Best Self Guided Walking Holidays in the World
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10 best Self Guided Walking Holidays tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaSelf Guided Walking Holidays travel expert at TourRadar
- Self-Guided Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 4 Days
- Self-Guided Peaks of the Balkans tour in 7 days
- Portuguese Way of St. James Along the Coast from Porto to Santiago
- Majorca - along the GR221
- Adventure in El Chaltén at Camp Full
- Walking The Best of Hadrian's Wall
- Coastal Cilento Walk
- Walking the Camino de Santiago
- Walk the Nakasendo Trail
- Walking the Speyside Way
Self-Guided Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 4 Days
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Perfectly organized tour that takes the worries away from you. The self guided aspect is really nice.”
Stijn, traveled in July
The 48km of marked trails unfold with professional backup support. The route connects Theth's Blue Eye (18km loop) to Valbona Pass (14km), with stays in welcoming guesthouses. Private room upgrades available for €40/night.
Duration 4 days Destinations Tirana, Shkoder, Theth, Valbona Valley National Park, Koman Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Choose Balkans From
- NZ$805
Self-Guided Peaks of the Balkans tour in 7 days
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The mountains were stunning, and it was amazing to get to access the gorgeous remote villages.”
Warwick, traveled in September
The rugged trails from Lepushë to Valbona Pass await with downloadable maps. The route passes Arapi peak (2217m) and remote shepherd villages. Local transport at Gerbaj-Vuthaj and Choose Balkans team support ensure smooth logistics.
Duration 7 days Destinations Tirana, Shkoder, Theth, Valbona Valley National Park, Çerem, Doberdoll, Gjakove Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Choose Balkans From
- NZ$1,638
Ancient paths link Porto's wine cellars to Santiago, winding through medieval villages and along Atlantic shores. Daily walks of 17-25km come with comprehensive route materials and luggage transport.
Duration 15 days Destinations Porto, Vila do Conde, Esposende, Viana do Castelo, Caminha, A Guarda, Oia, Baiona, Vigo, RedondelaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator Abanico Individuell Reisen From
- NZ$2,556
Mallorca's GR221 stretches from Port Alcúdia to Port d'Andratx with GPS guidance. Daily walks of 13-24km lead to unique stays at Lluc Monastery and comfortable 3-4 star hotels.
Duration 9 days Destinations Alcudia, Lluc, Puig des Tossals Verds, Port de Soller, Valldemossa, Banyalbufar, Port d'Andratx, Sant Elm Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator Eurohike From
- NZ$1,990
The trails from El Chaltén to Mount Fitz Roy cover 17km to Laguna de los Tres and Cerro Torre viewpoints. Full Camp Fitz Roy and Hotel Infinito Sur provide comfortable bases.
Duration 4 days Destinations El Calafate, El Chalten, Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre Mountain Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator People Travel and Experience From
- NZ$1,811
Roman history comes alive on this self-guided walk from Greenhead to Corbridge. Highlights include Vindolanda Fort and Housesteads Museum, with dramatic paths through Walltown Crags and Winshield Crags. Carefully selected accommodations await at day's end.
Duration 6 days Destinations Greenhead, Lanercost, Once Brewed, Wall, Corbridge Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$1,620
Wander self-guided trails through Cilento National Park's scenic paths, including the historic Valley of Mills and Punta Tresino headland. Daily routes average 13km, revealing hidden beaches and medieval villages. Includes carefully selected accommodations and baggage transfers.
Duration 9 days Destinations Paestum, Agropoli, Rocca Cilento, Castellabate, Palinuro, Camerota Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$2,778
Leon's gothic cathedral marks the start of this historic pilgrim path through Spain. Medieval Molinaseca and Portomarin's Roman bridge highlight the route, which winds through Galician vineyards with daily luggage transfers.
Duration 11 days Destinations Leon, Molinaseca, O Cebreiro, Samos, Sarria, Portomarin, Lestedo, Palas de Rei, O Coto, MelideSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$5,304
Walk the historic Nakasendo path, linking preserved post towns like Tsumago and Magome. Self-guided treks include the scenic Mount Kurama trail and Torii pass crossing. Traditional ryokans and minshuku guesthouses provide authentic overnight stays during independent exploration.
Duration 11 days Destinations Kyoto, Magome, Tsumago, Nojiri, Kiso, Narai, Karuizawa, Matsumoto, Takasaki, Tokyo Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$7,875
Scotland's whisky country opens up from Buckie's shores to Aviemore's mountains. The path winds through Strathspey's birch woods, past Cragganmore Distillery, and the RSPB Osprey Centre, with stays at selected properties like Delnashaugh Hotel.
