The Natural Adventure

This Portuguese archipelago of four islands is way out there in the Atlantic but this week of hiking in Madeira takes place on the main island of the same name. Although it is only 55km long, it’s mostly the coast that has been developed, leaving an inland idyll of wilderness areas. These include the high altitude Madeira Peaks, UNESCO Laurisilva forests and the island’s unique levada trails, man-made irrigation channels dating back to the 16th century. Based in two hotels, this holiday covers a gamut of Madeiran gorgeousness on the north-eastern side of the island. Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. Read more >

Bulgaria's magnificent UNESCO sites are threaded together by this rewarding self-drive holiday. From medieval fortresses and rock-hewn monasteries to Thracian treasures and Black Sea heritage, the route reveals an impressive sweep of the country's history while also introducing mountains, nature reserves and attractive towns. Beginning in Sofia, you'll visit Boyana Church before continuing to Veliko Tarnovo, Ivanovo Rock Monastery, Sveshtari, Srebarna Nature Reserve, the Madara Rider and ancient Nessebar. The journey then turns inland via the Thracian legacy of Kazanlak, creative Plovdiv, Pirin National Park and the remarkable Rila Monastery. The contrast between cultural and natural ...Read more >

Sao Miguel is the largest of the Azores archipelago and maybe the most fascinating due to the great variety of landscapes it offers. Walk across green pastures, primaeval forests and around stunning crater lakes, while enjoying the luxury of charming 4-star hotels with all transfers included.Read more >

A five day, self-guided holiday cycling in Marche by e-bike, which gives you plenty of power to explore one of Italy’s lesser-known but stunning coastal regions. However, this trip also takes you to some of Marche’s inland idylls with two nights in a rural hotel near the medieval UNESCO hillside town of Urbino, and three in the coastal town of Pesaro. As well as exploring the Adriatic coast, cycle through traditional villages and the cliffs of San Bartolo Natural Park, the trails inland include Furlo Gorge and the Candigliano River, a route that’s framed by Monte Pietralata and Monte Paganuccio. Accommodation on this tour is in just two places: a seaside four-star Hotel in Pesaro and a cozy ...Read more >

An 11 day, self-guided walking holiday on three of the islands of this otherworldly archipelago: São Jorge, Faial  and Pico island. The wild volcanic land and seascapes of these Portuguese islands are a magnet for magic, with trails to volcanic craters, along ancient coastal paths and secret waterfalls. Island-hopping between these three islands, they all offer something special: on Pico you walk in the shadow of the highest mountain in Portugal (2,351m); on São Jorge the volcanic plains or fajãs make for wild walking and, on Faial, walk alongside the crater in the heart of the island, formed by the most recently active volcano of the Azores, Capelinhos. Read more >

The West Highland Way is one of the most magnificent Scotland walking holidays, covering 154km between Milngavie, just north of Glasgow up to Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, with Ben Nevis waiting to greet you on the final stretch. Although you won’t have many ascents, you definitely have wilderness, including Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the wilds of Rannoch Moor and the Glencoe peaks. This itinerary takes ten days, walking an average 19km per day. Stay in a mix of small, mostly locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses, with luggage transfers.  Full list of our West Highland Way itineraries is available here. Read more >

On this Highlights of Rila walking break, you will be based in the village of Govedartsi, nested at the foothills of the mountain. You will discover mount Musala (2925 m), the famous Seven Rila Lakes, and the Malyovitsa valley.Read more >

A seven day, self-guided walking tour in Catalonia, focusing on Ebro Delta Natural Park, the region’s largest and most important wetland. This makes for exquisite and mostly easy walking trails, starting and ending in Amposta, a riverside town that marks the northern gateway to the Ebro Delta. From coasts to canalside paths, lagoons and luscious rice fields, as well as some superb birding at Encanyissada Lagoon, these trails keep you on your toes, scenery-wise. This is a very different side to Catalonia and exploring it on foot is one of the most calming ways to explore the Ebro’s soothing land and waterscapes. Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels ...Read more >

A seven day, self-guided cycling holiday, by e-bike, that starts and ends in the Renaissance town of Ferrara, and follows trails through the heart of the Po Delta’s UNESCO-listed wetlands. Ferrara Province proffers the prettiest of trails, crossing traditional pastoral landscapes, raised embankments across wetlands and waterfront towns and villages. Including Comacchio, sometimes called Little Venice, but definitely without the crowds. Another highlight is the narrow Argine degli Angeli cycling path through Valli di Comacchio lagoons. This part of Italy is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 370 bird species, including iconic pink flamingos.  Read more >

A seven day, self-guided walking holiday around the northern shores of Lake Garda, to explore the natural and cultural heritage of Valle dei Laghi. Although Garda takes centre stage, there are many more lakes to discover, such as Lakes Toblino and Molveno on this route through alpine terrain, ancient forests and traditional farmland. With highlights including a walk to the summit of Mount Ranzo (1,835m), and nights in traditional towns that are either overlooked by the Alps, or on the shores of lakes. Starting in either Riva del Garda or Arco, both gorgeous Garda spots, and ending in the elegant town of Trento, this off the beaten path walking tour takes you into Italia at its most ...Read more >

