Challenging hikes:

expert advice on our more challenging walking holidays

Our more challenging holidays may feature more ascents, but the vistas are all the more rewarding. Breathtaking panoramas take in some of nature’s finest work, while longer days out on the paths are met with a warm welcome at your hotel, which often feature a spa to unwind in. 

Watch Travel Expert Rebecca share her passion for challenging walking holidays and explain why with Inntravel is about so much more than just a walk.

Our expert's view


"Our grades go from one to three, and three is the most challenging. So I think if you were going try a grade three, then it would be wise to have a certain level of fitness. You're looking at slightly longer days, maybe 15km to 19km days with quite a bit of ascent and descent."

- Rebecca Bruce, Travel Expert

Why take on a challenge with Innravel?

Rewarding panoramas From soaring alpine passes to volcanic summits, these trails offer far-reaching views that make every step worthwhile.
A sense of achievement | Cover longer distances, tackle steeper climbs, and relish the satisfaction of arriving at your destination each day.
Scenic variety | Walk through meadows, forests, rocky ridges, and quiet valleys – each day brings new scenery and fresh challenges.
Welcoming stays | Enjoy the comfort of carefully chosen hotels, mountain inns, and boutique retreats, all with warm hospitality and excellent food.
Time to pause | Even with full days of walking, you have the freedom to enjoy a picnic with a view, explore a historic village, or simply sit and take it all in.

Top picks for challenging hikes

Ready to tackle a challenging hike?

For expansive mountain panoramas and the satisfaction of reaching the top, our challenging hikes make for truly rewarding walking. We focus on Europe’s more mountainous regions, including the Alps, Dolomites, and the Canary Islands, where each day’s walk features breathtaking viewpoints, high passes, and the feeling of standing on top of the world.
  • For those who enjoy more of a challenege - These aren’t mountaineering expeditions, but they are full days on the trails, often 15–19 kilometres, with testing ascents and descents. You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness, but the effort is balanced by stays in hand-picked, comfortable hotels.

    They're best for:

    • Walkers with a sense of adventure who enjoy the challenge of longer days and steeper climbs.
    • Active walkers who are confident on varied terrain and relish the satisfaction of reaching a panoramic viewpoint under their own steam.
    • Travellers who like balance: days on the trail followed by comfortable lodgings, good food, and time to unwind.
    • Those seeking a sense of achievement as well as scenery, where each day’s effort brings a well-earned reward.
    • Anyone who wants to learn about local traditions and explore mountain villages, enjoying authentic hospitality along the way.
  • Set out on walking holidays that reward your efforts with panoramic mountain views, rich cultural encounters, and the quiet satisfaction of tackling longer, more demanding trails.

    These routes feature full days on varied terrain – with testing ascents and descents – yet still leave time to pause for a scenic picnic, enjoy a welcoming hotel, or explore the character of the region you’ve worked hard to reach.

    Tour du Mont Blanc – Experience one of the world’s most iconic long-distance trails, circling western Europe’s highest peak. Walk through three countries – France, Italy, and Switzerland – each offering its own landscapes, traditions, and flavours. Lush alpine meadows, sparkling lakes, and rugged passes lead you to breathtaking views over the Mont Blanc massif, with the thrill of crossing the finish in Chamonix after nine superb days on the trail.

    La Palma’s Volcanic Trails – Journey through the heart of ‘La Isla Bonita’ on a route that blends drama and beauty. From vast lava fields to fragrant pine forests and the extraordinary Caldera de Taburiente, the scenery is constantly changing. Stay in a mix of boutique hotels and ocean-view apartments, and explore the vibrant capital of Santa Cruz. An optional visit to the island’s 2021 volcano adds a once-in-a-lifetime highlight.

    Piedmont’s Magical Valley – Tackle challenging routes in the secluded Valle Maira, where snow-dusted peaks and green alpine meadows set the scene. Stay in hospitable mountain inns serving generous local fare, and glimpse the near-vanished Occitan culture in the villages along your way. Wildflowers carpet the valleys in spring, and old wartime paths tell quiet stories of the past.

    La Gomera: Hidden Gem of the Canary Islands – Walk through Garajonay National Park’s ancient laurel forests, a UNESCO-protected treasure, before breaking out onto glittering coastal viewpoints across to Tenerife. Valleys and terraced hillsides brim with exotic plants, and there’s time to swim in the secluded cove of La Caleta. End your journey in a panoramic Parador, the perfect place to reflect on your adventure.

    Wherever you choose, you can expect:
    • Carefully planned, self-guided routes with varied scenery and rewarding views.
    • Comfortable, characterful accommodation where the welcome is genuine.
    • Meals prepared with local ingredients and regional recipes.
    • Luggage transfers so you can enjoy every step.
  • Not necessarily, but good fitness and comfort on uneven, steep terrain is important.

    Our hikes reward your effort with spectacular views and a strong sense of achievement. We recommend building time to walk into your daily routine before your holiday, gradually increasing the length and ascents so that you can enjoy the walks while you're away.
  • No - These are demanding walks, but they don’t require ropes, harnesses, or technical climbing experience.
  • You need a reasonable level of fitness - If you can comfortably walk 15–19km a day with sustained climbs and descents, you’ll be well prepared.
  • With all of our hotel to hotel walking holidays you recieve - Detailed route notes, luggage transfers, hand-picked accommodation, and expert local support. All or some meals are often included, this differs from holiday to holiday.
  • Yes - Many itineraries include optional routes or rest days so you can enjoy your surroundings at a gentler pace. We can also customise your intinerary to add additional rest days into your holiday.
  • Absolutely - Many Inntravellers walk on their own, knowing we’re here to support them every step of the way. You can check out our top holidays for solos, as recommended by our travel experts. 
  • Challenging hikes with Inntravel aren’t about roughing it – they’re about rewarding days on the trails with comfortable guesthouses and superb food.

    We select welcoming hotels, charming mountain inns, and boutique retreats where you can relax in style, often with excellent regional food and a warm personal welcome. Your luggage is moved ahead for you, so you carry only what you need for the day – leaving you free to focus on the walking and the views.

    On some of the world’s most famous routes – such as the Tour du Mont Blanc – it’s hard to escape the crowds entirely, but our carefully designed itineraries still offer quieter moments and a more personal pace. And for those who prefer to avoid the busy trails altogether, we have more challenging walks created in true Inntravel fashion – from the wild, green valleys of La Gomera to the remote, flower-filled slopes of Piedmont’s Valle Maira – where the sense of space and solitude is as uplifting as the scenery.
  • Sturdy, comfortable walking boots, layered clothing, and a small daypack for water, snacks, and essentials. Some of our customers also prefer to walk using walking poles or sticks. We’ll transfer your main luggage between hotels for you and it will be waiting for you when you arrive at your next destination.
     

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