Challenging hikes across the UK & Europe

Uncover your adventurous spirit: challenging hikes across the UK & Europe

Often, the hikes that ask for the greatest effort yield the greatest rewards. Many a walker may wonder why they chose a particular route, only to be silenced as a breathtaking landscape unfurls as they climb.

Such is the reward of opting for a challenging hiking holiday. The ascents may be steep and the days long, but you’ll experience places where few people set foot, losing yourself in the landscape in a way that’s difficult to do on more populated trails. And then there’s the views – widescreen panoramas over some of nature’s finest work.

Inntravel offers a range of challenging hiking holidays across the UK and Europe. We use our local knowledge to map routes around the most memorable viewpoints and book quality, locally owned accommodation where you can recharge from full days on the trails.

Below, we outline what to expect from our most challenging hiking holidays, and how Inntravel can help you get the most out of them.



 

What to expect on a challenging hiking holiday

At Inntravel, we make sure you enjoy all the thrills of a challenging hiking holiday, whilst still allowing plenty of time for you to truly get to know your destination. We’ve hiked these paths before, and use our insider knowledge to plan the most scenic routes, book locally owned, sustainable accommodation, and find you the best places to recharge with hearty regional specialty dishes.

Our challenging hiking holidays also take in a wide variety of landscapes. Looking to stay relatively local? We might recommend a hiking trip to the Scottish Highlands, where our routes take in expansive lochs, tumbling waterfalls, and deep glens surrounded by mountains. Even though these routes can be demanding, they still delve into the history and gastronomy of the region, from centuries-old castles to silky-smooth single malts.

Challenging yourself to complete a testing hike offers a sense of fulfilment in itself. You’ve reached the peak and your effort is paying off with incredible views across the surrounding mountains – whether those mountains are the Wainwrights of the Lake District, the majestic Alps of western Europe, or the Canary Islands' volcanic, otherworldly peaks.

The best part? Our itineraries are customisable. Need a rest day after a particularly tiring route, or want an extra couple of nights at the end of your holiday to explore and relax? Our team can make it happen.


 

3 Challenging Hiking Holidays to Take On

Unsure where to start? Here are three of our favourite hiking holidays in Europe for those who want to push themselves a little further.

Tour du Mont Blanc, France

One of the world’s classic multi-day hikes, this unforgettable 170-kilometre circuit around Europe’s highest peak offers some of the most enchanting Alpine views you’ll ever experience. You’ll circumnavigate the peak of Mont Blanc via the peaks and glaciers of the surrounding Mont Blanc Massif – each day more breathtaking than the last as you cross the Swiss and Italian borders on this 10-day route.

Traditional Alpine hamlets offer a hearty welcome and a welcome bed each night, and you’ll spend a little time in the livelier, cosmopolitan resort towns of Chamonix and Courmayeur. In between, expect views over the glaciers and peaks of the massif itself and over the surrounding Alps as you cross landscapes of lush meadows, burbling streams and stately Alpine lakes. It’s the most famous hiking holiday in France, for good reason.

> Walk This Way

Piedmont’s Magical Valley, Italy

Delve into the unique scenery and ancient traditions of Piedmont’s remote, rugged Valle Maria. Thanks to the renovation of a network of ancient paths circumnavigating the valley, the region’s formerly deserted villages are coming alive again, breathing new life into this unspoiled corner of the Cottian Alps.

For hikers, these paths are an absolute gem. The scenery feels positively Mediterranean on the valley floor, though as you follow the paths up to the rugged summits, you’ll be treated to a rocky alpine landscape, dotted with fresh springs and lakes. You’ll break for the night in wonderfully hospitable hotels converted from old mountain dwellings, where a comfy bed and a plate of hearty Occitan cuisine await.

> Walk This Way

The High Bernese Oberland

The iconic peaks of the Bernese Oberland – and the colourful wildflower meadows, traditional villages and rustling forests that perch at various places along their slopes – are widely considered to be some of the most beautiful that the Alps have to offer.

