landscapes off the usual tourist trail, our range of UK and European destinations offers a unique way to discover somewhere new.

Inntravel’s itineraries combine a passion for walking with over four decades of local knowledge. The result? A range of longer walking holidays that take in some of the continent’s most breathtaking scenery, whilst providing plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in local history, culture and cuisine.
Our top 5 long walking itineraries for 2025

Tour du Mont Blanc
8-11 days of walking

Embrace the challenging ascents and Alpine terrain of one of Europe’s best walking holidays, and you’ll be rewarded with mesmerising views over the Mont Blanc Massif. From dramatic mountain passes to colourful meadow valleys dotted with dairy farms, this classic three-country route takes in the finest scenery the Swiss, Italian, and French Alps can offer.

Walk this way  >

Portuguese Camino de Santiago, The Old Way
8-9 days of walking

There’s something magical about following in the footsteps of hundreds of years of pilgrims on the famous route to Santiago de Compostela. Our itinerary follows the lesser-known (but no less beautiful) ‘Old Way’, starting in Northern Portugal. En-route, you’ll pass through several idyllic riverside villages and enjoy the beauty of the Rías Baixas region.

Walk this way  >

The Via degli Dei: From Bologna to Florence
6 days of walking

Combine Italy’s fascinating cultural heritage with some of its most enchanting scenery on this route between two great historical cities, following mule tracks and ancient drovers’ roads and stopping off at traditional wayside inns. The Via degli Deli (‘Way of the Gods’) offers incredible views over Tuscany’s famously idyllic landscape, with inspirational vistas from rugged hill ridges.

Walk this way  >

Hadrian’s Wall Path
7 days of walking

Step back a shade under two millennia on this classic British hiking path from Newcastle to Bowness. As you follow the route of the UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall – for the Romans, the edge of the known world – you’ll enjoy the spectacular scenery of Northumberland and Cumbria, and have the opportunity to enjoy one of the UK’s prime stargazing spots.

Walk this way  >

Soča Valley, Lake Bled & Julian Alps
10 days of walking

Nestled in the north west corner of Slovenia, the Julian Alps are widely regarded as the most scenic part of Europe’s mightiest mountain range. Your route begins in the Soča Valley towards the unforgettable blue-turquoise waters of Lakes Bohinj and Bled. As you walk, you’ll discover dense forests, deep cut gorges and the startlingly emerald waters of the River Soča.

Walk this way  >

How fit do I need to be?
If you’re capable of multiple consecutive days of walking, there’s an itinerary to suit you in our 2025 itineraries. You don’t need to be an expert mountaineer, but we would recommend a baseline ‘moderate’ level of fitness for our longer routes.

Our grading scale allows you to get an accurate idea of what each of Inntravel’s walking holidays would demand of you, fitness and experience wise:

Check our walking grades and what they mean

For our longer itineraries, we recommend getting some walks in ahead of time – the perfect opportunity to spend some weekends on the trails in your local area!
FAQs
1. What are the best longer European walking holidays for 2025?
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to longer walking routes in Europe! For mountain lovers, we recommend the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc or the Slovenian Alps; culture aficionados will enjoy the historic Camino de Santiago and Hadrian’s Wall Path.

2. Do I need to be an experienced walker to enjoy these trips?
Some of our long walking holidays are challenging and require experience to enjoy; many others are suitable for less experienced walkers with a moderate fitness level. It’s important to choose a route that’s right for you – we’re always happy to help you with your choice.

3. What kind of accommodation can I expect on a walking holiday with Inntravel?
We choose all our accommodation based on comfort and quality, where possible opting for locally owned establishments. The nature of your accommodation will depend on your itinerary – you could stay at boutique hotels, luxury lodges and cosy B&Bs.

What level of fitness is required for an Inntravel walking holiday?
Whilst some of our longer routes (such as the Tour du Mont Blanc) require a high level of fitness, most are designed to be enjoyed by walkers with moderate fitness levels. If you’re new to long distance walking, we recommend training with regular walks before your trip.

Can I customise my walking holiday itinerary?
Of course! Whether you’re looking for more sightseeing opportunities or want some time to relax, our team is happy to help you add in extra days either side of (or during) your walking route.
 

Plan your walking holiday with Inntravel

Our holidays are designed by walkers for walkers. We’ve walked the routes our holidays take, and are passionate about sharing them with others.

With over 40 years’ experience planning walking holidays across Europe, our friendly team is ideally placed to help you book your perfect getaway.
 
 
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