Duration 7 days Destinations Buckie, Fochabers, Craigellachie, Ballindalloch, Grantown-on-Spey, Aviemore Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$2,523
Self Guided Walking Holidays & Trip Reviews
- Self-Guided Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 4 Days
The tour takes you past some of the most stunning parts of north Albania, it was gorgeous and the guesthouses we stayed at were small and welcoming. The food was really good too (dinner is not included, but available at the guesthouses we stayed in). The self-guided hiking tour was well organized, all we had to do was walk ;). Our tour operator (Brikena) made some changes during our trip, which were always discussed before. Because of that, the tour was far more convenient than having to schedule everything yourself, additionally, we had a short private boat trip which was really fun
- Self-Guided Peaks of the Balkans tour in 7 days
This hike was incredible and truly a highlight of my visit to Europe! The mountains were stunning, and it was amazing to get to access the gorgeous remote villages. Having all accommodation and transport organised by Choose Balkans meant that all I had to worry about was walking and the weather! Brikena was very helpful and checked-in daily to make sure all was going to plan, and offered advice for the day based on the forecasts. The perfect way to see the lesser reached areas of the Balkans!
- W-Trek in Torres del Paine Standard – Self Guided (5 Days / 4 Nights)
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing experience. I highly recommend the tour company and our leader. Will come back!!
What our customers ask about Best Self Guided Walking Holidays in the World
What's the best time of year for self guided walking holidays in Europe?
If you want the best hiking weather in Europe, timing really depends on where you're heading. The Alps are perfect from June to September when the weather is warm - around 68-77°F (20-25°C) and the trails are clear. For coastal walks like the Portuguese route, you can go between April and October. The Tour du Mont Blanc only runs mid-June to mid-September when the mountain passes are safe to cross. Just remember to check local conditions before you book - some trails, like the ones in Valbona Valley, close down during winter.
What level of physical fitness is required for self guided walking holidays?
Different routes need different fitness levels. Take the Garmisch to Merano walk - you'll cover up to 15 miles a day with some climbs up to 3,280 feet. The Tour du Mont Blanc involves 4-6 hours of walking each day, covering about 7.5-10 miles with climbs up to 3,937 feet. The good news is you can walk at your own speed. As one TourRadar traveler said about the Portuguese Coastal Camino: "ideal for Camino beginners." You'll want good basic fitness and steady feet for most routes.
What type of accommodation can I expect on self guided walking holidays?
You'll sleep in a mix of places, from nice hotels to local guesthouses. On the Garmisch route, for example, you might stay at the Rheinischer Hof or Hotel Flora in Merano. Mont Blanc hikers split their nights between 3-4 star hotels like the Hotel Bichlerhof and simple mountain huts in remote spots. The best part? Most tours move your main luggage between stops, so you only carry what you need for the day.
What emergency support is available during self guided walking holidays?
You're never really alone on these walks. Most tours give you a 24-hour emergency number to call if you need help, like the ones run by Eurohike and Choose Balkans. Local teams are ready to help with any problems. One TourRadar traveler on the Albanian Alps tour said: "Choose Balkans were excellent before and during the self guided Tour, really responsive in answering questions and sorting out issues as they arose."
How detailed are the route instructions provided for self guided walks?
You get everything you need to find your way. Most tours provide digital guides with GPS tracks, maps, and clear directions. On the World Heritage Trail Wachau, you'll get detailed instructions in English or German, plus a navigation app with GPS. A TourRadar traveler who walked the Portuguese Coastal Way confirms: "The briefing and guide notes were excellent and the route was great with well-marked paths and clear directions."
How does luggage transfer work on self guided walking holidays?
Most tours take care of moving your bags. They'll transport one bag per person (up to 44 pounds/20kg) between your stops while you walk with just a daypack. The only exception is usually mountain huts - like on the Tour du Mont Blanc, where you'll need to carry overnight basics. On routes like the World Heritage Trail Wachau, your bags move between hotels every day.
What is included in the meal arrangements on self guided walking tours?
Breakfast is usually included, and many tours cover some dinners too. The Cinque Terre tour includes all your breakfasts and dinners with local specialties. On the Marvels of Madeira, you get 7 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches and 5 dinners. Food quality gets high marks - one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "meals were divine prepared by Giovanni who is co-owner of the hotel and an amazing Chef."