This hiking holiday in the Swiss Alps yields rich rewards to those exploring on their own two feet. Exhilarating ascents towards high mountain passes unlock magnificent panoramas across the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, as well as the UNESCO-listed Aletsch Glacier. With long, sometimes steep, ascents and descents, this route from Wengen to Kandersteg is one of our most challenging, but most thrilling itineraries.

> Walk This Way

What to expect on Inntravel's challenging walking holidays

Accommodation

After a day on the trails, a comfy bed and a great night’s sleep are essential. We offer a range of accommodations, from cosy B&Bs and traditional guesthouses to luxurious boutique hotels – where possible these are locally owned, offering a warm welcome and a real glimpse into the culture of your destination.

Food and Drink

Getting to know the local cuisine is one of the best parts of going away – and it’s doubly important on a challenging hiking holiday, when you need to keep your energy levels up! If you're walking with us in Portugal's Peneda-Gerês National Park, for example, by the time you arrive in the mountain village Soajo you will be ready for a hearty meal. Which is just as well, as the region's 'must-try' dish does not come in small portions. Cachena (meat from the long-horn cattle which wander freely in the National Park) is generally served as oversized steaks accompanied by batatas a murro (punched potatoes). Enough to satisfy any hungry hiker!

Depending on your destination, some or all meals may be included in the price of your holiday. In these cases, we make sure you get the chance to enjoy regional specialties and quality, locally sourced produce.

If your holiday doesn’t include meals, our experts are always happy to help with a restaurant recommendation or two.

Support

Long, challenging hikes take up a lot of energy. In the evenings, you really want to be putting your feet up!

Inntravel takes care of all the planning, so you can relax at the end of each day. We provide everything you need to navigate your holiday routes, including detailed descriptions, maps, and GPS files.

On top of this, we’ll reserve your accommodation, sort out advance transport bookings and transfer your luggage between hotels day to day – all you need to pack is a day rucksack.

For reassurance, you can reach our support team 24/7 whilst you’re away.

Preparing for your Inntravel challenging hiking holiday

What Should I Pack for an Inntravel Walking Holiday?

Your exact packing list will depend on a couple of things – where are you going? What’s the weather like there? How long will you be going for?

Here’s our general recommendation for a seven-day ‘capsule wardrobe’ for a challenging hiking holiday. This should give you a solid base from which to start – scale up or down depending on your holiday.

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

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 For a Challenging Hiking Holiday?

Our most challenging walking holidays aren’t a walk in the park. You’ll be walking on consecutive days, often from hotel to hotel, on routes with significant ascent and descent.

To really enjoy your holiday, you need to be in good shape. It's worth training in advance and breaking in any new kit well before you travel.

Check our walking grades and what they mean.

Challenging Hikes - Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Inntravel's challenging hiking holidays different?
We pair challenging hikes with a love of immersing ourselves in the landscapes we walk through. Our itineraries take in some of the most challenging hikes and memorable scenery across the UK and Europe, combining our passion for hiking with our insider knowledge of each destination.  

What destinations are available for challenging hikes?
Our challenging hiking holidays take place across the UK and Europe. Some take in hidden gems and quiet trails in some of the continent’s most underrated destinations; others follow iconic hiking routes like the Tour du Mont Blanc in France, Piedmont's Valle Maira in Italy, and the Eiger to Matterhorn trail in Switzerland.

What level of fitness is required for these hikes?
You’ll need to be an experienced hiker with a good level of fitness to really enjoy our most challenging walking holidays – expect long, consecutive days on demanding trails. It’s a good idea to get some training in before you depart to get the most out of your trip.

What support does Inntravel provide during my challenging hiking holiday?
Before you depart, we provide detailed route notes, maps and GPS device files – you get to enjoy your hike and rest in the evenings, rather than dealing with the next day’s logistics. We also take care of luggage transfer between hotels and offer a 24/7 customer support line in case things don’t quite go to plan.

How do I prepare for a challenging hiking holiday?
As well as following a suitable training plan, make sure you have the right clothes and equipment, and that it’s in good shape. Suitable hiking gear includes plenty of lightweight layering options, a full set of waterproofs and sturdy hiking boots with good traction. If you buy new gear, make sure you break it in before going on your holiday.