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Self guided walking travel guide

The biggest joy of self guided walking holidays is that everything is organised for you. You just turn up with your backpack, hiking shoes, compass and a yearning for the outdoors and off you go. Don’t forget your passport though, as this self guided walking travel guide will hopefully inspire you to take on some new routes such as the Picos de Europa in Spain, one of many national parks in Croatia, the Dingle Way in Ireland or the Lycian Way in Turkey. Because wherever you look, there is always a way.

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Self guided walking travel guide

Walking holidays are the oldest form of tourism known to man. For centuries people have travelled by foot whether it is was for a pilgrimage or just for sheer pleasure. They didn’t always have the luxury of being given all the information they need in advance, however, or having their bags transported, or a sauna and sumptuous supper waiting for them at the other end.

Going on a self guided walking holiday is a bit like having an invisible friend to hold your hand. They whisper all the instructions in your ear, but you get to feel like you did it all on your own

Herein lies the luxury of the self guided walking holiday, which is a little misguided as a term, actually. Because in many ways, you are totally guided on these holidays, with everything you need sent to you in an exciting bundle before you leave. It’s as if your favourite old aunt, who has walked the Alps or the Pyrenees every summer since the year dot, just sent you her travel journals. And maps. And address book. You just need to follow in her steps, but have enough independence to find a few of your own too.

See our self guided walking travel guide for where, how and when to get the most out of exploring the world by foot.

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What we rate & what we don't

Underrated

Croatia

Known more for its coast and islands, there are extraordinary walking holidays even just an hour inland, with five national parks to explore. There are also mountains just an hour from Zagreb, probably one of the most underrated European capital cities. And you would be mad not to walk a bit of the coast too, of course, hopping and hiking all those island idylls.

Portugal

You don't have to forgo the sun, sea and sand that Portugal is famous for when you go on a walking holiday. Not with the 400km Rota Vicentina waymarked way that stretches along the coast. You can also take in the flower filled coastal valleys of the Alentejo uplands or just aim high and head to the stunning Serra d'Arga mountains.

Catalonia

The famous regional pride is hardly surprising when you take in the wealth of natural Catalan beauty on offer to walkers. From the snowy Pyrenean peaks to sun-soaked Mediterranean coves, there is also a volcanic park and plethora of hiking trails. Traverse wild deserted coasts and dainty turquoise coves, or the inland Aiguamolls Nature Reserve. Polish up your boots for the magnificent cities of Barcelona, Tarragona and Girona.

Pilgrims' way

This 72km trail follows an ancient track between Winchester and Canterbury, with a good part of it following in the footsteps of those taking on the North Downs. A popular section is from the historic cathedral town of Rochester, following the chalk ridge along the edge of the North Downs, to the medieval cathedral town of Canterbury.

Rated

Europe

Don't overlook Europe for amazing hiking holidays, especially self-guided ones. With a superb European network of waymarked ways such as the Grandes Randonnees, you can easily spend a week just hiking without heading all the way to the Himalayas. Easy to access, you can be at your hotel in the morning and taking on a hike along the Amalfi coast by lunch.

Detailed trip notes

Even if you're not a map geek, you will still love the copious walking notes and itineraries sent in advance of your self-guided walking tour. These are detailed instructions on how to get from A to B, historic and cultural details, a list of restaurants en route and a few extra tips like "turn left down the lane to a secluded beach, which is perfect for lunch and a swim".

Luggage transfer

One of the coolest things about self-guided walking holidays that aren’t based in one centre is that, in most cases, your bags are transferred for you. So all you have to do is have breakfast, leave your bag at reception, and hit the walking trail. Your bag will be waiting for you at the next spot on your itinerary. All you have to think about is the weather, what to wear and walking.

Great accommodation

Hand-picked, tried and tested by tour operators and, depending on location, they are often three or four star, have pools or a spa, and are well vetted for fine food too. Which includes top picnic lunches in some cases. These are accommodations that ‘get’ walkers. They won’t look at you strangely if you come into the foyer with muddy boots, or ask them to fill your water bottles before you hit the road.

Overrated

Going into private land

Just because you are self guided, doesn’t give you the right to stray into people’s gardens, or wander through their farmland. It is usually pretty clear when a sign means ‘Keep out’ whether it is in French, Italian or Turkish. Waymarked ways are managed and delicately negotiated with landowners. So, if you want to right off the beaten path, only do so with an expert local guide.

Old walking gear

It’s all very well being attached to the hiking boots your dad wore, and his dad before that. Or that daypack you have had for years, and stitched up again and again. But sometimes it is OK just to let them go, enshrine them if needs be, and acknowledge the benefits of high tech waterproof and breathable walking gear. With the exception of a fine old handed down hipflask of course.

Hurrying the hike

The clue is in the name ‘walking… holiday’. They are not about getting to the top first, or rounding that distant headland before everyone else. They are for people who want to step into other natural landscapes, explore culture in remote places, and chill on the hills. Who needs the top anyway? There'll be plenty of highs along the way.

The beaten track

For every packed walking trail, there is nearly always another empty one nearby. The French Alps are a huge pull, for example, but the lower Alps, around the Mercantour region, are just stunning. And worshippers of the Camino de Santiago are discovering heavenly spots along Portugal’s Serra de Monchique's ancient paths. So, always look beyond the first trail in the book.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Self guided walking or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

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Calling from outside the UK

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Call us until 6pm

Calling from outside the UK

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Is a self guided tour for you?

Go on a self guided walking holiday if…

Life has become too much of a rush. You don’t even have to rush to get your towel on a sunbed. You want family bonding time, but with all the planning done for you in advance. You want to explore the real rural culture of a place, not the one put on for tourists. Research and planning is not your strongpoint.

Don't go on a self guided walking holiday if

You don't want to get wet. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, especially in the mountains. You are a fastidious timekeeper. Walking holidays are for taking your watch off and switching off. You are more into Michelin stars than star gazing on a remote mountainside. Long lie-ins and lazing by the pool are what you crave.

More about Self guided walking

Why choose a self guided walking holiday

Self guided walking? Why go on an organised one when you could just go independently? After all, you want to hike alone? Because these walking companies are brilliant at what they do.

Self guided walking - Where to go

Many people think that walking holidays are all about walking with a guide and with small groups of other walkers.

Self guided walking activities

There are many things to complement self guided walking, activities such as wild swimming, swotting up on local history, bird watching and seeking out the best farm shops or markets.

Self guided walking for families

You don’t need to be an ‘out on the hills every weekend’ sort of family to brave a walking holiday with your children.

Top 10 self guided walking holidays

From mountainous Italian vineyards to ancient Japanese trading routes – we lay out our top 10 self guided walking holidays.

Self guided walking advice

You might think you know it all, but have a quick read below at some our self guided walking advice.

Responsible self guided walking

There are lots of stories about people behaving stupidly when out walking or mountaineering, and one of the first steps to ensuring you engage in responsible self guided walking is to do so in the hands of an expert tour operator.

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Written by Catherine Mack

Self guided walking travel guide