Take your trekking in Bulgaria to another level on this 12 day, self-guided adventure in the heart of the Rila, Pirin and Rhodope Mountains. The first four days are spent in the Rila Mountains’ resort of Govedartsi, which gives you easy access to Mounts Malyovitsa (2,729m) and Musala (2,925m), so you are hitting the highs from the get go, with Musala being the country’s highest peak. Moving on to the ski resort of Bansko, in the heart of the Pirin Mountains, trek to Bulgaria’s second highest peak, Mount Vihren (2,914m), and Mount Polezhan (2,850m). This trip really is peak Bulgaria. Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional ...Read more >

Walk in the Aveyron region of France over eight days and discover one of France’s lesser-known regions of top class cultural and natural heritage. Located in the Occitanie region of southern France, start off in Les Vignes, a small village in Gorges du Tarn with glorious GR6 and GR736 hiking routes along the Tarn River. Followed by trails through the region’s grand causses, which are vast limestone plateaus with panoramic views. There are some fine examples of ancient architecture en route, such as troglodyte villages of Saint-Marcellin and Eglazines, medieval hilltop villages and fortifications built by the Knights Templar. Stay in small, locally-owned accommodations, with luggage ...Read more >

This centre-based tour, walking in the Balkan Mountains short break, is a quick, easy yet exquisite insight into Bulgarian mountain culture. Staying in a three-star hotel in Veliko Tarnovo, a northern Bulgarian town on the River Yantra, celebrated as the historical and cultural capital of Bulgaria thanks to its being the centre of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Today it is also a perfect base for an easy to moderate trekking holiday, with trails to the village of Arbanasi, set on a high plateau between Veliko Tarnovo and Gorna Oryahovitsa, ancient monasteries, Derventa Gorge and Kartala Waterfalls. If you would like to spend more time walking in Bulgaria, we recommend our Walking in the ...Read more >

Lose yourself, figuratively, in the natural beauty of Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains as you embark on a week of self guided walking within some of the region’s most impressive gorges and canyons. Some of the panoramic views from the Eagle’s Eye platform close to the village of Lagodina are simply breathtaking with Buinovo Gorge, Tirgrad Gorge and the Canyon of Waterfalls also offering ample excuses to pause for awhile and soak up the scenery. This region of Bulgaria abounds with myths and folklore tales which always make for an enthralling accompaniment to a day’s walk especially for any travellers interested in the legendary Greek, Orpheus. Throughout this moderate week of walking in ...Read more >

If you want to combine a Barcelona citybreak with a hiking one, this four day, self-guided walking holiday in and around Montserrat Mountain, with a chance to stay at the iconic Montserrat Monastery, is divine. Although the monastery is well known for daytrippers, its surrounding walking trails are much less so, many of which are located in and protected by Montserrat Natural Park. Staying in the same location throughout in the monastery complex, you can walk to the top of Sant Jeroni which, at 1,236m, is the highest point of Montserrat. There are many highs to fit into this short break, which will make you feel like you’ve been away for much longer than you have. Accommodation on this tour ...Read more >

A five day, self-guided cycling holiday along the Cammino dei Borghi Silenti, by e-bike. This trail’s name translates as the Path through the Silent Villages and it’s Umbria at its most utopian, with ancient homelands that feel untouched by time, and yet supported by a network of walking and biking routes. The trail covers around 82km of rural and woodland paths on a circuit from Tenaglie, near the ancient hilltop town of Orvieto, where the tour starts and ends. Spend a blissful time pedaling through villages that encircle Monte Croce di Serra, the highest point of the Amerini mountains (994m). It may be silent in one way, but the Cammino’s natural beauty is verging on operatic. Read more >

An eight day, self-guided walking holiday on two of the islands of this otherworldly archipelago: Pico and Faial Island. You spend four nights on Pico and three on Faial, staying in mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. Each island’s Azorean natural heritage offers something special. On Pico, you walk in the shadow of Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal, and also get to enjoy the local wine, grown in volcanic soil. On Faial, you walk alongside the crater in the heart of the island, formed by the most recently active volcano of the Azores, Capelinhos. Read more >

A five day, centre-based walking holiday, based in Tossa de Mar, a coastal town with ancient heritage, a medieval walled Old Town and three beaches. It’s also gateway to Massís de Cadiretes, a mountainous wildlife reserve with trails through valleys and ruined villages, as well as to Puig de Cadiretes (519m), the highest point of the massif. This adventure through ancient terrain also takes you on sections of the Camí de Ronda trail, which was originally created for police to look out for smugglers. Now you just need to keep an eye out for the next heavenly headland or beckoning beach. And, as you are based at the same boutique hotel throughout, you will have plenty more time to chill at ...Read more >

The West Highland Way is Scotland's most popular long-distance walking route. It stretches 96 miles (154 km) from Milngavie to Fort William, taking in some of the best scenery in Scotland. Enjoy some moderate to strenuous walking in the Highlands between Tyndrum and Fort William.Read more >

This week of self guided walking in Bulgaria also carries the reward of a few overnights in 4-star spa hotels which always proves popular with those who prefer to be pampered upon returning from a hike. Local Rhodopean cultural heritage also features throughout this week-long Bulgarian break with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the traditional hearty fare of the mountains after working up an appetite on average daily distances of 14kms. Thanks to the slow pace, this self guided itinerary offers every chance to connect with the natural, silent world of the Bulgarian wilderness where steep canyons and thick forests lead to lakes and waterfalls right in the heart of the resplendent Rhodope ...Read more >